Treamill / Calories Burned Question! (treadmill, burn, eat, running)

[UNCMetsGal]

Hope someone knows the answer to this!

My treadmill is calibrated (and I've looked in my manual and don't see a way to change this) to calculate calories burned based on a person who is 150 pounds.

For example, yesterday it said I burned 175 calories.

I was wondering if someone could tell me if there's a way to calculate how many calories I ACTUALLY burned based on my actual weight using the calories burned assumed by the treadmill.

Thanks!

[scorpio516]

You burn calories per kg per km. It's also based on age and gender. It isn't based on pace. It comes out to about 1 kc/kg/km.

[RD5050]

This calculator may help:

Calories Burned - Exercise Calculator

Enter your weight and duration of exercise, and it will tell you how many calories you burn.

For a treadmill, I would equate it to the walking/running options listed.

[gumbyfly]

All methods for calculating calories include many general assumptions (height, BF%, what you eat, what your fitness level is, etc.). So the answer is: no. At least not 100% accurately for you.

The general calculation used in most fitness equipment is probably accurate enough for everyone in general though. While counting calories consumed minus calories burned is a good tool to guide weight loss, it is about as accurate as measuring the depth of the ocean with a 12-inch ruler. What you eat, when you eat it, how you exercise, what your normal activity level is, what your general health is, and a LOT of other factors play a part in being able to accurately tally calories (say THAT ten times fast...).

[UNCMetsGal]

Thanks everyone!

I knew it wasn't gonna be an exact science, but since my doctor is asking me to burn 250 calories, I'm feeling like if the 150 pound phantom is burning 175 calories, then I must be getting close to (if not over) the 250 he's asking for, considering my current weight.

All in all, I'm just trying to be as accurate as *I* can, so that upon my next appointment with him, HE will have as much information as HE needs to continue tweaking my plan for maximum effectiveness.