The Apple Watch is a popular wearable device that helps users track their fitness and health goals. Two important metrics that the device tracks are active and total calories burned. However, many people are confused about the difference between these two metrics. In this article, we will explain the difference between active and total calories, and how they can help you achieve your fitness goals.

Active Calories

Active calories represent the number of calories burned during physical activity or exercise. The Apple Watch uses the user’s heart rate data and other sensors to estimate the number of calories burned during workouts such as running, cycling, hiking, and other activities that increase the heart rate. Active calories are also known as “earned calories” or “exercise calories.”

Total Calories

Total calories, on the other hand, represent the number of calories burned throughout the day, including both active and inactive periods. This includes calories burned during normal daily activities such as walking, standing, and even breathing. The Apple Watch estimates total calories burned by combining the user’s resting metabolic rate (RMR), activity level, and heart rate data.

Difference between Active and Total Calories

The main difference between active and total calories is that active calories are only earned during physical activity, while total calories include all calories burned throughout the day. This means that even when you are not actively exercising, your body still burns calories through basic metabolic functions such as breathing and digesting food.

The Apple Watch tracks both active and total calories to give users a more complete picture of their daily calorie burn. This information can be useful for those who are looking to lose weight, as it can help them adjust their diet and exercise routine to achieve their desired calorie deficit.

How to Use Active and Total Calories to Achieve Your Fitness Goals

To achieve your fitness goals, it’s important to understand the difference between active and total calories, and how to use this information effectively. One way to use this information is to set daily calorie goals for both active and total calories. For example, if your daily goal is to burn 500 active calories and 2000 total calories, you can track your progress throughout the day and adjust your activity level and diet accordingly.

Additionally, tracking your active and total calories can help you identify areas where you can make small changes that can add up to a significant calorie burn. For example, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking instead of driving, or standing instead of sitting can all help increase your daily calorie burn and get you closer to your fitness goals.