Am I logging my walks correctly?

mchapman204
mchapman204 Posts: 2 Member
edited January 26 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, I recently downloaded a walking app to my phone. I live in a hilly neighborhood and it takes that into account so for a 1.3 mile 35 minute walk, it tells me I've burned 265 calories.

In comparison, typing in dog walk in the exercise database here gives me "Walking, 3.0 mph, mod. pace, walking dog" and it says I only burn 166 calories in 35 minutes.

That's quite a difference. Am I safe to go by the info given to me on the walking app or should I be going by the database? Most likely the app, but I just want to make sure. Thanks in advance for your advice. :)

Replies

  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    You can try doing the walking uphill on here to see the burn. Does the phone app know your weight? I use an online treadmill calculator for times when I vary my pace or use incline, and it's always rather high, so I shave 50 ish calories off. I've also done averages before as well.
  • GnomeLove
    GnomeLove Posts: 379
    I have a GPS app that tracks me, hills and everything, when I walk my dog. I use that and just change the values in the database here.

    The app I have is called Cardio Trainer.
  • katinachaos
    katinachaos Posts: 90 Member
    I would suggest getting a heart rate monitor to get a more accurate idea. The info on MFP has been off by 30-40% compared to my HRM (my 30 minute circuit would say I burned 450 calories and my HRM says 300). Does the walking app take into account your age, sex, weight, etc?
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    I use Runtastic, and it gives a slightly higher burn than MFP. But it knows my weight, so I don't know what's accurate.

    I think it depends on whether or not you'll be eating those exercise calories back. Maybe pick a number in between the 2 and eat those? lol
  • LouiseH238
    LouiseH238 Posts: 199 Member
    You're walking about 2.2mph, if my maths is right. MFP tells me that if I walk for 35 minutes at 3.5mph uphill I'd burn 340 calories (I weigh 214.) So if you're of a similar weight then it sounds like your app is right-ish.
  • itsmandible
    itsmandible Posts: 88 Member
    I use an app to log my runs that's called Map My Run! It always gives me a higher calorie count than MFP, because it knows the incline you're doing. Think about walking on a treadmill with an incline - that burns more calories than flat walking. You're doing yourself a favor with the walking app, it's giving you more accuracy!
  • SDkitty
    SDkitty Posts: 446 Member
    I only log when I'm wearing my HRM, I've just gotten so many conflicting calorie counts between MFP, other sites, apps and machines that I just don't trust anything else.

    If you can't use an HRM I would go with the lowest number for the simple fact that I generally eat my exercise calories.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I would suggest getting a heart rate monitor to get a more accurate idea. The info on MFP has been off by 30-40% compared to my HRM (my 30 minute circuit would say I burned 450 calories and my HRM says 300). Does the walking app take into account your age, sex, weight, etc?

    This!^

    Calorie burns use so many factors ..... exertion level is one that your app (and MFP) can't know. Sure, your neighborhood is hilly..... but if you are currently fit ... the calorie burn is lower .... if you are not fit .....the calorie burn is higher.

    The HRM (chest strap is best) compares your "resting heart rate" .... to your exercise heart rate. Chest strap models compare electrical impules from your heart (all the time) ....wrist only models compare "time to time" .... and there is much more movement so it's less accurate.

    Many people here on MFP use the lowest number or a % of MFPs number when they don't want to use a HRM.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    It's questionable. My HRM (that I trust) says twice as much as MapMyRun, and pretty close to what MFP says (sometimes slightly more). If i used a machine at the gym I find it's pretty right on to what my HRM says.

    If it was me I'd take the middle of both readings (about 200) and eat 1/2 to 3/4 of those calories back, but different people do different things.
  • mchapman204
    mchapman204 Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks all for the responses. I use the "Mapmydogwalk" app which is pretty much the same as "Mapmyrun". It does have me input my age, height, and weight. The HRM sounds like a good idea though. I'll have to look into that. Holy moly there's a lot of different ones on Amazon.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    I have a Polar FT4, greatest investment ever. Never workout without it and if I do I feel like I'm missing something. I think I paid about $70.
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