Advice Please re. fitbit calories burned

MissSusieQ

Hi guys,
Does anyone know how accurate the 'calories burned' on my fitbit surge are? I thought they'd be quite accurate, since it knows my body stats and is monitoring my heart rate 24/7, but wanted to ask since there's so many people out there who know more about this stuff than me!

Pawsforme

I've had my Fitbit Charge HR since the first week of August and based on my calorie intake and weight loss I find the TDEE info my Fitbit provides to be quite accurate. If anything I believe it slightly under-estimates my TDEE, but it's possible I'm slightly over-estimating my calorie intake instead. Of course accuracy depends a lot on wearing it correctly and having your settings adjusted correctly.

MissSusieQ

well I know I'm wearing it correctly and my heart rate readings have been accurate every time I've checked them manually, so I'm happy with that side of it. what do you mean about having my settings adjusted correctly? My age, height and gender are unlikely to change (well, sadly, my age will eventually), and I keep my weight up to date - is that what you mean?

MommyMeggo

My ChargeHR is pretty accurate after going back to look at my data/trends. It matches well with the TDEE calculator data.
I dont pay attention to what my HR is TBH. I know its a feature but dont think of it much beyond that.
However, I dont eat back ALL of any extra calories. I make sure Im still in a deficit but I leave some uneaten at the end of the day. I assume 60%-75% of that readout (from actual exercise) is trust worthy.

janejellyroll

I have been eating back the activity adjustments from my Charge HR since last July and have been losing/maintaining exactly as I expected.

WinoGelato

I have had a FitBit Flex for about 2.5 years. I trusted the exercise adjustments while losing and now that I successfully am maintaining, I trust its TDEE estimate of ~2200 for me.

It is important to make sure that the goals are consistent between MFP and FitBit, i.e. If you have MFP set to lose 1 lb/week you would want a similar goal in FitBit.

I also increased my activity level from sedentary on MFP after getting my FitBit and realizing that averaging 12K and now 15K steps a day gave me huge adjustments. Now I have a higher baseline of calories but my adjustments are more representative of my actual exercise.

Pawsforme

MissSusieQ wrote: »

well I know I'm wearing it correctly and my heart rate readings have been accurate every time I've checked them manually, so I'm happy with that side of it. what do you mean about having my settings adjusted correctly? My age, height and gender are unlikely to change (well, sadly, my age will eventually), and I keep my weight up to date - is that what you mean?

Yes. And make sure to measure and set your stride length accurately. Also, if you tend to have a lot of hand movement you may find that you get a more accurate reading by wearing it on your non-dominant wrist but adjusting your setting as if it's on your dominant wrist.

Colorscheme

Pawsforme wrote: »

MissSusieQ wrote: »

well I know I'm wearing it correctly and my heart rate readings have been accurate every time I've checked them manually, so I'm happy with that side of it. what do you mean about having my settings adjusted correctly? My age, height and gender are unlikely to change (well, sadly, my age will eventually), and I keep my weight up to date - is that what you mean?

Yes. And make sure to measure and set your stride length accurately. Also, if you tend to have a lot of hand movement you may find that you get a more accurate reading by wearing it on your non-dominant wrist but adjusting your setting as if it's on your dominant wrist.

Yeah, and Fitbit also counts car rides as steps, like if you hit a bump.

MommyMeggo

Colorscheme wrote: »

Pawsforme wrote: »

MissSusieQ wrote: »

well I know I'm wearing it correctly and my heart rate readings have been accurate every time I've checked them manually, so I'm happy with that side of it. what do you mean about having my settings adjusted correctly? My age, height and gender are unlikely to change (well, sadly, my age will eventually), and I keep my weight up to date - is that what you mean?

Yes. And make sure to measure and set your stride length accurately. Also, if you tend to have a lot of hand movement you may find that you get a more accurate reading by wearing it on your non-dominant wrist but adjusting your setting as if it's on your dominant wrist.

Yeah, and Fitbit also counts car rides as steps, like if you hit a bump.

Story. Of. My. Life.
I have to log my commutes.