Is it worth it to get a calorie tracker?

Melmo1988

Like a fitbit or something similar? I got a watch type one from Walmart and it said I burned 1,037 calories on my 75 minute walk but MFP says just over 600. I used MFP and now I'm wondering if there is even a point to using them if they are not accurate.

AJ_G

Some people think they absolutely need it, others see it as a useful tool, then there are others who think that they're unnecessary. I'm somewhere between thinking they're a useful tool, and thinking they're not worth the money as most of them aren't very accurate anyway.

harrybananas

Logging your food is the best calorie tracker.

joann207

I love my fitbit but I use it more for the steps, its really just a motivator for me.

slinke2014

I really enjoy my fitbit. I know I could do just fine without it but I like getting all my steps everyday so its just a little motivator. I got mine free through work so I don't know if I would have splurged on it on my own. I sync MFP and I find its pretty dang accurate for adding back exercise calories...at least for me.

VegasFit

I think it's individual. I have always like gadgets. I had the first bodybugg and I have an HRM that is practically first generation still lying around. I'm currently using a Garmin Vivosmart and a Forerunner 305. Before that just basic HRMs. Would my workouts change if I wasn't wearing the tracker, no, but it's fun to see the information and steps. As far as info goes my Forerunner definitely gives me more feedback on hikes, long walks and runs but even then I use it more so to track my routes and pace. IMO trackers aren't that expensive so it's not a break the bank item so it's fun to have especially now that you can find them in places like Costco so if you don't love it just return it.

Melmo1988

I just want to know how many calories I am burning so I know how many to eat back. So I don't know if I am actually burning 600 or 1,000

VegasFit

I always err on the side of caution when it comes to calories burned. So if MFP told me 600 I would probably lesson that number a little too but that's just me.

Melmo1988

Yea I logged the number MFP gave me just to be safe, but I am eating 1200 calories a day plus exercise so I don't want to eat too little.

CassidyScaglione

I think so... Now if I could only afford one!

VegasFit

Melmo1988 wrote: »

Yea I logged the number MFP gave me just to be safe, but I am eating 1200 calories a day plus exercise so I don't want to eat too little.

Is that working for you, 1800 calories or so every day? I mean if it's working great.

Melmo1988

I just started so I don't know yet.

VegasFit

Melmo1988 wrote: »

I just started so I don't know yet.

Then I would just track religiously, gauge your progress and adjust according! Good luck to you!

Melmo1988

Thanks!

3dogsrunning

For some, yes, it is worth it. For others, not so much,

Keep in mind that every single one is just an estimate. There is no exact outside of a lab. Every method of estimation, including MFP, activity trackers, HRMs, all have their strengths and weaknesses.

Lots of people lose weight just fine without an activity tracker. If you feel it might be something useful to you, whether that type of info will encourage you to be more active or more accountable, than it might be for you.

srecupid

I have a vivofit 2 I paid like $50 for. It's more comfortable than any traditional watch I've ever owned. It's just a nice tool to have at your disposal. Like I am using it as an alternative to setting mfp as lightly active. If it motivates you to move more go for it. I personally wear it just to get an idea of if i'm lightly active or sedentary.

shadow2soul

Melmo1988 wrote: »

Like a fitbit or something similar? I got a watch type one from Walmart and it said I burned 1,037 calories on my 75 minute walk but MFP says just over 600. I used MFP and now I'm wondering if there is even a point to using them if they are not accurate.

What exactly did you buy?

A Fitbit or Garmin activity tracker for example will display your total calorie burn. This means the calorie burn you will see on either device will be BMR (up to the current time*) + daily activity + exercise = a Total Daily Calorie Burn (aka estimated TDEE based on what it tracked you doing). These are meant to be worn all day and since these two models sync with MFP, they can adjust your goal so that you only get the extra calories burned.
Example:
MFP estimates I burn 1812 calories a day based on a lightly active setting.
Fitbit, yesterday for example, calculated my TDEE to be 2281.
2281-1812 = 469 (MFP does this math for me and adds it to my exercise diary as a Fitbit Calorie Adjustment)
I could eat an additional 469 calories yesterday and still maintain my 500 calorie deficit.

*Fitbit and Garmin devices estimate your BMR and then break it apart into time segments. Fitbit does 15 min segments. So every 15 mins, I get 14 calories added to my calorie burn and any activity calories are added on top of that.

callsitlikeiseeit

i have a fitbit charge hr.

i use it for random data. nothing else. ill probably end up selling it when i tire of it....