Exercise-how do you keep track? what do you count as exercise?how much do you eat back?

Tatarataa
Tatarataa Posts: 178 Member
edited November 2024 in Getting Started
I am confused about how to keep track on exercise (MFP, other net ressources,heart rate monitor, fitbit....), what I should count as exercise (the mall walks as well or only gym exercise...) and finally how much I should eat back (100%, 50%, none, ...., especially as I heard that it is easy to overestimate the calories burnt by exercise). What are youd doing? What is your advice?

Replies

  • tenakakahn
    tenakakahn Posts: 1
    I ride a bike.
    I use Strava.
    I link Strava to MyFitnessPal.
    I then over estimate my food intake and underestimate exercise.
    I have lost ~12kg this year so far (~110-~97).
  • _runnerbean_
    _runnerbean_ Posts: 640 Member
    You can do it two ways. If you set your activity level to "sedentary" on MFP then you can count all activity as extra- eg cleaning the car, walk to the shops etc. if you set your activity level to "moderately active" etc then only log hard exercise like gym sessions or runs. Eat back around half of your exercise calories as MFP tends to over estimate exercise calories. You can use an activity tracker like a fitbit to monitor your everyday activity if you like (I set my activity level to sedentary then eat back some of my fitbit calories. ) hope this all makes sense!
  • megomerrett
    megomerrett Posts: 446 Member
    As a rule I only count the activity that requires a sports bra!!! Everything else is stuff I'd do when I was (and still am as I'm only just back with MFP) chubby. I sometimes count dog walking but depends how fast and far I go. Also, if I have my 3 year old with me we go at his pace and although we might end up skipping/racing I don't count it. My activity level is set as sedentary as I work at a desk.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    I use a Fitbit, and whatever calorie adjustment it makes I eat back, everything else I consider recreational and don't count it or track it.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Personally, I set a fixed calorie amount based on a rate of loss I've calculated out using my data on here (tool is available in my profile).

    Fitbit for walking.
    Garmin device for running, cycling. Sometimes, I eat back, usually not.
    Gym and climbing, I don't track calories.

    The actual method you chose doesn't matter.
    Choose one, stick to it. Observe. Adjust.
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