Pedometer calories burnt v MFP calculation

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heleflump
heleflump Posts: 57
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, Just wondered if anyone can help - when I go for a walk or a run - the pedometer reading of calories burnt is way below that which MFP calculates - I have been going by MFP on the basis that it knows my stats and the pedometer doesnt have that function - but I then had a panic attack and thought "What if it's wrong and I have to do more!!!!" :noway:

Any thoughts?

Replies

  • fxst78
    fxst78 Posts: 221 Member
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    If your pedometer doesn't know your age, weight, etc then it is using an average. If you are heavier than average you will be burning more calories than the pedometer says.
  • ctriston
    ctriston Posts: 71 Member
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    Hello Flumpy!!!

    I think that the only way to be sure is with a heart rate monitor.....xx But for example on the wii, that knows weight heart etc....but I am always a bit cautious and don;t eat all the extra calories just in case..
  • lisapr123
    lisapr123 Posts: 863 Member
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    MFP highballs things a bit, for me. For example, on yesterdays run my heart rate monitor showed about 20 calories lower than MFP.

    If the effort I put in is big (it always is for a run) I go with MFP. But for other things--like spin, I spin at least 4 times a week so I'm very efficient at it and know I don't have as big of a burn as someone who is new to it--I either use my heart rate monitor number of I just lower the time in MFP to compensate. My last spin session was 45 minutes, I logged it as 30.

    I think about my effort...if it's really high I go with MFP, if it's not I correct time to lowball the number.
  • thankyou4thevenom
    thankyou4thevenom Posts: 1,581 Member
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    I would say neither are very accurate. MFP vastly over estimates my calorie burn and your pedometer not knowing your stats will only be able to give you a very rough guideline.
    I would either invest in a HRM for the most accurate calculation or chose a calorie burn in the middle of MFP's and the pedometers.
  • heleflump
    heleflump Posts: 57
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    Thanks very much everyone - will look into a HRM (although I really like MFP's estimation - I too think it may be a little high)

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