Disappointed But Not Surprised

jakejacobsen
jakejacobsen Posts: 584 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I have been around for awhile, and using exercise amounts from MFP data base or the Machines I use at the gym.

Now I got a Polar FT7 Heart rate monitor and I found out some good information but devastating news.

My work out today:

HRM
45 min Walking 407
20 min Biking 174
20 min Eliptical 207
Workout 788 cal

Machine
45min Walking 343
20 min Biking 607
20 min Eliptical 293
Work out 1243 Difference of 455

MFP
45 min Walking (4mph) 483
20 min Bike Moderate Effort 301
20 min Eliptical 391
Work out 1175 Difference 387

My work out today would have been off by 387 cal based on the MFP data base not that big of a deal until you multiply it out by a week 2709 calories off that is like a day of calories off in just a week. The Machines would be off by 3185 cal for the week. I am glad I never ate back all my exercise calories. I do enjoy how I feel after a work out but I also loved being able to burn what I thought was 1200-2000 Calories a hour.

Replies

  • ls_66
    ls_66 Posts: 395 Member
    I feel your pain.... same boat here, overall I think working out is a positive thing so you thought you were burning more calories than you actually did... no harm, you are progressing toward an healthier future
  • Beezil
    Beezil Posts: 1,677 Member
    Don't feel too bad - I've read that most heart rate monitors are not completely accurate either. :P If you're losing weight, you're obviously doing something right! And if you're literally starving, eat something healthy even if it means eating back some of your exercise cals. <3
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    lol, must have been gutting for you!!! Interesting to know. I just got a plar FT60, some are higher than i expected, some lower so it averages out. Great to have a accurate reading though! Its bad the gym machines are so far out though!
  • groomchick
    groomchick Posts: 610 Member
    Good for you!! HRM are the only way to go....keeps it real!! Don't be disappointed...it will just make you work that much harder!
  • SarahBrown1979
    SarahBrown1979 Posts: 229 Member
    Now I feel like I need to get a HRM! Is there any good but cheap ones out there???
  • Ericgunner
    Ericgunner Posts: 109
    This is a copy of what I posted today, when I entered my exercise and MFP calculated I'd burn that many calories I took it with a pinch of salt. So what use suggested in your blog is useful information.

    Well as you can see I have done my first exercise, in approximately 10 years. I covered 6 miles in 20 min on my exercise bike, I have to say when I got off my legs were like jelly. But that's because I have been a lazy so-and-so. Now I have to pay the price. I can't believe I have burned 315 cal I don't think that is right, I would more likely say it is half that amount. What do you guys think.
  • NicLiving
    NicLiving Posts: 261 Member
    Don't feel too bad - I've read that most heart rate monitors are not completely accurate either.

    I'm starting to think there might be some truth to this statement. My HRM said I burned 500 calories walking 60 mins. Now come on??? Really! I weigh >200 lbs so I knew something wasn't right.
  • Natural4Life
    Natural4Life Posts: 45 Member
    Interesting.....

    Machines - Are never accurate because the people using them are all different sizes. For example someone weighing 120lbs will burn 281 calories walking 4.0mph for 60 minutes versus someone weighing 320lbs will burn 748 calories.... BIG DIFFERENCE!

    I do believe that MFP calculates your calories burned by your recorded weight on your profile. I will double check this.

    Whenever it comes to fitness/exercise you have to keep in mind that everyone burns differently.

    I have a link to a calories burned calculator that goes by weight if you're interested.
  • Natural4Life
    Natural4Life Posts: 45 Member
    I'm starting to think there might be some truth to this statement. My HRM said I burned 500 calories walking 60 mins. Now come on??? Really! I weigh >200 lbs so I knew something wasn't right.

    That is actually correct =)) Great burn btw!
  • jakejacobsen
    jakejacobsen Posts: 584 Member
    Now I feel like I need to get a HRM! Is there any good but cheap ones out there???

    polar ft7 was 89 at heart rate monitors usa I have since heard that if you enter the code POLAR you get a discount. The Ft 4 is a bit cheaper still good just less features
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    I am using Noom/CardioTrainer for Android and it allows me to HRM/GPS real walks, and the HRM also works on the Precor equipment at the gym. It also keeps track of weight and calories consumed. I have translated it to MFP by adjusting the time so it equals the HRM.

    There is no great way to be perfectly accurate. After a few months, you should be able to see if you are losing weigh as your settings promise.
  • SarahBrown1979
    SarahBrown1979 Posts: 229 Member
    Now I feel like I need to get a HRM! Is there any good but cheap ones out there???

    polar ft7 was 89 at heart rate monitors usa I have since heard that if you enter the code POLAR you get a discount. The Ft 4 is a bit cheaper still good just less features

    Thanks!!!
  • kalexander2005
    kalexander2005 Posts: 223 Member
    In general, the more you weigh, the more calories you burn, so the folks who are over 200 are probably burning about what the machines and HRMs say. My HRM was DEAD ON with the new elliptical at my gym. MFP figured the burn a little higher, so I adjusted the calories to reflect my HRM. For me, weighing right around the 200 mark, I was burning about 100 calories for every 10 minutes on a stationary bike. Not bad. I would also do some general calculations based on your target heart rate in the time you are on -- say -- a stationary bike. You can calculate your heart rate pretty easily with a second hand feeling your own pulse. I wouldn't get too stressed over these numbers however. I try to stay in my range of calories eaten regardless of exercise, but I have been known to take a late evening walk to keep from going "over". All in all, I'd say if you are getting your heart rate up to target for 30 min at least 3 times a week and "exercising" (haha) portion control, you should see a difference in how you feel and how your clothes fit. I try to keep it simple. Just friendly advice. :)
  • april_beth
    april_beth Posts: 616 Member
    i feel as tho i am in love with my HRM :)
  • cbirdso
    cbirdso Posts: 465 Member
    Just an observation - I have been using MFP estimates for more than a year to determine how many calories to eat back. (And I do always eat them!) I have lost weight at the rate predicted by MFP. So... there is at least one person out there who has found MFP estimates to be fairly accurate. I have a very old HRM that doesn't show calories, only Heart Rate and time in target range but haven't used it since I began MFP so I don't have any comparisons to post.
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    I wouldmake sure your resting heart rate is set correctly. Take it before you get out of bed in the morning. Some of thse numbers seem low.
  • jakejacobsen
    jakejacobsen Posts: 584 Member
    I wouldmake sure your resting heart rate is set correctly. Take it before you get out of bed in the morning. Some of thse numbers seem low.

    It didn't have me enter it, it only had me enter my age sex height weight
  • gashinshotan
    gashinshotan Posts: 749 Member
    Some ellipitical machines detect HRM bands...
    In general, the more you weigh, the more calories you burn, so the folks who are over 200 are probably burning about what the machines and HRMs say. My HRM was DEAD ON with the new elliptical at my gym. MFP figured the burn a little higher, so I adjusted the calories to reflect my HRM. For me, weighing right around the 200 mark, I was burning about 100 calories for every 10 minutes on a stationary bike. Not bad. I would also do some general calculations based on your target heart rate in the time you are on -- say -- a stationary bike. You can calculate your heart rate pretty easily with a second hand feeling your own pulse. I wouldn't get too stressed over these numbers however. I try to stay in my range of calories eaten regardless of exercise, but I have been known to take a late evening walk to keep from going "over". All in all, I'd say if you are getting your heart rate up to target for 30 min at least 3 times a week and "exercising" (haha) portion control, you should see a difference in how you feel and how your clothes fit. I try to keep it simple. Just friendly advice. :)
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