So is this a good thing?

loadsandloads

Okay I do mostly cardio and have noticed lately that my calorie burn seems to be decreasing even though duration isn't decreasing. Now before you ask, my calorie burn is based on Polar FT7 readings that does have all my personal info. I assumed as the weight goes down the calorie burn does as well. Does it also have to do with I have to work harder to get the same heart rate? Does this mean I'm getting in better shape? As the topic says.......is this a good thing?

iAMsmiling

Have you kept the HRM up to date on your weight? That could cause a lower recorded calorie burn.
Also, have you noticed your average heart rate going down? You say duration isn't going down...how about average/total heart beats? That would also cause a lower recorded burn.

So, yea, if it's one of those things, it's good. Now that you can, work harder.

Dexy_

In general, the smaller you are, the harder you have to work to burn calories. It's the sad truth

But yes, make sure you update your weight on the Ft7 every couple of kgs.

EatClean_WashUrNuts

As you continue your cardio training your heart and lungs get healthier and it takes less to do the same. If you want to keep your overall burns high, train hard. Increase the resistance, mix up the cardio, and add strength training.

Azdak

If your weight decreases, and you update the settings on the HRM, then, yes, the calorie display number will go down.

If weight is the same and heart rate is decreasing, but workload is the same, and the HRM shows a lower number--you are burning the same calories, but your fitness level has increased and you have not updated your HRM to reflect this.

In reality, if you have been working out long/hard enough to decrease your weight and/or have been working out long/hard enough to see a reduction in heart rate for the same workload, then you should be increasing your intensity.

hiker359

Yes, the more you workout, the more efficient your body becomes and the more your body becomes conditioned. So the same activities done over long periods of time will yield lower calorie burns as you become used to them. This is the reason that it's important that you don't do any one activity for too long a time. Your body only continues to adapt as long as you throw new stuff at it. So in order to get higher calorie burns, you have to either work out longer, or find variations of the exercise that boosts your heart rate more.

PS: Weight may or may not be correlated to the changes in calorie burns. It's all based on the condition of your cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Azdak

Yes, the more you workout, the more efficient your body becomes and the more your body becomes conditioned. So the same activities done over long periods of time will yield lower calorie burns as you become used to them. This is the reason that it's important that you don't do any one activity for too long a time. Your body only continues to adapt as long as you throw new stuff at it. So in order to get higher calorie burns, you have to either work out longer, or find variations of the exercise that boosts your heart rate more.

PS: Weight may or may not be correlated to the changes in calorie burns. It's all based on the condition of your cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

"Efficiency" does not result in reduced calorie burn, if weight is the same.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Azdak/view/calories-burned-during-exercise-it-s-the-intensity-not-the-heart-rate-that-counts-26524