Setup Polar HRM for more accurate calorie burn for known BMR

Well, I set mine up per the formula. The BMR given here was a couple hundred different than the BMR using the "Eat More" methodology, but I figure it's close enough to count. I'm 37 and my age to hit the BMR was 53 I'll be ionterested to see what difference that makes in the calculations for my normal workouts.

Since you are following a great program to lose weight and maintain your LBM, you should for sure re-measure every 5 lbs lost, to see how the BF% changes, and re-adjust.

You'll be getting younger as you go along.

Oh, confirm you adjust the HRmax stat, because the default 220-age was applied automatically when you changed the age.

And that HRmax stat being lowered (since you appear to be older) would mean your calorie burns would actually go up at the same HR effort.

Edit: You know what, to keep this simple and let you log it somewhere, and adjust a stat not used in other calculations, just this spreadsheet, the HRM tab, upper section. Use the 3rd section for getting better HRmax estimate for that stat too.

Since you are doing the EM2WL method, you'll recognize the other tab there already. You can use it for logging too.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Amt7QBR9-c6MdGVTbGswLUUzUHNVVUlNSW9wZWloeUE

I give some description of the sheet here.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/620206-spreadsheet-for-bmr-tdee-deficit-calcs-mfp-tweaks-hrm

Just got a FT7 last night, bump for reference.

OP, thanks for the research and tutorial.

Post topic discovery of easier way to do it.

I give some description of the sheet here.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/620206-spreadsheet-for-bmr-tdee-deficit-calcs-mfp-tweaks-hrm

Use that spreadsheet, the HRM tab, and read down the list. Top section and bottom section on improving accuracy.

This is so confusing

First question is regarding eating back exercise calories?!! My BMR Is 1600 (using Harris Benedict equation) so to create a deficit to lose weight I aim to eat 1200-1300 cals a day and exercise on top of that meaning I'm netting at well below 1200.... I always thought that's how to lose weight by creating a calorie deficit? What's wrong with netting below 1200? I know eating below 1200 Is a big no-no but I thought as long as you consume at least that, whatever you net at isn't an issue regarding metabolism??

I'm getting a polar in the next day or two and want to get my head around this first :S

I am tossing up between the ft4 and ft60. The only reason I'd go the ft60 is because it has the fitness tests on there meaning in theory, it should be more accurate... If tweaking the stats of the ft4 as stated In your original post, does it make the ft4 as accurate? I read somewhere that you should never buy a HRM where you can't test or manually put in your vo2 max so I was going to fork out for the ft60 for that reason

The FT60 is just using a variation of this formula.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/577839-hrm-s-with-vo2max-stat-improve-calorie-estimate

It is NOT giving you a fitness test to better estimate VO2max, but it does at least give you the stat to correct, and likely would need to still.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/459580-polar-hrm-calorie-burn-estimate-accuracy-study

Regarding BMR though.

Just confused over what BMR means. Go to MFP - Tools - BMR Calc and read the blurb. Or Google what it means.

Now, does that sound like the calorie level you must create a deficit too? Correct, no. Unless you really are bed-ridden and do no activity. The minute you are awake you are actually at RestingMR, and RMR is higher than BMR.

1200 is the recommended bare minimum to eat for someone not exercising. Bare, safe, no benefit, minimum.

You here to make your body better, or to do the bare minimum?
Ever buy a cheap product, like a tool, or clothes? How long do you expect the cheapest to last? How much stress can you put on it before it's ruined and you throw it away and buy another? How long until you discover that for some clothes or tools it's better to have it last longer by spending more money just once up front.
Ever watch the Holmes shows? Minimum code requirements - is it best for your bare safety, or best for performance and longevity?

How do you want to view your body and exercise?

You made it 1200 BTW, probably because you selected the NON-recommended 1lb per week weight loss, and selected Sedentary activity level, whether true or not. Those with BodyMediaFit's and FitBit's discover their normal daily activity outside exercise (which is what MFP is asking for) is really at Lightly Active level.