How to properly setup fitbit charge HR with MFP?

absoluttalent

I just received my new fitbit charge hr the other day. Trying to use it properly.
Should I leave my MPF activity at sedetary? Or put it back to where I normally have it during the week of lightly active?

Also, how tight do I need the band? I had it on before and it was hurting a bit where the HR sensors were, so I loosened it. But Now im not sure if its too loose to get a accurate reading.

Is there also a learning period? Like are the calorie adjustments going to be high now since first using it but will drop over time when it gets a feel for my resting heartrate? Or is it pretty much good to go from the start?

steuartcj

Google Fit bit users manual. It explains everything. The manual that's in the box is almost useless.

malibu927

It's up to you what level you choose. Some prefer sedentary so they can see a higher Fitbit adjustment. Some prefer lightly active so they can start with more calories. Whichever you do, make sure you have negative calories enabled so you don't overeat on a less active day.

steuartcj

Try the negative calorie thing. I didn't like it so it's unchecked. YOU decide. I'm 64 not real active but do go to the gym (not a gym rat ). Been losing 1-2 pounds per week. Your mileage may vary..

Maxematics

I have a Charge HR also. Here are key pieces of advice that you should follow.

1. Enable negative adjustments. Without enabling them, there is little point of your Fitbit being linked to MFP. You want to be honest with yourself about how much you can eat to lose weight.
2. Do NOT wear it tight on your arm. It should be a finger's width away from your wrist bone and loose enough so that it can wiggle a bit when you try to move it. It should not slide up and down on your wrist as you move, though. It should not hurt your arm to have it on. If it does, it is too tight.
3. When exercising, it's better to move it two to three of your fingers' width away from your wrist bone for a better HR readout. Again, it should be loose enough that you can wiggle it a bit when you touch it, but not so loose that it's sliding off of your arm.

Also, this is what I choose to do, but you don't have to follow it.

1. Set my MFP activity level to Sedentary. I am far from sedentary, but I like to see my adjustments increase as the day goes along rather than bounce up and down. I don't like to just assume my activity level so I start with the smallest level possible.
2. For the Fitbit food plan, I set mine to Sedentary instead of Personalized. When I had it on Personalized, it would make my calorie allowance jump up and down throughout the day and I found that to be annoying. With the Sedentary plan, I start with a very low calorie allowance and earn calories as I go. This happens FAST, so although I start my day with an allowance of 1280 for maintenance, I'm allowed to eat anywhere from 1900 to 2300 by the end of my day. I find it to be much more straightforward than Fitbit guessing what my activity level will be that day.

absoluttalent

Thanks for the help. The hardest part so far is getting used to it. I've never been a watch person, so having something on my arm all the time is weird. Previously I had a jawbone up move, just clipped and went. And software still learning