Fitbit works for me because...

mdnorthside

It's pretty darn accurate. I've seen a lot of complaints on the internet about Fitbit products being inaccurate, and that has not been my experience. They're not as accurate as more expensive, or more complicated equipment, which is to be expected. However, my Charge HR has been an absolutely instrumental part of my weight loss. I have been on and off the bandwagon for many years. I generally picked a calorie limit and just stuck with it, adding extra calories for exercise. But that misses out on this whole other category of movement! There are days when I'm sitting on the couch the whole day, and day's when I walk nearly 15 miles just going around campus. That's a huge difference in calories - and it needs to be taken into account.

I have been steadily losing about 1.5lbs a week by:

1. Eating 1,000 calories less than my Fitbit calorie count at the end of the day
2. Doing 4 sets, 12 reps of two weight exercises each morning to build muscle

That's all! If that doesn't sound like a good deal to you I don't know what would.

jbatinker

Reminds me to move and has motivated me to hit those 10,000 steps per day. I have a desk job and was pretty lazy before I started this journey!

forruths

I'm in total agreement. Linking my Fitbit Charge HR and MFP has been the difference between success and failure for me this time. They are helping me to develop a new relationship with food and exercise.

brittaney10811

Same!!

Mrsmonas

I love my alta! I linked it to mfp and get a nice amount of calories added daily. I thought it was too good to be true at first, but then I saw my weight steadily dropping!

tjames30

Love my fitbit!

AlanaWood1234

I just linked my fitbit with mfp a few days ago and I am loving it. The fitbit motivates me to move and I really can't go longer than it takes to charge without out now. I really feel like this is going to help me really see some results this time around!

michelleepotter

I did pretty well before I got my Fitbit, and I wouldn't have bought one for myself. But I got a Flex as a Christmas gift in 2014, and I LOVED it. It's just extra information, and I find it helpful! I love it so much that this year I bought an Alta for my birthday. The fact that it's useful as more than just a pedometer (it's also a watch, gives me reminders from my phone, and alerts me to calls and texts) helps keep me from taking it off and forgetting about it.

Labouffecestbon

I have to agree that it is quite accurate. Fitbit flex worked for me in the past. Now, after baby #3, I'm back in business, and the Charge HR motivates me like no other. I'm still amazed at how many calories I burn just from daily activities (housewife, 2 toddlers, 1 infant). I figured out my TDEE from the weekly reports and cut from that. When I anticipate changes in my daily life, I adjust accordingly. So far though, Fitbit agrees with me. I went a couple of weeks without it and almost cried. Almost. Judge all you want. Lol

l_juliett

Agreed, Love my fitbit
Hopefully can now try to lose some weight with MFP and my fitbit. Just need to find the right balance now.

carmexaldewin87

I agree! Fitbit Blaze here and had the Charge hr before. It's so great to monitor in real time your stats!

mdnorthside

Labouffecestbon wrote: »

I have to agree that it is quite accurate. Fitbit flex worked for me in the past. Now, after baby #3, I'm back in business, and the Charge HR motivates me like no other. I'm still amazed at how many calories I burn just from daily activities (housewife, 2 toddlers, 1 infant). I figured out my TDEE from the weekly reports and cut from that. When I anticipate changes in my daily life, I adjust accordingly. So far though, Fitbit agrees with me. I went a couple of weeks without it and almost cried. Almost. Judge all you want. Lol

I felt the same way when I went on a week vacation to Florida and forgot my charger cable. No judgement here

rosebette

The Fitbit keeps me from overeating. When I see how many calories my activities have used over the day, and I know what I've eaten so far, if the Fitbit is showing that my eating is "even" with my activity calories, I know what I'm feeling is thirst or boredom, not true hunger.

jbatinker

I also love my Alta - Love the reminders, texts, calendar appts, etc

tiffanylacourse

I love my Charge HR so much that I have a hideous tan line from wearing it every day. BUT, no one knows about that hideous tan line BECAUSE I wear it every day - so, WIN. lol

Seriously - I love my Charge HR. It reminds me to get moving instead of sitting at my desk all day like a zombie.

MiscCatFunt

I've had the one for a couple of years and it's an absolutely awesome bit of kit. Especially at the start of my journey. Once you get down to the lowest reaches of body fat it definitely over calculates calories but I no longer use it for that function and merely keep it for the steps.

I'm awaiting the next generation of these wearables, one that calculates calories based on heart rate not just steps. Also one that knows when I am lifting weights, what I'm doing, can help with form and such. Has GPS, has smartphone linkage, waterproof and at least a weeks battery between charges. Basically I want everything, cos that's how I am.

RandiNoelle

Love my FitBit! I love all the data I get from it, lol! Plus there's some real accountability when it comes to moving my body! I love seeing the little graphic that flashes when I surpass my step goal!

Annahbananas

My Fitbit is pretty inaccurate. For example, today it says I burned 256 calories so far from exercise.....and I've been in bed the entire time with a bad summer cold.

However, I do like my Fitbit because it keeps me accountable. When it comes to calories burned, I pretty much ignore that because the hr on a Fitbit is wildly inaccurate.

But I have many friends on Fitbit and we do keep each other accountable

And linking it with mfp is pretty darn awesome

Annahbananas

mdnorthside

If it makes a difference to you - I don't have my Fitbit and MFP linked. I simple eat 1,000 less calories than what's listed on the Fitbit at the end of the day. I don't know whether the "exercise adjustments" are more or less accurate than Fitbits are at total calorie burn

julie2038

mdnorthside wrote: »

If it makes a difference to you - I don't have my Fitbit and MFP linked. I simple eat 1,000 less calories than what's listed on the Fitbit at the end of the day. I don't know whether the "exercise adjustments" are more or less accurate than Fitbits are at total calorie burn

What do you mean? Do you subtract calories eaten from calories burn?

RainaProske

Just took a quiz on Amazon which was supposed to tell me what Fitbit to buy. Its answer was the Fitbit Alta. One thing I still don't know, however, is whether or not I need a Smart Phone to use it. (So far, I've refused to buy a Smart Phone.) If I don't have a Smart Phone, how will that restrict the Fitbit Alta's use? Thank you!

malibu927

RainaProske wrote: »

Just took a quiz on Amazon which was supposed to tell me what Fitbit to buy. Its answer was the Fitbit Alta. One thing I still don't know, however, is whether or not I need a Smart Phone to use it. (So far, I've refused to buy a Smart Phone.) If I don't have a Smart Phone, how will that restrict the Fitbit Alta's use? Thank you!

You don't need a smartphone. Most, if not all of the Fitbits come with a USB dongle you can plug into your computer to sync your Fitbit. The drawback is you aren't able to compete in challenges with friends without the smartphone app.

mdnorthside

Yep Julie2038,
I keep a deficit between 500-1000 all day and then an hour or so after dinner I check my deficit and if it's more than 1000 by a lot I eat a snack.

RainaProske

Thank you @malibu927 ! I appreciate your answer.

Bmoremama

MiscCatFunt wrote: »

I've had the one for a couple of years and it's an absolutely awesome bit of kit. Especially at the start of my journey. Once you get down to the lowest reaches of body fat it definitely over calculates calories but I no longer use it for that function and merely keep it for the steps.

I'm awaiting the next generation of these wearables, one that calculates calories based on heart rate not just steps. Also one that knows when I am lifting weights, what I'm doing, can help with form and such. Has GPS, has smartphone linkage, waterproof and at least a weeks battery between charges. Basically I want everything, cos that's how I am.

I feel the same. I love my fitbit but today I took a non-strenuous walk for 23 minutes and later ran (fast! hard! sweaty!) on the elliptical for 23 minutes. My Alta logged me as basically the same calorie burn for each of these activities. There is no way that is accurate. I know the Alta does not have HR but from what I understand the HR function would not solve this problem with current models anyway.

Tara4boys

LOVE my Alta!!! It has really motivated me to add more "lifestyle" exercise/steps to my life and those are habits that I can use FOREVER!

karl317

There's nothing like having a small, electronic overlord that only eats steps attached to your body.

People go on and on about how inaccurate fitbits might or might not be, particularly with regards to the heart monitoring function. Some people recommend other brands (and just WAIT until you see how crappy their competitors' software apps are).

I've got 90+ pounds shed, and I absolutely credit my fitbit at least partially for that success. I have no plans to give mine up.

Ever.

Bmoremama

Good points. It does get me moving more during the day.

MiyazakiChick

I had and loved my Basis Peak but it was recalled. I'm in love with my FitBit Blaze and it has an illuminating display. (Peak lit up with prodding) I'm impressed with the accuracy. I'm fond of walking a path with mile markers and my distance is spot on.

tiffanylacourse

Annahbananas wrote: »

I think you misunderstand how the MFP/Fitbit sync works. MFP estimates your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure - which includes everything from sitting, standing, breathing - as well as any activity included in the activity level you selected during setup) and is set at that number. Fitbit also calculates your TDEE using it's own system. If your TDEE is higher via Fitbit than what MFP thinks it should be, you get an adjustment for the difference. So you probably did burn that much more than what MFP thought you would. Especially with your goal set so low.

Hope that helps - best of luck! :flowerforyou: