How do you know how many calories you burn?

Mrse0811
Mrse0811 Posts: 1 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm super new to My Fitnes pal but when I log in my cardio and it asks me how many calories did I burn...I'm clueless! Like seriously, I was hoping they could round it up for me based on time!

Replies

  • Myki3012
    Myki3012 Posts: 152 Member
    Either buy yourself a fitbit or download an app on your phone that will do it for you. Fitbit will be more accurate but if money's an issue and you've got a mobile thats also a pretty good way of tracking.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Mfp should give you an estimate?
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    Mrse0811 wrote: »
    I'm super new to My Fitnes pal but when I log in my cardio and it asks me how many calories did I burn...I'm clueless! Like seriously, I was hoping they could round it up for me based on time!

    Log the activity and time, MFP will give you an estimate after you hit return
  • MrsLannister
    MrsLannister Posts: 347 Member
    An activity tracker with a continuous heart rate tracker will give you a relatively accurate calorie burn for the whole day. If you just want to track exercise, you can get a HR strap with a watch fairly cheap and it will be the most accurate.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    MrsLannister wrote: »
    An activity tracker with a continuous heart rate tracker will give you a relatively accurate calorie burn for the whole day. If you just want to track exercise, you can get a HR strap with a watch fairly cheap and it will be the most accurate.

    A couple of observations.

    A step tracker can be useful in giving an insight into basic activity level, but it's pointless for much gym cardio. What I found is that I'm more active day to day than I thought I was. The only useful element of continuous HR is knowing my Resting Heart Rate, currently 52bpm. Most of the time HR data is a gimmick, although my VivoSmart HR can transmit on ANT+ to my running GPS which avoids using a chest strap.

    I would note that HR as a determinant of calorie expenditure is only valid in a fairly narrow range of circumstances. We'd need to understand more of the cardio activity to appreciate whether it's useful to the originator or not. In most circumstances in a gym, it's not really the best option.
  • olymp1a
    olymp1a Posts: 1,766 Member
    MFP just gives an estimate according to your weight and the minutes you input. The best way to go if you want more accurate readings is an activity tracker with heart rate monitor.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    olymp1a wrote: »
    MFP just gives an estimate according to your weight and the minutes you input. The best way to go if you want more accurate readings is an activity tracker with heart rate monitor.

    Unless of course you're doing something where HR isn't a meaningful indicator of calorie burn...
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    To take a philosophical bend: you don't know. You estimate. Based on studies.

    If you want to know, lock yourself in an insulated box without hvac or external heat gain. Excercise. Measure how much the temperature has risen. That'll give you how much energy you've converted into heat, finding how many calories you've burned frm that data its child's play.
  • olymp1a
    olymp1a Posts: 1,766 Member
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    olymp1a wrote: »
    MFP just gives an estimate according to your weight and the minutes you input. The best way to go if you want more accurate readings is an activity tracker with heart rate monitor.

    Unless of course you're doing something where HR isn't a meaningful indicator of calorie burn...

    True. Strength training for example. :smile:
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    olymp1a wrote: »
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    olymp1a wrote: »
    MFP just gives an estimate according to your weight and the minutes you input. The best way to go if you want more accurate readings is an activity tracker with heart rate monitor.

    Unless of course you're doing something where HR isn't a meaningful indicator of calorie burn...

    True. Strength training for example. :smile:

    Or elliptical, or cardio classes, or Spin, or anything else that involves intervals, or yoga...

    Need I go on?
  • olymp1a
    olymp1a Posts: 1,766 Member
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    olymp1a wrote: »
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    olymp1a wrote: »
    MFP just gives an estimate according to your weight and the minutes you input. The best way to go if you want more accurate readings is an activity tracker with heart rate monitor.

    Unless of course you're doing something where HR isn't a meaningful indicator of calorie burn...

    True. Strength training for example. :smile:

    Or elliptical, or cardio classes, or Spin, or anything else that involves intervals, or yoga...

    Need I go on?

    You can go on if you need to.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,865 Member
    olymp1a wrote: »
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    olymp1a wrote: »
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    olymp1a wrote: »
    MFP just gives an estimate according to your weight and the minutes you input. The best way to go if you want more accurate readings is an activity tracker with heart rate monitor.

    Unless of course you're doing something where HR isn't a meaningful indicator of calorie burn...

    True. Strength training for example. :smile:

    Or elliptical, or cardio classes, or Spin, or anything else that involves intervals, or yoga...

    Need I go on?

    You can go on if you need to.

    As long as it's clear that an HRM will not give the OP what she's after, then that's fine
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    MFP will give you an estimate. The best way to know is to keep a diligent log and track your progress over time.
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