Wear HRM all day to determine ideal weight loss calories?

jmeyer925
jmeyer925 Posts: 326 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I've been using my Polar ft7 for workouts only. But I was wondering if anyone had any input on wearing it all day on a "normal" day, then using that calorie count to determine a good weight calorie count number?

Any advice is appreciated. :smile:
«13

Replies

  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Won't work
  • NickLavato
    NickLavato Posts: 35
    Its my understanding that HRM algorithms are designed to work at higher heart rates only. Meaning its not as accurate at sedetary heart rates, more so at elevated. Thats not to say it wont give you a number of burnt calories for a day, but it wont be very accurate. Bodybug or fitbits are the "claimed" all day units, but Ive only heard mixed results on them. Good luck
  • MaudeBeige
    MaudeBeige Posts: 282
    Won't work

    Why not? :huh: :smile:
  • drummer_lady
    drummer_lady Posts: 150 Member
    Heart rate monitors are only designed to track calories burned with cardio and they are not very accurate for much else. There are some devices that are designed to keep track of your daily burn, like fitbit, but a regular heart rate monitor won't give you a very accurate number.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    Doesn't work that way, sorry :)
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    Won't work

    Why not? :huh: :smile:

    How can a heart rate monitor possible know how many calories you are burning at rest?
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    Not recommended. HRMs are designed to calculate calories burned when you are working out and/or have an elevated heart rate, typically around 125bpm and above for the most accurate counts. So wearing an HRM all day isn't going to be really accurate since you're going to be spending the bulk of your day working out or with an elevated heart rate.

    If you want to know what you're burning all day then you would want something like a BodyMedia Fit/BodyBugg, a Jawbone UP, a Fitbit, or a MyBasis. Those are designed to give you better estimates of your daily burns based off of multiple factors like movement, body temp, and more.
  • eatcleanNtraindirty
    eatcleanNtraindirty Posts: 444 Member
    I don't see why it wouldn't work. It calculates how many calories your burning every second of the day. IMHO it's going to be the most accurate way to get your maintenance calories.

    For you people who think stuff like fitbit and step counters are going to be more accurate, you are out of your minds. The way to keep track of how many calories burned (Even sitting) is best done by a HRM. Even at lower heart rates <60 BPM, it's still calculating how many calories your body burns. It's common sense people.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    I don't see why it wouldn't work. It calculates how many calories your burning every second of the day. IMHO it's going to be the most accurate way to get your maintenance calories.

    For you people who think stuff like fitbit and step counters are going to be more accurate, you are out of your minds. The way to keep track of how many calories burned (Even sitting) is best done by a HRM. Even at lower heart rates <60 BPM, it's still calculating how many calories your body burns. It's common sense people.

    quoted for posterity
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Never mind. Drmerc covered it already.
  • wechoosenow
    wechoosenow Posts: 15
    I use a Fitbit... buyer beware. :)
  • shanmackie
    shanmackie Posts: 194 Member
    love my fitbit, but i think the bodymedia ones might be more accurate. those are made to wear all day.
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    Negative, ghostrider.
  • hiker359
    hiker359 Posts: 577 Member
    Yeah, people have already given the reasons a HRM isn't optimal for figuring out total daily calorie burns. But I just wanted to say congratulations on losing the weight you have. You look fantastic!

    ETA: I once wore my HRM all day just out of curiosity and it gave me a crazy number like 3500 calories burned. It wasn't even a work out day and my TDEE wouldn't be estimated at more than 3,000 calories at the very high end of things. So you can give it a go, but I wouldn't put much faith in the number you get back.
  • johnnlinda
    johnnlinda Posts: 69
    I love my Fitbit! It keeps me moving all day. I use to wear my HRM all day. It was fun just to watch it. It said I burn 5000 to 7000 calories during the day. Only 800 of that was from actual heart pounding workouts. I do go, go, go all day. But that number seemed a bit high. with my fitbit I burn around 3000 a day
  • pixiestick
    pixiestick Posts: 839 Member
    Its my understanding that HRM algorithms are designed to work at higher heart rates only. Meaning its not as accurate at sedetary heart rates, more so at elevated. Thats not to say it wont give you a number of burnt calories for a day, but it wont be very accurate. Bodybug or fitbits are the "claimed" all day units, but Ive only heard mixed results on them. Good luck

    This.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I don't see why it wouldn't work. It calculates how many calories your burning every second of the day. IMHO it's going to be the most accurate way to get your maintenance calories.

    For you people who think stuff like fitbit and step counters are going to be more accurate, you are out of your minds. The way to keep track of how many calories burned (Even sitting) is best done by a HRM. Even at lower heart rates <60 BPM, it's still calculating how many calories your body burns. It's common sense people.

    HRMs calculate calories based on an algorithm that correlates oxygen exchange during aerobic activity to heart rate. How exactly does that apply during rest?
  • jmeyer925
    jmeyer925 Posts: 326 Member
    Was worth a shot! I'm new to the world of HRMs, and appreciate everyone's comments!

