We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

accurate calorie loss

jrwillden
jrwillden Posts: 3
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I am curious if anyone can explain why my calorie loss displays differently on the 2 monitors I use.

My treadmill (no weight or age entered) says I lost 270 calories when I walked for 30 min at 3.5 MPH, uphill.
My Mio HRM (weight and age entered) says 121 calories at the same speed and time.
And actually, when I enter my exercise on this site it usually gives me a completely different figure but closest to the treadmill total.


Is my Mio that off or is it the accurate one?

Replies

  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    I'd go with the Mio - it's taking in far more precise factors (your HR plus age/weight) in estimating your calorie burn. The fact is, they are all estimates. The treadmill without weight or age is a pretty generic, useless (non-reliable) formula. MFP, while it does take age/weight into account, doesn't have the heart rate factor and I find tends to estimate on the high side for most things. You're safest going with the reading from your HRM.
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
    Trust your HRM because it has your age and weight documented.
  • clioandboy
    clioandboy Posts: 963 Member
    it is hard to say what is accurate and what isnt, they all only offer a guide, eg my new hrm gives me soooooo many less calories than mfp and as it has by age height weight and heart rate I am going with that. I was a bit pi@@ed off at first but I have got my head round the fact that IF it is the accurate one I need to be eating with that as a guide and not outrageously high numbers coz i wont lose.....
  • Bluesmilie
    Bluesmilie Posts: 161 Member
    You can go with your threadmill just manually enter it so that you get the credit :)
  • Thanks for the info. I guess it is better to be safe than sorry and log the Mio figure.

    Especially since this site makes me think I can eat more than I should after a workout. I like that feature on days when I'm craving something sweet but getting my exercise calories back doesn't always help this lover of food!

    Thanks for responding!
  • ChristyDPierce
    ChristyDPierce Posts: 36 Member
    i go with what my Polar F11 HR monitor watch states....it has my height/weight plugged in, plus it is measuring my heart....so it can be a little more close to accurate...i don't think ANYTHING is ever ACCURATE tho... :( Good Luck :D
This discussion has been closed.