counting steps...HELP!

Franola27
Franola27 Posts: 30
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
I have started a walking program through my school where we all got pedometers (sp?) and are counting our steps. I was wondering if anyone has any idea how to calculate # of steps into calories burned or time so that it can be added to my excercise. I have no problem when I do my stroller walking with my son but would like to "get credit" so to speak for the newest form of exercise since physical movement is my most difficult task....I am up and down all day with 4 and 5 year olds but am trying to be more conscious of my steps so I am slowly increasing the amount of daily activity. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

Replies

  • lindsaybiedenstein
    lindsaybiedenstein Posts: 1
    If I remember correctly, 2000 steps is about a mile... a mile is about 100 caloriess... so divide your steps by 20 to get the calories...
  • DBiddle69
    DBiddle69 Posts: 682 Member
    Check this out.....
    http://www.ehow.com/how_5598038_calculate-calories-burned-pedometer.html
  • epj78
    epj78 Posts: 643 Member
    Yep - a mile is about 2,000 steps for me. BUT!!!! I don't count it as exercise for "eat back" purposes unless it is power walking -you just don't burn that many calories and it will sabatoge your weight loss goals.

    Are you asking it that way around or more of a "I did 60 minutes of lap swimming, how many steps does that equal" type of way?
  • julieban1
    julieban1 Posts: 39 Member
    If you are just using your pedometer to make sure you are moving around more, you don't want to add any calories to what you are eating (kudos, by the way!). Maybe what you should do is reevaluate your daily activity level. You could change it from sedentary to lightly active, for instance. The amount of calories given to you for daily consumption is figured by the information you entered when you signed up. General walking around is included in that number. Trying to calculate every single calorie you burn during the day & then adding them in as exercise to increase how much you can eat will wind up putting weight on you instead of taking it off.
  • PoleBoy
    PoleBoy Posts: 255 Member
    you can either add the exercise as low speed walking, or if you consistently hit your target for steps you can bump your activity level from sedentary to lightly active
  • epj78
    epj78 Posts: 643 Member
    From experience (because I have recently done this same thing) - I just wouldn't bump up your calories at all. It is FANTASTIC for heart health and will do nothing but help in losing weight - but just adding steps to your daily activity will not sufficiently increase the amount of calories you burn to change from sedentary to lightly active. If you start hitting 20,000+ steps a day you might want to reevaluate.

    I'll tell you I feel 100% better now that I'm getting more activity in (energy level is lots higher), but I know that I don't burn enough calories to change my inputs - I tried it!
  • Franola27
    Franola27 Posts: 30
    I really just want to be able to keep track of how much I am walking and would like to add it in to my diary but not for extra food- just to be sure I am staying on track!
  • Franola27
    Franola27 Posts: 30
    So, I upped my excercise to moderate instead of sedentary and am going to plan on giving myself 100 calories for the time being...as I have easily hit 2000. Now, if only I can get the pedometer to read accurately, then maybe it will help me even more. Thanks so much everyone for the helpful tips!
  • epj78
    epj78 Posts: 643 Member
    I'd put in your "exercise notes" then how many steps you walked that day to keep track. Or you can record it as a custom exercise with no calories assigned to it (or a minimum number)
  • PoleBoy
    PoleBoy Posts: 255 Member
    So, I upped my excercise to moderate instead of sedentary and am going to plan on giving myself 100 calories for the time being...as I have easily hit 2000. Now, if only I can get the pedometer to read accurately, then maybe it will help me even more. Thanks so much everyone for the helpful tips!

    your daily activity level EXCLUDES your additional exercise - otherwise you double count it. Either increase your activity level (but not until you hit 5000 steps or so) or count it as separate exercise - not both
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