Overestimate of calories burned???

tappae

I've seen the opposite problem. MFP is usually under my HRM numbers. It's all just estimates, though, based on formulas. It's never going to be 100% accurate. I don't think any method is going to be accurate outside of a limited time frame of strenuous exercise.

For instance, I just plugged 24 hours of fishing from a boat into the database and it came back with about twice my TDEE.

sclindi

The estimate of calories burned goes down as your weight does- my friend weighs twice what I do, and her calories burned for the same activity are much higher than mine. There are some websites where there is a calculator to judge your calories burned based upon your weight, age, and fitness level- they're similar.

rextcat

to the op ....both

bethdris

I didn't read all the responses, but MFP really over estimated my burned calories..I bought a Polar FT4 from amazon (it came with a chest strap) and I go by that!!

autumnk921

The calories on MFP's database are individually put in by anyone on here....When I add an exercise to the database I do it based on what my HRM says for MY weight, height, etc....So, it will be a different burn unless you are at MY weight at least...When someone else has added the exercise for themselves you have to put in YOUR own numbers for you from an HRM, which is what I do...Someone like me who weighs 163lbs will burn more than someone who is 120lbs...So this is why it is not accurate...I hope this helps out people who use the database on here...

ginnyz1

I was a little surprised to see how much I get for gardening, but I've been losing so far, so maybe it's fairly accurate. Maybe if you underestimate the amount of time, things will balance out?

cPT_Helice

It's simply not possible to get precise exercise calorie numbers. They're ALL rough estimates. I feel like the figures for lighter activities like walking are way over-estimated. I never log that stuff because I feel like if walking, even for several miles, is so strenuous for me that I need to eat more to fuel it, something is very wrong.

HRM's aren't that accurate for counting calories. They SEEM really accurate and authoritative because they have a digital display- but they're not. They can be in the right ballpark, though IF you calibrate it with a good VO2 MAX figure or you happen to fit perfectly into one of their fitness/age profiles. But all that can go out the window if you didn't get enough sleep, had some coffee, are in a bad mood, are getting sick, etc.

^^^This! Yes^^^
And check out this article for more info: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/04/health/la-he-calorie-counters4-2010jan04

grapeeyes1

I have a Polar FT40 and can tell you that MFP way over estimates. I was stalled, and then got my HRM and started losing again.

rurumomo

Yes sometimes I do..... because when I look at other calculator online it tells me less calories for the same exercise idk.....

autumnk921

The calories on MFP's database are individually put in by anyone on here....When I add an exercise to the database I do it based on what my HRM says for MY weight, height, etc....So, it will be a different burn unless you are at MY weight at least...When someone else has added the exercise for themselves you have to put in YOUR own numbers for you from an HRM, which is what I do...Someone like me who weighs 163lbs will burn more than someone who is 120lbs...So this is why it is not accurate...I hope this helps out people who use the database on here...

I put a link on here in case anyone wants to check it out:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/619000-mfp-exercise-database-why-it-s-not-accurate-for-you

NotThePest

Don't no machines for calorie count and for years I guesstimated how much I burned exercising. In 2010, EASA 2.0 came out (EA Sports Active 2.0) and it had a heart rate monitor/sensor and I really liked that (Wii; PS3 and x-Box) I could track my h/r. Then people said that the monitor wasn't accurate. What did I know, I didn't have one. Then two weeks ago, I purchased a Polar 60FT 'cause EA shut down it's servers so I couldn't track my workouts on line and participate with the groups we formed so the groups migrated over to MFP.

I have made my on little exercise names and enter the calorie burn on that. Before I couldn't really track what I burned doing the other video games (Zumba2; Exerbeat; Get Fit W/Mel B, etc) but now I can. Love the Polar. By the way the Polar and EASA's H/R moniters usually match up rather well overall. But I love my Polar and I love the computer's trainer that uses your past weeks workout to determine how long you should workout in the three different Heart Rate Zones, luv it, luv it, luv it.

mlb929

I'm older and use a HRM. I find that the calories here are always under on long runs its by a lot, 300 calories today. But I assume the it's because of an age adjustment. I generally use the mfp figure just because it is lower.