MFP and Fitbit "steps"

jenn_4085
jenn_4085 Posts: 1 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been using MFP for a while but just received a Fitbit Charge as a gift. I read somewhere that I would need to be sure to add the time to my workouts when I log my exercise on MFP so it can check Fitbit for my activity at that time. Then I read somewhere else that I would not need to log any "step" based exercise (walking, running, etc) in MFP because it would get that info from Fitbit when I synced it. I don't know if either is true but I'm hoping there's a way to get info about my walks/runs to MFP so that I can get more accurately log my calories burned. Anyone know about this? Am I making any sense? =)

Replies

  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    If the exercise is step-based, it will be reflected in your Fitbit calorie adjustment, whether Fitbit logs it automatically as a workout or not. You will need to sync your Fitbit and MFP accounts if you want them to communicate with one another.

    I run, and I use RunKeeper to log my runs - RunKeeper sends workout data to MFP and it shows up as a separate workout in my Exercise Diary. I don't use any other apps when I walk, so Fitbit detects them as workouts, but doesn't send them as a separate item to MFP. The calories I earn are still reflected in my Fitbit adjustment.

    If you do log your walks and runs to MFP, you will have to enter the time to avoid double-dipping on exercise calories.
  • rb_diva
    rb_diva Posts: 1 Member
    i still don't quite understand this. i use runkeeper to track my workouts, and fitbit to track steps generally; they both sync to MFP. i did a 5+ mile walk today, for which MFP gave me a 451-calorie adjustment. however, i've walked another ~3,000 steps today, and MFP just displays the steps, but there are 0 calories adjusted for that. so, i have two questions:

    1. is this correct?
    2. if not, should i delete the walk which was posted by runkeeper and just let the fitbit steps count towards a calorie adjustment?
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    I've never used a Fitbit but there is a huge forum Group (over 156,000 members) on mytfitnesspal all about Fitbits, with a FAQ, tons of threads and lots of knowledge. You may find answers there faster than on the Genpop forums.

    Here's the link, it's in "Groups" https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1290-fitbit-users
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    rb_diva wrote: »
    i still don't quite understand this. i use runkeeper to track my workouts, and fitbit to track steps generally; they both sync to MFP. i did a 5+ mile walk today, for which MFP gave me a 451-calorie adjustment. however, i've walked another ~3,000 steps today, and MFP just displays the steps, but there are 0 calories adjusted for that. so, i have two questions:

    1. is this correct?
    2. if not, should i delete the walk which was posted by runkeeper and just let the fitbit steps count towards a calorie adjustment?

    You don't want two apps to both be sending exercise calories to MFP. So your plan of deleting the runkeeper walk sounds good.

    I use mapmyfitness but I don't have it synched to MFP.

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