Calorie confusion from HRM vs. MFP

PilatesConvert

I've been wearing a Basis B1 fitness monitor the last several days and it claims my daily calorie burning is 2300-2500/day. These days didn't even include strenuous activity. Just my normal life. The basis uses age, gender, weight as baseline inputs, then measures heart rate, steps taken, skin temp, and perspiration continuously (even during sleep).

According to MFP (using age, weight, activity level) My calories burned "From Normal Daily Activity" should be ~ 1830. I'm definitely not earning/tracking 500-1000 calories in exercise every day so what's going on? Did I set myself to sedentary but I'm really not? I've always believed I was able to eat a lot for my gender and size, so maybe the Basis isn't completely crazy.

I know both are just estimations but they seem fairly disparate. Ideas?

Maggie_Pie1

I've been wearing a Basis B1 fitness monitor the last several days and it claims my daily calorie burning is 2300-2500/day. These days didn't even include strenuous activity.

I'm not familiar with that monitor, but I've used a bodymedia fit, which I think does the same thing. I would use your monitors data over MFP in a heartbeat. MFP numbers are going to be based on a very generic formula. Maybe the numbers would match more closely if you picked something other than sedentery, but you can check that.

shadow2soul

Well if it makes you feel better, my loss since March 13 has averaged out to be 2lbs per week.

MFP thinks (changes as I lose weight) my daily burn is: 1990 calories (before exercise...has been as high as 2100)
Fitbit thinks on my lazy days I burn roughly: 1854 calories (on an extremely lazy day)

I aim for 1lb per week loss. So considering the fact that I eat at a 500 calorie deficit each day, according to fitbit and MFP, my daily burn (even with how unactive I am) is probably 500 calories higher than what fitbit thinks.

I looked up your device and I have to say it is pretty cool. The only thing I can say is to try, eating at a deficit from the number given by the Basis for a month. If that doesn't work, then try the MFP number for a month. It really is just a guessing game.

cmriverside

If you have any type of job, go to school, or care for kids at home, don't use Sedentary here - the sedentary setting is too low. Go with Lightly or Moderately active and the numbers should match up with your device a lot better.