We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!
How accurate is TDEE on an activity tracker/app?

xjessicaxrx
Posts: 144 Member
I wear a Misfit Speedo Shine which counts my movement, swimming laps and sleep. Similar to Fitbit, Jawbone, Garmin etc. I am wondering how accurate the TDEE that is shown on the apps of these things?
0
Replies
-
Not too accurate. TDE has always been just a guide. Just track consumption and watch how your body changes. It's really just a big science experiment. Not to say those products aren't good. It will give you a better idea... But your body is always your point of reference0
-
It varies from person to person.
Once you have 30 days or so of data from it. You can take the calories burned for 30 days - intake for 30 days (not goal but what you actually ate) = 30 day deficit or surplus
30 day deficit or surplus/3500 = expected loss or gain
Then compare that to what actually happened with your weight.
I personally found Fitbit Zip and Flex to underestimate by about 200 calories per day on average. I'm currently using the Surge which so far seems to be spot on for me.0 -
Not accurate on my Garmin at all. If I ate only what it says I burn daily, I'd be underweight very quickly.0
-
Going off when iv calculated this on websites it is giving me alot more calories than I thought, its very confusing!0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394.6K Introduce Yourself
- 44K Getting Started
- 260.5K Health and Weight Loss
- 176.1K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.7K Fitness and Exercise
- 444 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 4.1K MyFitnessPal Information
- 16 News and Announcements
- 1.3K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.8K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions