How do YOU log your workouts and exercise?

777twist · May 2013

I'm just wondering how everyone logs and tracks their workouts. I have seen a lot of various ways, and I'm wondering for some things, what's the logic. And beyond logic, does it matter that much until you hit major plateaus.

For example, I just bought a FitBit One, and I'm going to use that to let it tell MFP what my daily activity is, and take it off when I work out. However, I will wear a heart rate monitor for all workouts. I do have to estimate for things like swimming since my HRM isn't water proof, and I don't think the Fitbit One is either.

But I have also read that some people deduct their BMR from their Heart Rate monitor data... I'm wondering is that even necessary? Again, maybe if we hit plateaus, but short of that, I'm not seeing the need.

But what is your method for entering your workout data?

Do you guess, and if so, what are you guessing at? How are you judging intensity? Are you looking up MET's online?

I have searched and I couldn't find one good place with all the information. Maybe we can get something compiled for everyone.

AnJulNZ · May 2013

I don't have any fancy equipment like a heart rate monitor.

My exercise consists of walking and Jillian Michaels workouts. I enter the workouts as circuit training for the length of time. I have the Runtastic app on my phone which uploads automagically to MFP when I go walking.

It's working for now, when it stops I'll evaluate things.

rosebarnalice · May 2013

I'm sloppy. I choose the defaults of "moderate effort" or "light effort" and put in the time I spend at it. Now, I will say that I suspect MFP overestimates the number of calories burned, so when I'm looking at my daily allowance, I mentally subtract out about half of the exercise calories that MFP gives me.

These days my average workout is about 30 minutes on elliptical + 30 minutes on stationary bike, which MFP says is ~650 calories burned. But of those, I'll try to only eat back about 400 to 350.

moni_tb_192 · May 2013

I'm using my Fitbit zip to track my daily steps and my running... I just log exercise when I do some work on the elliptical, or when I do circuit training. But to keep a record on my running, I use another app (RunKeeper).

quiltlovinlisa · May 2013

I don't have a heart rate monitor but conveniently, my mom and I walk a track that's .6 miles, so we know, five laps is three. We do five laps in an hour and I log an hour of walking at 3mph. So not guess, just logically deducing it. I do the same when I bike.

Right now I'm working on a healthier me, so being precise isn't a huge concern of mine. Of course, I have more than 90 pounds until my goal weight., it's still fairly easy to lose as long as I'm being honest with myself concerning exercise and eating. Down the line, I may need more precision, right now, just building good habits is my concern.

majope · May 2013

For running I use a Garmin, which is said to be accurate within 10%. I don't wear it to Pilates classes or for 30DS workouts, though--I checked a few online calculators for those activities and MFP seems close enough.

I'm losing weight more or less at the rate I should, so I don't worry about perfection when it comes to exercise calories.

shadow2soul · May 2013

I'm just wondering how everyone logs and tracks their workouts. I have seen a lot of various ways, and I'm wondering for some things, what's the logic. And beyond logic, does it matter that much until you hit major plateaus.

For example, I just bought a FitBit One, and I'm going to use that to let it tell MFP what my daily activity is, and take it off when I work out. However, I will wear a heart rate monitor for all workouts. I do have to estimate for things like swimming since my HRM isn't water proof, and I don't think the Fitbit One is either.

But I have also read that some people deduct their BMR from their Heart Rate monitor data... I'm wondering is that even necessary? Again, maybe if we hit plateaus, but short of that, I'm not seeing the need.

But what is your method for entering your workout data?

Do you guess, and if so, what are you guessing at? How are you judging intensity? Are you looking up MET's online?

I have searched and I couldn't find one good place with all the information. Maybe we can get something compiled for everyone.

Is your fitbit synced with MFP?

You don't need to take it off when you workout. If you log your exercise with the correct time and duration on MFP, it will override whatever fitbit data is there.

The reason people deduct calories from their HRM burn is to take into account their bmr. With a fitbit, you don't need to do this, since it already takes it into account.

Goodluck

**I have a Fitbit Zip and Pyle HRM. I haven't had my zip for long (got it April 26), and according to it's data, I should have only lost a little over 2lbs, but I'm actually down 4.9lbs.**

lilpoindexter · May 2013

Say the elliptical at the gym says 500 cals...I p ut in whatever time mfp has for the elliptical that gets close to 500 cals.

just4nessa · May 2013

I use my Polar HRM only during cardio, but I leave also wear my Fitbit One as well to get a proper adjustment. Once I log the cardio into MFP, both Fitbit and MFP adjust the calories for that time period based on the time and calorie burn from my HRM. For daily activity and strength training, I only use the Fitbit. I think the Fitbit is underestimating my activity slightly, but I"m ok with that because the results are positive for me.

SrJoben · May 2013

I put in whatever the calorie readout on the treadmill says when I use that. When I walk outside I bring my GPS to track time/distance/speed.

I use the Calisthenics Light/Moderate and Calisthenics Vigorous settings for simple bodyweight exercises and other cardio, depending on how hard I'm sweating.

I use Strength Training for harder bodyweight stuff on the limits of what I can do at all, and anything with free weights.

That's just to get in the ballpark for calories btw. I'm using Fitocracy to log my workouts in detail to monitor strength/endurance progress.

marie_2454 · May 2013

I calculated my TDEE (using scoobysworkshop.com), then subtracted 20% and that's my daily calorie goal. I still log my exercise to help keep track of what I do, but I manually change the calories burned to 1, since my calories burned from exercise are already calculated as part of my TDEE. This works out best and easiest for me.

Also, MFP and the majority of machines generally overestimate the calorie burns.

ahmadfahmy · May 2013

fitocracy and big lifts

Lupercalia · May 2013

I don't log any exercise here at MFP. I keep a small spiral notebook with me at the gym to record weights/sets/exercises, then when I get home I track everything on Fitocracy.

pinkraynedropjacki · May 2013

HRM for when I'm working out. Fitbit One for when I'm working out/walking/running/sitting/standing.... basically I wear it 24/7 so it does log everything. No need to take it off when working out cause then you miss out on recorded steps (I get at least 12,000 per workout)

I walk heaps so if I don't wear my fitbit then I really am missing out, but then when I'm out walking I am using runtastic to record the distance anyway so it makes no difference calorie wise, I'm always burning more than fitbit can give me.

I log everything that my HRM gives me via here. None of this subtract bull cause I will easily burn what it gives me. I've lost more weight with my HRM than before I had it.

MyChocolateDiet · May 2013

I give myself NO credit for working out on setting cal goals. Because my schedules crazy and i might not do it and i'd hate to have eaten for working out 3 days and not having done it. so my workouts i just use whatever MFP gives me for whatever lenght of time i did whatever activity. these vary too, so i figure if there are innacuracies they will level out since i do so much different stuff. then i eat some cals back. on the days i do them. which works out great because those happen to be the days i'm hungrier.

hhayes06 · May 2013

I calculated my TDEE (using scoobysworkshop.com), then subtracted 20% and that's my daily calorie goal. I still log my exercise to help keep track of what I do, but I manually change the calories burned to 1, since my calories burned from exercise are already calculated as part of my TDEE. This works out best and easiest for me.

Also, MFP and the majority of machines generally overestimate the calorie burns.

I also calculated my TDEE to include exercise so therefore I do not log exercise on here. I list my exercises in the daily note section of my food diary. This helps me keep track of what I have done without giving me extra cals. It works for me.

Joehenny · May 2013

I use evernote to track my strength gains and losses. Primarily been a lot of losses on this cut though lol

JJordon · May 2013

Whatever workout I do? Is custom logged for duration and I manually fill in 1 calorie.

It burns whatever it burns. I push. I track my lifts, too. And as long as I track my food/macros/etc? I'm golden.

blackcloud13 · May 2013

Manually record here via my phone 90% of the time. My runs are tracked by Runkeeper, I trust my exercise bike's timing and distance estimates, and I have pushup/situps etc recorded and uploaded automatically from Runtastic.

I ignore the calorie burn from my HRM as it seems way too generous; usual at least twice what everything else seems to think

MarioLozano16 · May 2013

Pen and paper

sijomial · May 2013

I use my Polar FT7 HRM for all cardio in the gym and also for cycling.
(HRM isn't just for estimating calories - I use it for heart rate zone training.)

My logic is I don't bother subtracting BMR - everything is an estimate including food intake and exercise so I work on consistency rather than seeking an unobtainable accuracy.

