Lower-weight lower-calorie-burn .. how does this work?

[CrimsonMama]

Very frustrating that my usual exercise routines burn so much less calories now I've lost more weight! A 40 minute walk usually burns around 300 calories but now only 200!

I do a lot of exercise per day! And my aim is to burn 500 calories a day minimum but used to be around 700 weekdays and nearly a 1000 weekends. I can't possibly work out for longer periods of time than I already do!

But do we have to? I still lost 3lbs this week! (Amazing and very happy as usually 1-2lbs per week)

So does it matter if we 'burn less' doing the same exercise when you weigh less? Does metabolism make up for it or something?

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

You might like to read this, CM and be pre-emptive healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[Stoozie]

Like moreless I was also going to suggest carrying weights (ankle/wristband ones are good, and make a walk feel much more effective on your leg/arm muscles) or HIIT (which can be adapted to any exercise, but if walking I think you would need poles or a hill or some steps)

[IndigoBlue61]

Couple of points, it’s very hard to accurately gauge how many calories you’re burning without scientific equipment. Secondly, as you get fitter you will hopefully lay down some muscle which increases calorie burn. Lastly, and most important, how do you feel? If you feel fit and well you will look a million dollars so who cares about the maths?

Very well done you 😊👏🎉

[CrimsonMama in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I'm definitely feeling fitter! And I can do a few jumping jacks now!! Before, whether due to weight or a fear of injury, I couldn't get both feet to lift. I have to do them slow but am amazed I can do them now! I have had a dodgy knee a year or so ago and from several years ago I have pins in my ankle from breaking it so I am a bit hesitant of high impact.

I've decided to stop counting the calorie burn! To just have my planned exercises in place and only re-examine them if the weight loss stops! 😁

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to CrimsonMama]

Excellent news 😊👏🎉. Go girl!! 😊

[UnfitNoMore Visitor]

😂. I bet lots here would like this issue!

While calorie burn from any app is an estimate, the science is sound, the less you weight the less work it is to move that weight and so the less energy it takes... calorie burn decreases. Of course there are weighted jackets you can get to put that weight back in for the workout... and then the calorie burn goes back up. Personally, I wouldn’t bother unless you hit a plateau... as you close in on goal weight, the rate of loss decreasing makes it even easier to keep it off.

[CrimsonMama in reply to UnfitNoMore]

So far my weight loss is steady. 1-2lbs a week with the odd 3lb loss. I like using the apps to record my exercise ... But I don't like seeing 'less reward' for the same effort! So I think I am going to try not to record the numbers anymore, other than for my runs (am back up to the full runs now from C25K -- and some extra when I have the time to go for longer).

[TheAwfulToad Visitor]

As everyone else has said: you need to increase the intensity, not the duration. "Burning calories" has very little direct effect on your weight loss, but increasing your fitness makes your body generally better at energy management, which means it's less likely to hoard fat.

You could try cycling if jogging or the gym isn't for you?