Activity Points -- Pedometer vs. eTools

  • I signed up for eTools a couple of days ago and have been tracking my food and activity that way ever since. Before that, I always used my WW pedometer to track my activity and any points I earned due to that activity.

    But I've noticed there's a discrepancy between the APs that I earn when I wear my pedometer and the APs I earn when I plug my activity into eTools. I walk every day, at a moderate pace, for at least 60 minutes. For that activity, my pedometer gives me 3 points -- but when I plug that activity into eTools, it gives me 5 points.

    Maybe this is just me trying to make more of my activity than there is...but from the exertion I put out, it seems like the eTools measure is more accurate. I mean, in terms of my rating of perceived exertion, I'm definitely earning more APs than my pedometer is giving me. I'm sweating before ten minutes are up and before my 60 minutes are up, I'm sweating freely. And by the time the hour is up, I've usually walked between 3-4 miles.

    Has anyone else who uses the pedometer and eTools noticed this? And do you think I'd be okay with using the higher AP level I get with eTools? I don't want to overestimate my activity; it just seems like I'm working harder than the pedometer is giving me credit for. *L*
  • I'm using both as well Snoofie and both tools give me the same number of points.Are you familiar with the Active and All day settings? I always use the Active option when I walk my 7 miles and I enter the number of steps.
  • Yep, I always use the Active mode. And I only use the pedometer when I go out for my walk; I don't bother to wear it to calculate my daily steps or what have you.

    I'm wondering if it could have something to do with the default stride setting on the pedometer or something? I don't know. There's definitely something up, though, because I refuse to believe that with the workout I get, I'm only earning 3 points.

    What exactly do you mean when you say you "enter the number of steps"? I don't have to enter the number of steps on my pedometer...do you have a different one?
  • It does seem low.This morning,DH and I walked 5.91 miles and the pedometer shows 7 AP.My stride is set at 30. Maybe making sure the stride you set on etools is the same as the stride you set on the WW pedometer will do the trick.By the way,congrats on your weight loss so far and kudos for walking everyday!
  • Walking doesn't burn that many points. It's just cardio. I do 2 hours of high intensity deep water aerobics and only get 10.
  • Well, I put a new battery in my pedometer and that seems to have been the problem. I walked for 90 minutes at moderate intensity, and earned 7 points according to my pedometer, and when I got home and plugged that same time and intensity into eTools, I got 7 as well.

    I know walking isn't "much" in terms of exercise, but I don't have the money to join a gym or a pool for anything else, so it's all I've got. I don't think I've done too badly by losing over 40 pounds with walking alone.