Losing weight ultimately comes down to a simple numbers game. You have
to create a deficit, which means you must burn more calories than you
take in overall. We all burn a certain amount of calories just by living
and breathing. This number is known as our basal metabolic rate. When
we actively burn calories, we also must fuel our bodies to get through
the day. Ultimately, the idea is to eat at above your BMR, while still
maintaining a deficit by exercising.
To accurately take account of our gains and losses, it's best to use a
device like a heart rate monitor, which can get an accurate reading by
using electrical impulses. Without a heart rate monitor, there's not an
accurate method with which you can find the precise numbers. While there
are a wealth of online logs of the calories expended doing a range of
activities, these are merely estimates. They can be off by quite large
margins because we are all different and are starting at out on our own
unique fitness levels.
You can find a wide range of heart rate sports watches from HeartRateMonitorsUSA.com. There are different brands like Garmin and
Polar, which are quite popular among fitness enthusiasts. Ultimately,
your choice comes down to what you find necessary for you. Some of the
most high-end models feature a great deal of extra features that you
probably won't need. If you feel like making the extra investment, you
may as well go for a model that's strap-less.