There is a lot of talk about counting calories in, food diaries, etc.  I’m also looking at some programs to track my workouts and calories out.  Most of the workout tracking software has some built in estimations of calories used based on activity.  Any ideas of how accurate these are.  This also applies to the cardio machines at the gym that give you the calories used for each session. 

I’m curious because I was sea kayaking today and according to a program I am trying, the calories used for my trip was over 1,600.  We did 16.4 miles in 4.45 minutes excluding breaks and rest times (based on my friends GPS).  It seems like a lot but if it’s accurate it explains why I’m so hungry after a weekend of paddling. 

Paula
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace, Love, Paddle

Ohhh i curiouse about this too...I’m trying to track how many calories I’m burning using the elliptical machine.  The machine says 80, fitday says 180 and another site says over 500.

A very interesting question!

Khrystyne: for how long are you on the elliptical to get those “measurements”? I suppose that it also depends on the program you’re using on the machine. I use a varied but high intensity program, and what I burn can’t be the same as if I did a “flat” program.

br
p

I wouldn’t be without my Polar fitness watch during any kind of exercise. It accurately tracks my calories burned for my specific data input.

I was banging my head against the wall trying to figure out ‘why oh why’ can’t I lose those pounds!?!? Figured out that I wasn’t eatin’ enough to compensate for all those long rides I take on.

http://www.polarusa.com/default.asp

I alternate between 30 and 45 min.  30 mins is Interval training and 45 min at a good even keel.  I stay at about 70% of my target heart rate at 45 min and can get up to 80 on intervals.

With those measurements more or less my elliptical tells me I burn 750-800 calories. Probably the best way to know is buying a Polar like Carrie.

p

wow...thats alot of calories

Think I may have to buy a HRM.

Yeah I know, but according to Sparkpeople I should be burning 324 calories on a 45 minute workout on the elliptical. This is where my doubts are. It must depend on the level of intensity and resistance, and in this case the machine knows which program I’m running and should be able to tell me with more precision than a webpage.

I’ve looked at the polar fitness watches and my main concern is how much abuse they can take.  They are great for activities like running and cycling, but I’m not sure how they would apply to kayaking.  I don’t think that frequent immersion in salt water would be very good for the electronics.  Even when I don’t go for an unintentional swim, I’m usually wet from waves and spray. 

Workouts plus paddle feels good, no workouts and paddle is tolerable, no workouts, no paddle and I’m not a happy person.  I guess I better just keep moving! 

Paula

I looked at heart Rate Monitors this weekend and the cheepest I could find was 140$.  Anyone have a cheeper, more waterproof suggestion?

Are these types of heart rate monitors the same type you plug into the computer to get a nice chart?  Does anyone think these are worth it?

Ryan

Sorry it took me a bit of time to reply back…

Paula - my Polar takes on a lot of abuse from me. I use it for everything I consider a workout down to pushin’ that darn lawn mower. The F11 is water resistant up to 30m. With that being said and their 2 year warranty I think you would be safe in trying it out. Let us know what you do

Khrystyne - With a little research I have found the F11 for $125. There are other versions of the Polar watches that you might consider. The F6 is currently $99 at Amazon with free shipping. I’m always looking for the best product for the biggest deal and I must say hands down, this product delivers.

Ryan - I personally don’t transfer exercise data from wrist unit to Polar Personal Trainer web service via Polar WebLink (SonicLink/Infrared). The watch stores more information than I want to know and what I feel is most pertinent. I have read reviews of people having some difficulty connecting initially but most are pleased with it.

Thanks for the info.  I’m going to add this to my wish list right after the full dry suit.  The dry suit has some survival advantages when upside down in a kayak in the Pacific Ocean.  That water is freezzzzzing!  Very different from paddling in Florida.

Any idea how many calories we use just staying warm, but I guess that would be another topic. 

Time to get off this @#%& computer and go work out.

Paula