SUPER important question!

Pandasarecool

What are your opinions on this...

Today I took a nice 3 mph walk for 40 minutes, did yardwork (removing tree and moving logs etc.) for about 2-2.5 hours. and did day 32 of this: http://www.youtube.com/user/BeFitin90

Now, my question, I have estimated that I burned about 350 calories today. does that sound like too little, too much, what? I was just wondering, because I look at others diaries and see they burn like 200 calories for 40 min. on the elliptical, and like 250 for 30 day shred (Which I am doing a little, and I only put down 150 burned for me) I am 5'7", 18 years old, female, 130 pounds (give or take) I have been hovering around 128-130 pounds the last month and I would like to be 125 and with some muscle.

Thanks for taking the time to consider my dilemma and give me your honest opinions. :happy:

Mokey41

SUPER important answer, since you don't appear to eat your exercise calories back what difference does it make?

melaniecheeks

If you're not eating back your exercise calories then it doesn't much matter!

Different sized people will have different calorie burns for the same exercise.

You must be already at a healthy bmi, is there a reason for your goal weight?

Pandasarecool

SUPER important answer, since you don't appear to eat your exercise calories back what difference does it make?

Just wondering... And the reason for the topic wording was to get peoples attention, because people tend to look at posts if they think what the heck...

I want to know how many calories I burn to see if I need to push harder, because I feel like I am already working hard.

Pandasarecool

You must be already at a healthy bmi, is there a reason for your goal weight?

Mostly just to know I have some wiggle room, I mostly want to look toned though...

Yogi_Carl

SUPER important answer:

Pandas certainly are cool.

Pandasarecool

SUPER important answer:

Pandas certainly are cool.

Yes, yes they are.

But does anybody actually have a REAL answer???:ohwell: :flowerforyou:

skygoddess86

It's just impossible to tell. Too many variables. If it is really important to you think about investing in a heart rate moniter. One with a chest strap, and you'll get the most accurate gauge of your calorie burn. I have a polar, I like it a lot, and I am really surprised how much yard work burns calories. Especially shoveling snow. Great work out.

Dave198lbs

SUPER important answer, since you don't appear to eat your exercise calories back what difference does it make?

this

tvanhooser

Alot of people say the only way to know your calorie burn for sure is to wear a heart rate monitor. But since I don't have one nor the budget to get one at the moment, my next best solution is to take my heart rate every 10 minutes or so and plunk the numbers into the heart-rate based calorie calculator at shapesense.com. Nothing is going to be perfect....it's all a guesstimate. But I figure a calculator that takes into account my own age and weight and fitness level (I estimated my VO2max as it explains on that site so I can use the more accurate one -- going to try to get my doctor to do an actual fitness test when I get in for my next physical) and how hard MY heart was actually working, as opposed to generalizing based on the assumption of an average 150 pound woman (which I am not YET, nor will be when I get to my goal weight) HAS to be closer to the truth than the generic one. I could be wrong, but I'm going with that for all the big stuff anyway. For piddly stuff that are only 5-50 calories, such as my stretches, situps and crunches for warmup, I don't even worry about it and go with whatever MFP gives me for it. But if it makes me breathe hard or sweat, I go with shapesense. Hope that helps!

Dave198lbs

if you only need to drop a few pounds cut back on all those carbs you eat and increase protein then fat and see if that does it for 4 weeks

WinnerVictorious

your 40 min walk alone probably burned about 200 calories, maybe a little less, so i'd say 350 is a close enough estimate for the day.

http://walking.about.com/library/cal/uccalc1.htm

Pandasarecool

if you only need to drop a few pounds cut back on all those carbs you eat and increase protein then fat and see if that does it for 4 weeks

But I am well under my limit for carbs...

Dave198lbs

if you only need to drop a few pounds cut back on all those carbs you eat and increase protein then fat and see if that does it for 4 weeks

But I am well under my limit for carbs...

try for around 75 carbs or so to cut those last few pounds...up your protein to about 90-100g...increase fats to make your calorie total

tishka11

Remember if you are planning to get tones, and thus build muscle, you weight will go up...so dont focus too much on what weight you want to be

Pandasarecool

if you only need to drop a few pounds cut back on all those carbs you eat and increase protein then fat and see if that does it for 4 weeks

But I am well under my limit for carbs...

try for around 75 carbs or so to cut those last few pounds...up your protein to about 90-100g...increase fats to make your calorie total

Why so low? Do I have to do so low forever?

Dave198lbs

if you only need to drop a few pounds cut back on all those carbs you eat and increase protein then fat and see if that does it for 4 weeks

But I am well under my limit for carbs...

try for around 75 carbs or so to cut those last few pounds...up your protein to about 90-100g...increase fats to make your calorie total

Why so low? Do I have to do so low forever?

thats up to you...and that isnt really low...MFP sets macros poorly IMO

to get those last few pounds off can be tough...you dont have to do it this way, but give it a try...you might like it anyway