Fitbit underestimating calories burned

Noreenmarie1234

I have all of my settings set right and fitbit surge says I only burn about 1600 a day but I have been eating 1900-2100 and maintaining/slowly losing. Anyone else have this issue? (I accurately weigh all my food)

Even on days I exercise, for example it says I burned 1800, I ate 2100 (always eat over whatever it says).

Why would it be so inaccurate for me? I have my height and weight set correctly and wear it 24/7 except when I have to charge it.

jimmmer

Lots of factors dictate how much actual energy you derive from your food

a) calorie amounts on foodstuffs are estimates and can be out by as much as 20%, I believe.

b) gut bacterial make-up can affect how much stuff gets digested/how efficient digestion is.

c) macro composition of the diet can alter the thermic effect. Protein, for instance, is said to have a higher energy cost for digestion than the other macros. So you may lose a few cals there too.

d) hormonal issues can affect weight gain/loss.

Add these up and they can make a significant deviation from "perfect" numbers. Best bet is to eat an extra 250 above what you're doing now and see how you get on with that. Give it a week or two and rinse/repeat if necessary..

editorgrrl

Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »

I have all of my settings set right and fitbit surge says I only burn about 1600 a day but I have been eating 1900-2100 and maintaining/slowly losing. Anyone else have this issue? (I accurately weigh all my food)

Even on days I exercise, for example it says I burned 1800, I ate 2100 (always eat over whatever it says).

Why would it be so inaccurate for me? I have my height and weight set correctly and wear it 24/7 except when I have to charge it.

Open your diary for personalized advice, but you could be overestimating your food. I have a Fitbit, I guesstimate my food, and I'm still losing at maintenance even though I'm over my calorie goal every week. (6 lbs. in the past year.)

All the calorie burns and goals are nothing but estimates. It takes trial & error to find the "sweet spot" where you're actually eating at an appropriate deficit. Food is fuel, and we should all be looking for the maximum number of calories at which we lose weight—never the minimum.