Fitbit Flex and Erronous steps/calories
elphie754
Posts: 7,574 Member
I went back to my flex because I absolutely love it. Only problem is, it gives me steps for things that are not walking.
I have started to notice that if I am in the back of an ambulance (work) and the road is particularly bad (it's Nyc they are ALL bad lol) it will give me sometimes 100+ step depending on where I am sitting.
I know how to correct/override calories burned, and do it quite often because my flex loves counting CPR compressions as steps, but wondering if there was an easier way? It kind of annoying to continuously have to go into MFP, chose the time I started and how long performed. Maybe I should just decrease the amount of activity calories I eat back?
Anyone have any ideas?
I have started to notice that if I am in the back of an ambulance (work) and the road is particularly bad (it's Nyc they are ALL bad lol) it will give me sometimes 100+ step depending on where I am sitting.
I know how to correct/override calories burned, and do it quite often because my flex loves counting CPR compressions as steps, but wondering if there was an easier way? It kind of annoying to continuously have to go into MFP, chose the time I started and how long performed. Maybe I should just decrease the amount of activity calories I eat back?
Anyone have any ideas?
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Replies
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I use Drivebit. It's a small app that integrates with Fitbit. It is a simple "start" and "stop" app for driving. At the end of your drive, it will log it to Fitbit for you, and erase any erroneous steps for the duration.0
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I use Drivebit. It's a small app that integrates with Fitbit. It is a simple "start" and "stop" app for driving. At the end of your drive, it will log it to Fitbit for you, and erase any erroneous steps for the duration.
Awesome! Will try it. Unfortunately I don't always have time to open an app, but it's better than nothing. Can you go back in time to edit drive time?0 -
wow if you need a special app to prevent steps while driving I suggest a different tracker.
I use a jawbone and don't worry about that at all ever...
ETA: and yes I have used a fitbit...didn't like it at all.1 -
wow if you need a special app to prevent steps while driving I suggest a different tracker.
I use a jawbone and don't worry about that at all ever...
ETA: and yes I have used a fitbit...didn't like it at all.
I don't have a problem with it in my car at all. It maybe logs 1-5 steps driving in my car. The issue is at work only.0 -
I went back to my flex because I absolutely love it. Only problem is, it gives me steps for things that are not walking.
I have started to notice that if I am in the back of an ambulance (work) and the road is particularly bad (it's Nyc they are ALL bad lol) it will give me sometimes 100+ step depending on where I am sitting.
I know how to correct/override calories burned, and do it quite often because my flex loves counting CPR compressions as steps, but wondering if there was an easier way? It kind of annoying to continuously have to go into MFP, chose the time I started and how long performed. Maybe I should just decrease the amount of activity calories I eat back?
Anyone have any ideas?
Yeah don't eat back these general calories that your body is already accustom to burning. Only count the calories from actual exercise or cardio activity like running jogging or purposely going on a walk.0 -
I think you deserve steps for performing chest compressions!6
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What about sticking it your pocket or something while your at work?0
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Tedebearduff wrote: »I went back to my flex because I absolutely love it. Only problem is, it gives me steps for things that are not walking.
I have started to notice that if I am in the back of an ambulance (work) and the road is particularly bad (it's Nyc they are ALL bad lol) it will give me sometimes 100+ step depending on where I am sitting.
I know how to correct/override calories burned, and do it quite often because my flex loves counting CPR compressions as steps, but wondering if there was an easier way? It kind of annoying to continuously have to go into MFP, chose the time I started and how long performed. Maybe I should just decrease the amount of activity calories I eat back?
Anyone have any ideas?
Yeah don't eat back these general calories that your body is already accustom to burning. Only count the calories from actual exercise or cardio activity like running jogging or purposely going on a walk.
My days vary in intensity at work, so I have level set to sedentary and eat back about 40-50% of what I burn because the shift can get rather strenuous at times. Just wondering if that might be too high especially with the added "steps".numbnumbnumb wrote: »I think you deserve steps for performing chest compressions!
Lol!!! I am never doing them long enough to really be considering them (at least not in my mind), it isn't continuous (2-5 minutes). It ends up adding steps for everything else I do on scene after someone takes over compressions as well.shadow2soul wrote: »What about sticking it your pocket or something while your at work?
Honestly? I'd lose it. That's how I lost my first Fitbit.0 -
My Fitbit charge hr logs flights of stairs... I've gone up maybe 1 today, & am somehow at 4.1
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healthykaitlin wrote: »My Fitbit charge hr logs flights of stairs... I've gone up maybe 1 today, & am somehow at 4.
@healthykaitlin - that's because it uses air pressure changes to count " floors ". Thankfully though this is just a fun stat feature and doesn't actually effect calorie burn. I got 20 something one time during a storm.0 -
For these issues, I think the One is the best model. Does not react to hand/arm movements. Has never given me 'extra' steps while driving either.0
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healthykaitlin wrote: »My Fitbit charge hr logs flights of stairs... I've gone up maybe 1 today, & am somehow at 4.
This feature will also measure if you walk up a hill or something that equals about 10 feet (not quite sure) and since it doesn't count towards calories it doesn't really matter. But yes, in windy weather here I can sometimes rack up 80 floors.
But in general I have never paid much attention to getting a couple of hundred erroneous steps, it makes absolutely no difference in the grand scheme of things.
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StaciMarie1974 wrote: »For these issues, I think the One is the best model. Does not react to hand/arm movements. Has never given me 'extra' steps while driving either.
Same here - I've never had a problem with the One0 -
StaciMarie1974 wrote: »For these issues, I think the One is the best model. Does not react to hand/arm movements. Has never given me 'extra' steps while driving either.
I had the one for a while but absolutely hated it.shadow2soul wrote: »healthykaitlin wrote: »My Fitbit charge hr logs flights of stairs... I've gone up maybe 1 today, & am somehow at 4.
@healthykaitlin - that's because it uses air pressure changes to count " floors ". Thankfully though this is just a fun stat feature and doesn't actually effect calorie burn. I got 20 something one time during a storm.
This is why I don't get a tracker that does floors.
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NorthCascades wrote: »
Because other than this slight nuance at work, I love my flex. It help me lose over 60 lbs already (had been 90 but gained some back).0 -
When I had a Samsung phone, it would let me alter the active entry before I submitted it. I did not see a way to go back in time in Drivebit. However, on the iPhone version I have now, it doesn't seem to allow me to change it at all (could be a user issue). In those cases, you would still have to log it into Fitbit.I use Drivebit. It's a small app that integrates with Fitbit. It is a simple "start" and "stop" app for driving. At the end of your drive, it will log it to Fitbit for you, and erase any erroneous steps for the duration.
Awesome! Will try it. Unfortunately I don't always have time to open an app, but it's better than nothing. Can you go back in time to edit drive time?
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Tedebearduff wrote: »I went back to my flex because I absolutely love it. Only problem is, it gives me steps for things that are not walking.
I have started to notice that if I am in the back of an ambulance (work) and the road is particularly bad (it's Nyc they are ALL bad lol) it will give me sometimes 100+ step depending on where I am sitting.
I know how to correct/override calories burned, and do it quite often because my flex loves counting CPR compressions as steps, but wondering if there was an easier way? It kind of annoying to continuously have to go into MFP, chose the time I started and how long performed. Maybe I should just decrease the amount of activity calories I eat back?
Anyone have any ideas?
Yeah don't eat back these general calories that your body is already accustom to burning. Only count the calories from actual exercise or cardio activity like running jogging or purposely going on a walk.
Fitbit accounts for this based on your activity level setting.0 -
To each his own, but I don't find using Drivebit a bother. My Charge HR has really helped me to lose 87 lbs so far. All the trackers have their own issues. When mine dies or breaks, I will reconsider all the options.NorthCascades wrote: »
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Wrist worn trackers are known for adding bogus steps...
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StaciMarie1974 wrote: »For these issues, I think the One is the best model. Does not react to hand/arm movements. Has never given me 'extra' steps while driving either.