I also use my HRM to record my circuit training.
(Yes I'm aware of the accuracy doubts and issues of HRMs and strength training but as I do a fast-paced routine with heart rate elevated it's probably a reasonable estimate. Again consistency rather than perceived accuracy.)

For non-cardio or gym activities I don't bother recording anything less than 100 calories. For things like gardening or walking I just estimate 200 - 250 calories an hour. My activity level is set to sedentary so I log and eat back exercise and significant calorie burning activities.

777twist · May 2013

Good info... It's interesting to see how everyone does it.

One thing I probably didn't mention is I ONLY log exercise/workouts when I'm actually performing a workout. Meaning, I don't treat long walks, or anything else I do daily or semi-daily separately. I play Ping Pong almost daily, and twice a day many days. But I don't like counting that as exercise because it's so often. So I just treat it like daily activity and increased my Daily Activity setting.

Also, one nice thing about the Fitbit is how it tracks your day... like this weekend, I have been SUPER lazy, I haven't done much... I'm still recovering from a toe sprain though. But my point is, Fitbit has reduced my calories a lot. Though, I have eaten way over even my normal calories. So my point is, I like of like the logic of the Fitbit in that if I'm having a lazy day, I really don't need as many calories.

Say someone has a calorie goal of 2000/day. I guess normal logic is there are going to be days you go way over in terms of burning, and their going to be days that you are under. And it should all balance out. I'm wondering if this is the best choice, or should we follow what Fitbit says and if it's a lazy day, maybe only eat 1500?

I will try wearing my Fitbit with my HR monitor to see how that works out.

Alexandra289 · May 2013

I've been logging everything including little walks using MFP settings. I might stop though because I'm sure it's pretty inaccurate. Basically, it doesn't matter that much to me. I find that I've been losing weight eating around 1700-1800 calories a day. I don't need to go over this but I wouldn't go under because I think I need that much to survive day to day! I don't necessarily eat back my exercise calories but I'm also happy to go over on days I haven't been to the gym - no way could I survive on the 1275 calories I'm supposed to have!!

pinkraynedropjacki · May 2013

Good info... It's interesting to see how everyone does it.

One thing I probably didn't mention is I ONLY log exercise/workouts when I'm actually performing a workout. Meaning, I don't treat long walks, or anything else I do daily or semi-daily separately. I play Ping Pong almost daily, and twice a day many days. But I don't like counting that as exercise because it's so often. So I just treat it like daily activity and increased my Daily Activity setting.

Also, one nice thing about the Fitbit is how it tracks your day... like this weekend, I have been SUPER lazy, I haven't done much... I'm still recovering from a toe sprain though. But my point is, Fitbit has reduced my calories a lot. Though, I have eaten way over even my normal calories. So my point is, I like of like the logic of the Fitbit in that if I'm having a lazy day, I really don't need as many calories.

Say someone has a calorie goal of 2000/day. I guess normal logic is there are going to be days you go way over in terms of burning, and their going to be days that you are under. And it should all balance out. I'm wondering if this is the best choice, or should we follow what Fitbit says and if it's a lazy day, maybe only eat 1500?

I will try wearing my Fitbit with my HR monitor to see how that works out.

Long walks are still exercise. Anything other than doing noting is. I walk 17km to get a light globe. I walked 23km to get some mascara. In a few days I'm walking 46km to get something from a shop a few suburbs away. It will take me about 8 hours of solid non stop walking. I'm going to be logging it. It's counted as exercise & will burn an enormous amount. I walk daily, I don't drive & hate public transport. So I walk everywhere..... it's a daily thing & I still count it as exercise.

IzzyBooNZ1 · May 2013

I calculated my TDEE (using scoobysworkshop.com), then subtracted 20% and that's my daily calorie goal. I still log my exercise to help keep track of what I do, but I manually change the calories burned to 1, since my calories burned from exercise are already calculated as part of my TDEE. This works out best and easiest for me.

Also, MFP and the majority of machines generally overestimate the calorie burns.

yep this is what I am doing now

candymara · May 2013

I use my bodymedia link armband and android app to track my exercise. I rarely log exercise on MFP since the bodymedia app and site track it for me and it's synchedwith my MFP account.

I like the convenience and accuracy this method provides. I leave my armband on day and night only take it off to charge while I shower or swim and it lets me manually add swim burns on the bodymedia site.

How do YOU log your workouts and exercise?

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