log exercise or no?

stormninja11
stormninja11 Posts: 23
in Getting Started
Hello everyone! Just starting here...I tried to search for specifics about this but kept getting information that wasn't quite specific enough, plus I like to read what everyone's opinion is! I was wondering what the general feeling was about logging exercise on MFP. I have been reading quite a bit on the boards and it seems that everyone pretty much agrees that MFP overestimates calories burned when entering exercises. I don't want to risk adding the exercise calories back on if what they are telling me is incorrect. Any thoughts? I am 5'9", weigh 215, and try to walk 45 - 60 minutes a day. MFP states that 45 minutes of moderate walking burns 241 calories. I have read about the HRM but it seems that most people seem to recommend the more expensive ones ($100+) and right now that isn't in the budget. I am generally under my calorie goal (my diary is new, but I've been keeping a paper log for about 2 months now), but still don't want to go over, especially since I don't weigh my food, generally just go on package details, etc.
Any insights would be appreciated! Also any friends for motivation and such would be great too! Thanks.

Replies

  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    200 calories isn't a huge amount either way, try eating half of them and see if you lose faster, slower, or the same as you're expecting. Adjust as needed.
  • mrsidecar
    mrsidecar Posts: 35 Member
    I log it I meantally don't add it in unless I'm in dire need of something and then I try not to use it all.
  • brittk2013
    brittk2013 Posts: 141 Member
    I log mine, but I also use Runtastic when I walk/jog outside. It estimates my calories burned, and I input that. If you think MFP is overestimating, you can always adjust the number of calories burned down to something more realistic.
  • rockmama72
    rockmama72 Posts: 815 Member
    I log mine so I can use the report feature and feel all happy with myself for seeing how many times I exercised. And I also get a little thrill when I can see extra calories add up. For me it's just not an exact thing--I don't really believe the calorie goals or exercise burns given by MFP. I just need to see improvement. If I stop losing weight, I'll evaluate my plan again.
  • squeakyfish
    squeakyfish Posts: 109 Member
    I log them all, but I adjust them. I lost my HRM, so I use my best estimate between MFP and my perceived level of effort. I usually chop off 50-100 calories from MFP. If walking is your main form of exercise, it's pretty easy to estimate. Just determine how far you are walking. You will burn 100 calories per mile whether you run or walk it.
  • EvilTracy
    EvilTracy Posts: 16
    I don't log my exercise, although I do have a FitBit that tracks my calories burned every day. It works in conjunction with MFP. It was $99.99; however, I DID get it on sale for $79.99. (although I do understand that sometimes even $10 is too expensive!)

    For my FitBit, it logs my activity for everything I do, even sleeping, and subtracts how many calories I log in on MFP and gives me a total at the end of the day, positive or negative, and adjusts the calories. It evens logs my sleep, and how many times a night I wake up or am restless. It's my favorite new fitness toy!
  • Whyareyoumad
    Whyareyoumad Posts: 268 Member
    I log everything on MFP, running, weight lifting, everything I do. But, I do use a HRM and log the calories it tells me. There is a difference in what it tells me compared to MFP app, so I go by the HRM.

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