Exercise machine calorie counts
 

Hi all:

I know that exercise machines are notoriously bad for estimating what the number of calories burned ACTUALLY is -- that is, their formula is off -- so I've been inputting a weight that is 50 pounds lighter than I am to help offset the machine's error. Is that enough?

More important, is there a more precise way to do this? Is there a formula that I can use to take the number of calories the machine is saying I'm burning and turn it into the real number?

I know that I can use my heartrate monitor, but I don't always have it available when I'm working out, and it would be nice to have a formula to use to accurately estimate the number of calories I'm burning.

Thanks in advance!

I think what you're doing is probably good. Take the estimates they give you, act as if they're too high, and then be happy if it turns out they were accurate instead of bummed if they're lower than you thought.

You can cross check the numbers the machine gives you with the estimates on Fitday, maybe that will give you a better idea of the estimate, too.

Sorry dont have a response for your question. But your a person I have not seen around lately. Glad to see you & hope your doing well!

Walrus - great to see you - I think you were taking a trip - how was it?

Keep posting!

Hi all!

I am totally surprised that you all remembered me! So sweet :)

We did have a trip, but I was still in a leg cast -- what with the broken leg and a couple back spasms, I was immobilized for over 6 months in 2008. Luckily (!?), I only gained 8 pounds over the whole year, but I'm pretty much starting again from where I was last year. The big difference? Now my husband's on plan, too. Of course, I've been working out 2 hours a day, 5 days a week, and eating between 1500 and 1600 calories a day, and haven't seen much of a drop, and he worked out for 30 minutes 4 times and lost 5 pounds. Grrr! Oh well, it's TIME for me -- you know how no matter how much you can logically say that you need to lose weight, you want to lose weight, etc., but you just don't do it until you're ready? It's time. I'm ready. :)

Come on over to the weekly chat again and join us in some fun! Many of the same girls are here and some great new ones too!

I think its sensible. I don't trust those machines either..so I burn 800 calories in an hour on an exercise bike?!?! urrmmm nope, machine, gonna be more like 350..its so mean!