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

Do you log your lifting?

octopusplum
octopusplum Posts: 46 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I log my exercises by pulling them from fitnotes but I've noticed people adding "strength training". How in the world do you estimate your calories lost? Anyone using this function?

Replies

  • singletrackmtbr
    singletrackmtbr Posts: 644 Member
    I log using a HRM. I know, I know. Cue the comments. It's been working for me, and even if the calorie count isn't right, it still gives me some idea of how hard I worked. I eat them all back, and have had no issues with losing the weight and BF I wanted to lose.

    That's all anecdotal. A large number of people here will either tell you to (A) just let MFP make the estimate for you, or (B) don't log anything for strength training.
  • MsRuffBuffNStuff
    MsRuffBuffNStuff Posts: 363 Member
    I don't log it because I'm lazy ;-) I do have a tracking book I take to the gym though...
  • socioseguro
    socioseguro Posts: 1,679 Member
    @octopusplum
    I learned that calories burned lifting weights are negligible.
    I use an old fashioned notebook and pen to track my exercises, not for the calories.
    I track exercise, 1RM load, sets and reps. This helps me to decide when to upload and deload.
    Many people at the gym, keep track with pen and paper.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    You are talking about logging it on MFP? Yes, when using the MFP calorie goal I did log strength training. It is calculated on minutes.
  • besaro
    besaro Posts: 1,858 Member
    nah
  • grob49
    grob49 Posts: 125 Member
    I have been been logging my workout for years. I tried logging it here but it doesn't give me the choice of logging each lift and every rep like I can in a book.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Under cardio dairy - "strength training". Logged as the total duration for a very rough estimate based on body weight and METS.
  • Misspinklift
    Misspinklift Posts: 384 Member
    I log it in by using my fitness tracker Watch
  • octopusplum
    octopusplum Posts: 46 Member
    Thanks for all the helpful replies! I really love Fitnotes since it helps me graph all my progress but I think logging total time on MFP will be super helpful.
  • colors_fade
    colors_fade Posts: 464 Member
    I don't log my lifting at all. Too easy to want to eat the calories back.

    I figure the extra calories burned during lifting, not counted, is just bonus deficit.

    I don't really care what my exact deficit is every day, or for a whole week. It's better for me if I just focus on consistency. I just try and hit the sedentary calorie goal every day.
  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    I don't log it for the calories... I keep track of my lifts with a notebook at the gym though.
  • Meganthedogmom
    Meganthedogmom Posts: 1,639 Member
    I do not log it in MFP, but I have the SL 5x5 app that tells me what I've done and what I'm doing next. Before I started this program, I would just log everything in the notes on my phone so I could see my progress.
  • iheartdinosaurs
    iheartdinosaurs Posts: 45 Member
    edited October 2016
    I don't specifically eat back exercise calories; rather, I try to make my calorie goal inclusive of my weekly activity (since I am consistently at the gym 6 days a week, split between heavy lifting and bootcamp/dance classes). If I am not losing, i need to tighten up my logging or move my calorie goal down, keeping in mind to eat entough to be fueled and energized - on an extra heavy workout day, I might go over my goal a bit.

    I do like to track the time I exercise so I log the cardio exercise or create my own (e.g. FHC Powerlifting Homework), and only list 1 calorie for those, so I don't get tempted to eat more than I need.

    Lifting/workout specifics - I keep track of by hand in a notebook for now!

    Recently got a Fitbit and so far just ignore most calorie adjustments from it, unless it's a full-day hike or something.
  • erianswilliams
    erianswilliams Posts: 33 Member
    octopusplum wrote: »
    I log my exercises by pulling them from fitnotes but I've noticed people adding "strength training". How in the world do you estimate your calories lost? Anyone using this function?

    I wear a polar heart rate monitor.
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,488 Member
    I add 700 cals a week to my maintenance to cover lifting x3 a week otherwise I start to lose.

    My routine I log in a book. Tried the Jefit app but wasn't consistent- I should give it another go as I am about to start a new cycle.
  • GottaBurnEmAll
    GottaBurnEmAll Posts: 7,722 Member
    I use a notebook. As for calories? My Fitbit has a weightlifting setting, but I usually don't bother. It ends up recording me as having taken a walk since I tend to walk around between sets. I don't usually eat back all of those calories, though.
  • deluxmary2000
    deluxmary2000 Posts: 981 Member
    I use the Jefit app to track my lifts.
    On MFP I just factor it into my activity level and don't log any exercise (unless I do something completely out of the normal).
  • sarahkw04
    sarahkw04 Posts: 87 Member
    I log using my HRM as well. Our warmups are pretty intense circuits that last 10-20 minutes - lots of running, box jumps, etc., before we start slinging around the heavy stuff. I eat to macros, and call it good. In the last 6 weeks, I've lost 4% body fat and gained 2% lean mass, so I say - do what works for you.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories