How accurate are HRMs for calories estimate and can you lose weight without counting calories?

[Anonymous]

Two questions in one, so here we go:

1) Does anyone now how accurate heat are monitors are for estimating the calories your burned?

I'm just wondering because mine gives a higher number than expected. I usually do Intervals for 30min. With fairly long phases (2-3min) of a high heart rate (165-180) and shorter phases of recovery (1 min) at a heart rate of 130-140. The I do 30 min of steady cardio (140) it calculates roughly 600cal for that. On an other day I took a spinning class(30min) used the stairmaster (30min) and then did irish dancing (60 min) and it calculated 1000 cal. It just seems like a lot, that's half the calories you need in a day extra.

2) Can you lose weight without acutally counting calories (or points or something like that)

I tried several calorie calculators and they all give different results. I just don't know what to stick to. Plus when I cook, sometimes I don't eat the whole portion or a lot of the olive oil stays in the pan, so my intake is very inaccurate anyways.

I'm eating a low carb diet without any processed food, would it be possible to still lose weight without counting calories if I just only eat when I'm hungry?

[Anonymous]

Ill keep it simple itll be harder to lose weight if you se HRMs because your keeping track of how mamy calories.itll seem lile more of a work out than what it really is.i don't think they are accuaraye neigther because obviously people have diffrent bodies and for some ita hard to lose weight and others is not so you ahould just work out as much as you can amd if you feel like you HAVE to use an HRM then check it ONLY AT THE END of the workout sont check in between and don't worry too muxh about the numbers until youve been working out for WEEKSweogh yourself at the MOST once a week

[Asker]

I've been working out all my life, but I always used HRMs for heart rate only not other purposes. I like using one because I have asthma and if I get over 180 I just need to slow down a little

[Opinion Owner]

Tjats understandable I have asthma also

[kheserthorpe]

Estimating calories burned off heart rate is not very reliable.

If you're eating low carb with relatively low fat, you probably don't need to count calories. But either you're losing weight over weeks or you're not. If you're not, reevaluate.