HRM (Heart Rate Monitor)

I recently purchased a hrm for that reason. I have a Pyle with a chest strap from Amazon for under $40; works great. First day I used it; I was shocked by how off the MFP estimates were; which is why I never ate my exercise calories back until I got the hrm.

Highly, highly recommend getting one to anyone.

Edit: To record the calories burned, I just use aerobics, general and adjust the minutes until the calories are the same. I don't care about the time it says, just the amount of calories.

I don't know if this would help but...I use an app on my iphone (Run meter and Heart Rate app) and I track my heart rate every 10mins and then average it out at the end of my workout... Then I use 3 different websites to tell me how many calories I burned using my body stats (age, height, weight), avg heart rate (Taken from the app *Heart Rate*, duration of the workout and I see if they all fall within the same "Burned Calories" range. An HRM works the same way I believe but they are sooo expensive. If you dont mind taking the extra time to do this then you will save yourself some money.

PS: The way the heart rate app works is ( I use an iphone 4) you place the camera at the tip of your finger and it tracks each pulse and then tell you your heart's BMP. I find it very accurate because when your heart pumps - at the tip of your finger blood rushes through causing it to change color (from light red to a darker red).

Polar is the best way to go. I have the Polar FT4 which is like $65.00 on Amazon. It's super awesome.

I'm also using the Polar FT4 that shows me the number of calories burned during my workouts and the numbers are quite a bit higher than the activity database here on MFP.

I haven't decided what to do about the difference in terms of eating my calories back. Right now I am choosing the lower number of calories burned and eating those and will monitor my weight for a few weeks. I'll then try the higher number for a few weeks and compare and see what works best for me.

@homemomfreda - - - the number of calories burned becomes less because 1. You probably weigh less after working out for a while, so you're exercising while carrying less weight, and 2. You're body will become more efficient and use less energy to do the workout, which is why many people think that it's important to vary the intensity and/or type of exercise that you do.

I haven't bought one yet, just doing a little research. I'm leaning twards the Polar brand, either the FT4 or FT7. Just finished printing off the manuals from their website to compare the two.

Editted: Did a search on MFP and found the difference :}

I am using an ancient polar HRM. but it works :-)
to input the exercise, just pick it from the list, put in the minutes, and then change the calorie value before you submit. With me, it usually keeps that info for the next run, and it's not too far off next time i put it in...

The way the heart rate app works is ( I use an iphone 4) you place the camera at the tip of your finger and it tracks each pulse and then tell you your heart's BMP. I find it very accurate because when your heart pumps - at the tip of your finger blood rushes through causing it to change color (from light red to a darker red).

I have this app on my droid. Out of curiosity I checked it while using a blood pressure cuff. Both devices reported the same heart rate - I would say it's accurate. Cool little app.

If you're the type of person that carries a phone all the time you might consider a blue tooth heart rate monitor. They connect with your phone (via blue tooth) and track the heart rate and other data using apps like Endomondo Sports tracker or Sports Tracker Pro. The chests straps are available from Polar, Zephyr or Wahoo Fitness (about $70 - $80).

I'm considering buying one of these as a reward for reaching my goal.

Do you know why you burn less calories as you become more fit?

From fitness alone:
Muscles become more efficient with specific movements (running) and they expend less energy to execute a task.

From weight loss alone:
Consider 2 people running a lap around a track at the same speed. One of them weighs 200 lbs. and the other weighs 150 lbs. The heavier person will require more energy to propel the extra weight around the track.

I would get an HRM or something similar. I always thought MFP estimates were pretty close. I thought with me being heavier, that's why it always said I was burning high amounts of calories. Well I got an HRM and MFP can be as much as 300 calories off!! Not cool. I wasn't eating all of my exercise calories back either, thankfully.

MFP can only figure ballpark for people and I thank them immensely for giving us some idea to start with. It's up to us to figure out our own needs. I support them 100% because otherwise, people would get on here and have no clue where to start.

I am glad you found your own pace but I am a bit on the defensive team since MFP gives us all so much and for free!! That is also why, they give us the opportunity to set our own goals(customize). They are awesome!

I would get an HRM or something similar. I always thought MFP estimates were pretty close. I thought with me being heavier, that's why it always said I was burning high amounts of calories. Well I got an HRM and MFP can be as much as 300 calories off!! Not cool. I wasn't eating all of my exercise calories back either, thankfully.