Myfitnesspal vs. MapmyWalk

mgpryor37
mgpryor37 Posts: 10
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been using both apps, myfitnesspal and mapmywalk. Here is my question. When I finish my walks the mapmywalk app will say I burned x amount of calories. When I figure the speed I walked and for how many total minutes and put it into myfitnesspal it is always less. Which one is more reliable in your opinion? I always take the lesser of the two and just wonder if this is the correct or even smart way of doing things.

Replies

  • witmer1
    witmer1 Posts: 128 Member
    I always go with the lower amount of calories. I'd rather underestimate my exercise and stay under my calorie goal. I don't eat back my exercise calories, but I think apps have a tendency to overestimate the exercise calories and people who do eat their exercise calories eat too much back.
  • NadirToZenith
    NadirToZenith Posts: 62 Member
    I agree. It's better to underestimate because I think, in general, we also tend to underestimate our food calories on occasion. At least I do LOL I use mapmyrun to map my walks and compare it to the results on my fitbit flex. Neither is perfect and they rarely are even. But at least we get an idea :)
  • mgpryor37
    mgpryor37 Posts: 10
    Thanks everyone. I do eat back my calories on some days but not all. I thought the same, I would rather go with the lesser one to be safe. I have been looking at the fitbit items. Actually, when I hit my first goal weight of 20 pounds, that is my gift to myself. Are they more reliable?
  • BobcatGirl110
    BobcatGirl110 Posts: 364 Member
    I use both apps too and I go by the MapMyWalk (only because it not only is calculating based on speed and weight but also your inclines) but I also don't eat back my exercise calories so perhaps if you do eat them back it is better to go with the lower number so you know you are eating at a deficit :)
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    A good way to sanity check the net calories expended is : .30 x your body weight in lbs x distance in miles

    http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning?page=single

    In the context of weight loss you're only interested in net calories expended as they represent the additional calories expended as a direct result of the exercise (many calculators give you the gross calories which include the calories you would expend during that time even if you were lying in bed).

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