Calories burned???

AnnaK812
AnnaK812 Posts: 48 Member
edited October 6 in Fitness and Exercise
Should I get a HRM and start entering the actual calories I burn during a workout? I feel like the amount of calories burned cannot be the same for every single person who does 30 minutes of cardio, weight training, etc. For anybody who has a HRM, have you noticed a descrepancy between what was already programmed into MFP and your actual burn?

Replies

  • jrditt
    jrditt Posts: 239 Member
    Yes I do notice a difference, MFP way over states the amount of calories I apparently burn so I just wear the HRM whenever I am exercising, it's not a super fancy one but I figure at least I am not eating those extra calories that MFP says I am burning when I am not.
  • Corlynn2
    Corlynn2 Posts: 4 Member
    What is an HRM? I have been looking for something inexpensive, that can track calories burned..
  • daterminedfatburnerX
    daterminedfatburnerX Posts: 346 Member
    HRM is heart rate monitor thats the one that tracks your calorie burn
  • kristinpruis
    kristinpruis Posts: 8
    Heart Rate Monitor. You can pick up a watch version which is pretty nifty and enter your weight. It will check your pulse and can better gauge the calories you burn. I think mine may have been like 25 bucks.
  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    Yes!!! Get a HRM!! Best thing I ever did - I have increased my intensity at the gym because I thought I was working hard.... but I really wasn't.
  • terrigrace
    terrigrace Posts: 199 Member
    I have a cheapie Reebok heart rate monitor that i bought on amazon about 4 years ago. Its a watch with a chest strap that monitors my heart rate while I work out. I have to plug in my weight/height/age and it shows my calorie burn. They do seem to be pretty accurate, though some people on here will debate about that, since I can lose weight using the calorie counts it gives me. The database can be accurate about some things, not so much on others. When i compared it to my HRM numbers, it was dead on with my calorie burn while bowling. But seriously overestimated my burn for walking and using my elliptical trainer. Guess it depends on the person.
  • mallorybriann
    mallorybriann Posts: 1,380 Member
    I feel it allows me to work out more efficiently.
    I can run/jog (5 to 6 mph) or walk at a very high incline (3 mph 12+ incline) and my heart rate will be the same.
    I'd much rather walk :)
    Plus it's motivating to see the cals burn go up and uppp!
  • Nikki582
    Nikki582 Posts: 561 Member
    When I do strength days, if i plug it into MFP is says 124 cals burned, but my HRM says 250... so yeah, big difference :)
  • AnnaK812
    AnnaK812 Posts: 48 Member
    thanks everyone!!! I think I'll definitely be getting a HRM!
  • Corlynn2
    Corlynn2 Posts: 4 Member
    Yes thanks for the information... Going to buy one today!!!
  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    In my opinion, calculating calories burned is inaccurate, unnecessary nit-picking. I prefer to keep calories and activity consistent, and make minor adjustments when progress stalls.
  • xsmilexforxmex
    xsmilexforxmex Posts: 1,216 Member
    My HRM usually gives me a number higher than MFP... I LOVE it and it is more comforting to know I have something more based off my resting HR and personal stats.
  • AnnaK812
    AnnaK812 Posts: 48 Member
    In my opinion, calculating calories burned is inaccurate, unnecessary nit-picking. I prefer to keep calories and activity consistent, and make minor adjustments when progress stalls.

    But how will I know if my activity is enough to make up for my consumption? Trust me- I'm a creature of habit, but I think I need a starting point at least.
  • westcoastSW
    westcoastSW Posts: 320 Member
    When I do strength days, if i plug it into MFP is says 124 cals burned, but my HRM says 250... so yeah, big difference :)
    Sorry, but the HRM is probably not accurate either. This article explained a lot to me: http://www.sparkpeople.com/community/ask_the_experts.asp?q=75

    (Edited to add: HRM is not so accurate for weight/strength training. Still a great tool for cardio days!)
  • Jess5825
    Jess5825 Posts: 228
    The only workout I've done that comes close to my actual calories burned is the elliptical and it is still off my like 40-50 calories.
  • danikat11
    danikat11 Posts: 17
    i already have one due to my mom needing one to monitor her heart for a while. maybe once she is done i can use it. im def. convinced to do so now.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    My HRM shows me as burning more calories than MFP showed. It's starting to go down some now that my heart rate is going down, though.
  • Le_Joy
    Le_Joy Posts: 549 Member
    And the opposite can be true. There are some things where MFP overestimates.
  • sabrinafaith
    sabrinafaith Posts: 607 Member
    honestly, a hrm is the best tool because even if i do the same walk every day, sometimes i push myself to go faster and burn more calories than the day before. how would i know without a hrm?
  • Nicolee_2014
    Nicolee_2014 Posts: 1,572 Member
    When I do strength days, if i plug it into MFP is says 124 cals burned, but my HRM says 250... so yeah, big difference :)
    Sorry, but the HRM is probably not accurate either. This article explained a lot to me: http://www.sparkpeople.com/community/ask_the_experts.asp?q=75

    (Edited to add: HRM is not so accurate for weight/strength training. Still a great tool for cardio days!)

    Thanks for that link. Interesting. So I guess you just gotta do what you gotta do - watch what you eat & make sure you exercise at least every day.
  • Rayman79
    Rayman79 Posts: 2,009 Member
    eh, we all know that a HRM is not going to track the energy expended in the repair of muscles etc etc. I just log what I burn in the gym and treat the rest as a bonus. I actually think the MFP numbers come out reasonably close for me, once I subtract my BMR from my workout calories.
  • peterson_jessica
    peterson_jessica Posts: 119 Member
    I have a question that maybe someone on this thread can answer. If I were to buy a HRM.. could I wear it for a full day to figure out how many calories I burn just on a normal day without exercise? To get a more accurate BMR?
  • frugalmomsrock
    frugalmomsrock Posts: 1,123
    MFP is right on par for one thing: biking. And only if i fudge it and pick the "moderate effort" instead of what I actually do: vigorous effort. Otherwise, everything else is overestimated...but not by as much as the machines at the gym!

    I love my HRM! http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Heart-Rate-Monitor-Watch/dp/B003JRSCMY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324521867&sr=8-1

    35 bucks, and it's pretty awesome. :)
  • love22step
    love22step Posts: 1,103 Member
    I tend to go as hard as I can, and my HRM consistently gives more calories than MFP. So, I use MFP calories to keep the numbers down so I don't overestimate. Maybe they're both too high, but I've been happy with my weight loss, regardless. I do like monitoring my heart rate now and then. The HRM is good for showing me the level I'm working at and how hard I have to work to get close to my max. Theoretically, you can't exceed your max.
  • Jess5825
    Jess5825 Posts: 228
    I have a question that maybe someone on this thread can answer. If I were to buy a HRM.. could I wear it for a full day to figure out how many calories I burn just on a normal day without exercise? To get a more accurate BMR?
    [/quote

    A heart rate monitor is only meant to be worn when you heart rate is elevated, therefore it would not be accurate to wear all day to figure out your BMR.
  • Suzanne106
    Suzanne106 Posts: 149 Member
    I used to rely on this website for correct calorie counts but now I manually calculate everything and then enter it even my exercise.
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