Walking while pushing stroller...how do I log this???

JenniCali1000
JenniCali1000 Posts: 646 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I walk briskly pushing my 25 lb daughter in the jog stroller. Under cardio, I can choose either walking briskly or walking pushing stroller. Walking briskly burns more calories, but pushing stroller burns more than just walking. Sooooo...I walked briskly 45 min while pushing stroller, but I logged it as 45 min walking briskly and am additional 30 min walking while pushing stroller. Total calorie burn was 280. Sound right?! I know I sound crazy, or meticulous, or both, but I just want to be accurate! Lol :)

Replies

  • phjorg
    phjorg Posts: 252 Member
    prob closer to 100 calories burned.

    edit: missed the extra 30min. make that 150 or so.

    you need to subtract your BMR from that number given for the true exercise calorie burn. the 280 would be total burn. normally it's around 2-3 cal/min from BMR.
  • bradwwood
    bradwwood Posts: 371 Member
    i would just put walking briskly and call it good.

    Alternatively, .... what is the difference between "walking" and "walking with stroller"? Is it significant? If not, don't bother trying to figure it out, you are splitting hairs.

    If it is significant, you should take the "walking briskly" and add the percentage variance between "walking" and "walking with stroller". Then divide by the number of minutes to figure out the calories per minute burn rate for the two.

    You would create your own custom exercise and just put in the amount of time you did it, and the cals

    it makes sense in my head. start out by determining if you are splitting hairs or not :D
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    I run with my 3 year old in a jogging stroller. I don't account for the stroller in anyway, just account for whatever speed I'm jogging at, usually 10 minuute miles for short runs and 12 minute miles for runs over 5 miles. I figure the burn is coming more from the act of running than from the stroller, even though it's harder.
  • RawCarrots
    RawCarrots Posts: 204 Member
    I don't take the stroller into account, just log the walking speed and time. My arms are usually quite sore afterwards though so presume I'm gaining strength, my LO is 2st!
  • lexbrundin
    lexbrundin Posts: 2 Member
    Not sure if walking is the same, but I burn less calories running with my kids in the stroller than running alone. I slow down enough to account for the added weight to burn less, though it feels like I should be burning way more. I wear a BodyFit device, so I have compared my actual numbers.
  • tzur21
    tzur21 Posts: 29
    I jog with stroller and also don't take into account the stroller when logging my cardio. It IS however harder for me to run while pushing stroller, but I dont think that equals more calories burned.
  • RawCarrots
    RawCarrots Posts: 204 Member
    BTW I just got my new shiny very first HRM today (yey!!), so in the name of the science I'd try the same brisk walk with and without the stroller few times and will report back next week :smile:
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    Don't account for the stroller unless you're in a really hilly area. Jogging strollers have less resistance than small strollers and don't add much to the workout burn, if anything.
  • activities_girl
    activities_girl Posts: 22
    I have been wondering about this myself. I have a 30 lb kid and a regular stroller. it takes more work than walking myself. also, I work at a nursing home and take residents in wheelchairs for strolls outside and walk at a nice pace. if you have ever pushed a big resident in a doublewide wheelchair, you know that takes some muscle!

    however, I figure if I log less than it is worth, then I will not be tempted to use all the extra calories it earns.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    I would log it as walking...

    Anything extra is just a bonus..
  • BeachIron
    BeachIron Posts: 6,490 Member
    It's walking. As the hottie above noted, jogging strollers don't add much unless there are hills.

    If you really need to be accurate then buy a heart rate monitor.
  • cook6609
    cook6609 Posts: 182 Member
    I have the same issue, but I'm pulling a wagon with two boys weighing about 50 lbs. I walk up hills and then with going downhill I have to keep to wagon from rolling down ahead of me. I just log it as walking at 3 mph. I know I burn more than the 133 calories that it gives me (especially due to the hill I have to climb), but at least this way I know I'm not over estimating. I don't really have the money to buy an HRM to get a complete accurate reading. At least it's exercise and it's a good chance for my boys to get out in the fresh air.
  • marylowery2
    marylowery2 Posts: 20 Member
    I log it as pushing a stroller with child. It comes up on my exercises. Then I use my HRM to monitor the calories

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