Which calorie counting device should I believe?

[KelNottAt]

Whenever I walk I get conflicting estimates of my total calories burned. I don't know which to believe. Which would you pick? The following are numbers for a 5-mile walk, 13mpm pace. I'm 42 yo female, 115 lbs, 5'5".

True 15-yo TM: 300 calories
Sparkpeople.com: 260 calories
Old pedometer: 230 calories
Garmin 205: 450 calories

Stand by for poll...

Thanks.

 

[wtpclc]

Do all of those require you to input your age, height and weight? If not, I'd start by eliminating the ones that do not include that. However, everyone's metabloism is different. I would imagine that's why you are getting suh a large range.

 

[KelNottAt]

Do all of those require you to input your age, height and weight? If not, I'd start by eliminating the ones that do not include that. However, everyone's metabloism is different. I would imagine that's why you are getting suh a large range.

I thought of that, too. But, since the Garmin and Sparkpeople.com use my height and weight, I'm still confused by the difference between the 2.

 

[wtpclc]

Yikes! That is a huge difference! My Palm program gave me 308. That does age too. My best guess is that age may make a difference. I guess I'd eithe ruse the True 15yo TM or average btwn spark & garmin. Excuse me while I weep abotu the fact that I may not have burned off 3300 cal for the marrathon like the Garmin said.

Sorry, wish I could help more.

 

[Big Vic]

I'd average between your Garmin and Sparkpeople.com.

 

[Optimator]

Kelley, I saw one calorie calculator that uses as multiplication factor of 0.653 cal/mile/pound.

0.653 x 5 miles x 115 lbs = 375 calories.

That's about splitting the distance between your TM and Garmin. Unfortunately, I've always felt the Garmin was giving us too much credit.

Hope it helps.

 

[KelNottAt]

Mike, Thanks for the formula. I think I'll use that.