Why does FitDay do this?
 

I've noticed something I think is odd about the activities tab. Try entering something on the walking activity.

Enter the same activity twice then change the time. It doesn't give you more credit for a shorter time for the same distance. ex. walking 3 MPH. Enter that twice. Put in the same number of miles. Put a time in one and a different amount of time in the other. It gives you the calories used in both. However, I think it takes more effort to walk X miles in a shorter time. It should be more calories used for the shorter time due to more exertion.

Am I wrong?

But if you're covering a longer distance at the same amount of time, then are you really walking at the same speed?

You might be close, but FitDay just goes by speed separately.

I don't know why; Fitday isn't perfect, you know?

I don't know about that, but I can't find the place to input elliptical trainer for activities, so I input cycling instead. Fitday does have it flaws.
cheryl

A longer distance, yes. I was talking about the same distance and speed with 2 different times.

ITA. I wish I could put in my steps!

Mare, you burn approximately the same number of calories whether you walk or run a mile. The number you hear all the time is 100 calories per mile, though that's going to vary depending on the person's body weight. The only difference is in calories per minute -- if you're running at 6 mph, you're burning calories roughly twice as fast as if you walked at 3 mph.

Happy trails! :D

Hey cbmare,

The "distance" column in FitDay is for your information only, if you want to track the distance you've gone. It doesn't play any role in the calculation of calories. The calories are strictly based the speed and the time, e.g., 3 mph for 20 min. will always give the same number.

Jay

I have several books (publishing dates between 1975 and 2003) that say the same thing. Whether you walk or run, you will burn approximately the same calories per mile (but not per minute). The advice I was always given was it was important to exercise at the pace that allows you to put in maximum time, rather than maximum intensity (a relief for those of us who couldn't run if our lives depended upon it).

Mare . . .

It's simple mathematics . . . you simply cannot cover the same distance in a shorter length of time if you are still travelling at the same rate . . .

For example
If you cover a distance of 3 miles in 1 hour; your rate is 3 mph.
If you cover a distance of 1 mile in 20 minutes; your rate is 3 mph.
If you cover a distance of 1 mile in 10 minutes; your rate is 6 mph

You have 2 variables
-- the distance travelled
-- the time involved
and one result
-- the rate of speed at which you are moving

It is impossible to change either one of the variables (distance or time) without also changing the result (rate). So, if you covered the same distance, faster, your rate had to be higher.

Thanks everyone. I'm stupid.