I settled on the One after reading reviews on Amazon about other models miscounting steps. I love it but am always afraid of forgetting to switch it from clothes or losing it, which the OP said happened to her previous model that she had in a pocket. I work from home and don't wear a bra here, otherwise that's where I'd clip it.0 -
My brother in law had the same problem and now wears his around his ankle and it seems to be more accurate. I have a Garmin Vivoactive tracker/watch so wearing on an ankle isn't an option
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When I had a Samsung phone, it would let me alter the active entry before I submitted it. I did not see a way to go back in time in Drivebit. However, on the iPhone version I have now, it doesn't seem to allow me to change it all (could be a user issue). In those cases, you would still have to log it into Fitbit.I use Drivebit. It's a small app that integrates with Fitbit. It is a simple "start" and "stop" app for driving. At the end of your drive, it will log it to Fitbit for you, and erase any erroneous steps for the duration.
Awesome! Will try it. Unfortunately I don't always have time to open an app, but it's better than nothing. Can you go back in time to edit drive time?
Okay-still better than nothing.Tedebearduff wrote: »I went back to my flex because I absolutely love it. Only problem is, it gives me steps for things that are not walking.
I have started to notice that if I am in the back of an ambulance (work) and the road is particularly bad (it's Nyc they are ALL bad lol) it will give me sometimes 100+ step depending on where I am sitting.
I know how to correct/override calories burned, and do it quite often because my flex loves counting CPR compressions as steps, but wondering if there was an easier way? It kind of annoying to continuously have to go into MFP, chose the time I started and how long performed. Maybe I should just decrease the amount of activity calories I eat back?
Anyone have any ideas?
Yeah don't eat back these general calories that your body is already accustom to burning. Only count the calories from actual exercise or cardio activity like running jogging or purposely going on a walk.
Fitbit accounts for this based on your activity level setting.
Exactly.RunRutheeRun wrote: »Wrist worn trackers are known for adding bogus steps...
Yes-I know. Like I said, I already account for this, was just wondering if there was an easier way.
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ShanghaiJoe wrote: »My brother in law had the same problem and now wears his around his ankle and it seems to be more accurate. I have a Garmin Vivoactive tracker/watch so wearing on an ankle isn't an option
Can't really wear it on my ankle at work. I wear boots that are pretty high that would make it really uncomfortable.0 -
@elphie754 , I should add that I have the free version of Drivebit for iPhone. The paid version may have more features.
Okay-still better than nothing.
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@elphie754 , I should add that I have the free version of Drivebit for iPhone. The paid version may have more features.
Okay-still better than nothing.
I downloaded the free version. The paid version only seems to offer the ability to name your commutes which seems pointless to me lol.0 -
I went back to my flex because I absolutely love it. Only problem is, it gives me steps for things that are not walking.
Anyone have any ideas?
It isn't a pedometer, it records movement / acceleration and expresses it as "steps" but fundamentally it's measuring something else, as your experience confirms.
Your body is doing stuff in response to the forces exerted on it, and it's possible (I have no idea) that the outcome is an accurate measure of effort expended.0 -
I went back to my flex because I absolutely love it. Only problem is, it gives me steps for things that are not walking.
Anyone have any ideas?
It isn't a pedometer, it records movement / acceleration and expresses it as "steps" but fundamentally it's measuring something else, as your experience confirms.
Your body is doing stuff in response to the forces exerted on it, and it's possible (I have no idea) that the outcome is an accurate measure of effort expended.
You this. It isn't just a step counter. It is an activity tracker. If you are driving you are active. Maybe not as active as if you are walking but you are still moving around. The 100 "steps" it gives you while diving is pretty negligible and is likely a reasonable reflection of your energy expenditure for the thing you are doing. Chest compressions are heavy work and again your tracker is reflecting that.
Relax and trust the gadget.0 -
shadowfax_c11 wrote: »I went back to my flex because I absolutely love it. Only problem is, it gives me steps for things that are not walking.
Anyone have any ideas?
It isn't a pedometer, it records movement / acceleration and expresses it as "steps" but fundamentally it's measuring something else, as your experience confirms.
Your body is doing stuff in response to the forces exerted on it, and it's possible (I have no idea) that the outcome is an accurate measure of effort expended.
You this. It isn't just a step counter. It is an activity tracker. If you are driving you are active. Maybe not as active as if you are walking but you are still moving around. The 100 "steps" it gives you while diving is pretty negligible and is likely a reasonable reflection of your energy expenditure for the thing you are doing. Chest compressions are heavy work and again your tracker is reflecting that.
Relax and trust the gadget.
Except when I don't adjust for these things manually, I don't lose the expected weight.0
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