    Thanks!

    :flowerforyou:
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,010 Member
    Was worth a shot! I'm new to the world of HRMs, and appreciate everyone's comments!

    Thanks!

    :flowerforyou:

    If you want a guide for TDEE not including various aerobic activities pick up a fitbit or a bodymedia fit. Both will give you a decent estimate. If you want an exact number, eat a certain amount of calories every day for a month....at the end of the month weigh yourself and calculate whether you are eating above or below your TDEE and by how much.
  • _Timmeh_
    _Timmeh_ Posts: 2,096 Member
    Wear it during sexy time.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    Jack's right on the money. Eat a set amount. Weigh monthly. Adjust accordingly.
  • eatcleanNtraindirty
    eatcleanNtraindirty Posts: 444 Member
    I don't see why it wouldn't work. It calculates how many calories your burning every second of the day. IMHO it's going to be the most accurate way to get your maintenance calories.

    For you people who think stuff like fitbit and step counters are going to be more accurate, you are out of your minds. The way to keep track of how many calories burned (Even sitting) is best done by a HRM. Even at lower heart rates <60 BPM, it's still calculating how many calories your body burns. It's common sense people.

    HRMs calculate calories based on an algorithm that correlates oxygen exchange during aerobic activity to heart rate. How exactly does that apply during rest?

    Because your body is still using oxygen at rest. Remember that's why you have to breath 24hrs a day... Not just when you're working out. "Rest" is just when you are at lower aerobic activity. I would consider my "rest" between lifts to be when I'm walking around or talking to people. To other people, their aerobic activity might be walking.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I don't see why it wouldn't work. It calculates how many calories your burning every second of the day. IMHO it's going to be the most accurate way to get your maintenance calories.

    For you people who think stuff like fitbit and step counters are going to be more accurate, you are out of your minds. The way to keep track of how many calories burned (Even sitting) is best done by a HRM. Even at lower heart rates <60 BPM, it's still calculating how many calories your body burns. It's common sense people.

    HRMs calculate calories based on an algorithm that correlates oxygen exchange during aerobic activity to heart rate. How exactly does that apply during rest?

    Because your body is still using oxygen at rest. Remember that's why you have to breath 24hrs a day... Not just when you're working out.

    Serious?
  • jmeyer925
    jmeyer925 Posts: 326 Member
    Was worth a shot! I'm new to the world of HRMs, and appreciate everyone's comments!

    Thanks!

    :flowerforyou:

    If you want a guide for TDEE not including various aerobic activities pick up a fitbit or a bodymedia fit. Both will give you a decent estimate. If you want an exact number, eat a certain amount of calories every day for a month....at the end of the month weigh yourself and calculate whether you are eating above or below your TDEE and by how much.

    It's great advice! Wish I was patient enough and had strong enough will power to do it!
  • eatcleanNtraindirty
    eatcleanNtraindirty Posts: 444 Member
    I don't see why it wouldn't work. It calculates how many calories your burning every second of the day. IMHO it's going to be the most accurate way to get your maintenance calories.

    For you people who think stuff like fitbit and step counters are going to be more accurate, you are out of your minds. The way to keep track of how many calories burned (Even sitting) is best done by a HRM. Even at lower heart rates <60 BPM, it's still calculating how many calories your body burns. It's common sense people.

    HRMs calculate calories based on an algorithm that correlates oxygen exchange during aerobic activity to heart rate. How exactly does that apply during rest?

    Because your body is still using oxygen at rest. Remember that's why you have to breath 24hrs a day... Not just when you're working out.

    Serious?

    I just edited my response. Are you serious?
  • AEFidgets
    AEFidgets Posts: 243
    I recomend a Body Media for a good daily working estimate. I just started using mine and it's been enlightening.
  • katealbright
    katealbright Posts: 134 Member
    Yeah... I tried this.... and it said I need about 500 calories more than what everything else said (MFP, TDEE calculators, etc) lol didn't trust it
  • rwhawkes
    rwhawkes Posts: 117 Member
    I was patient enough and had strong enough will power to do it!

    My dear, you've lost 127 lbs! You are clearly patient and you clearly have strong will power. You are an inspiration to those of us starting out.
  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    I don't see why it wouldn't work. It calculates how many calories your burning every second of the day. IMHO it's going to be the most accurate way to get your maintenance calories.

    For you people who think stuff like fitbit and step counters are going to be more accurate, you are out of your minds. The way to keep track of how many calories burned (Even sitting) is best done by a HRM. Even at lower heart rates <60 BPM, it's still calculating how many calories your body burns. It's common sense people.

    HRMs calculate calories based on an algorithm that correlates oxygen exchange during aerobic activity to heart rate. How exactly does that apply during rest?

    Because your body is still using oxygen at rest. Remember that's why you have to breath 24hrs a day... Not just when you're working out.

    Serious?

    I just edited my response. Are you serious?

    You should just back out now
  • eatcleanNtraindirty
    eatcleanNtraindirty Posts: 444 Member
    Explain it then buddy.

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