How to Measure Calories Burned

Measuring calories is important whether you need to lose weight, gain weight or just make sure you are being healthy. Calories measure the amount of energy that the body consumes or expends. A common calculation is called MET, which is the amount of energy your body uses when you sleep. Keep in mind that it is not an exact science, but the method does give a very good approximation.

Instructions

Calculation

• 1

  Record how much you weigh in kilograms (see Resources). This example will use someone who is 170 lbs., or 77 kg.

• 2

  Record the duration of an activity or exercise. This example will be 60 minutes of low-impact aerobics.

• 3

  Calculate the MET. This requires a little bit of algebra, with the variable "c" for calories and "m" for MET.
  C = 60 x (M x 3.5 x 77)/200
  C = 60 x (M x 259.5)/200
  C = 60 x (M x 1.35)
  C = 81 x M

• 4

  Use an exercise calculator (see Resources) to determine your calories. Enter intensity, time and weight. This example gives an answer of 384 calories.

• 5

  Finish the equation: 384 = 81 x M. Dividing 384 by 81 gives us 4.7 (rounded down).