Seems like Fit bit is over estimating calories burned

ziyal79

I've had my Fitbit Charge HR for 3 months, and I've noticed that it will tell me that in a day where I walk 8 kilometres and cycle on a stationary bike at moderate intensity for 45 minutes, that I've burned 900 calories.

That seems ridiculous, because though I work out 6 days a week, I'm only 155cms and weigh 72 kilos, I'm a law student studying from home, so I'm stationary most of the time.

Is there a way to get my Fitbit to give me a legitimate reading

malibu927

First, how is your loss going? How much of your Fitbit calories do you eat back?

If you're absolutely certain it's overestimating what you burn, you can manipulate your stats (up your age, lower your height) to get a more suitable number.

NancyN795

I guarantee that you're burning more than 900 calories a day. I suspect you mean that your Fitbit Calorie Adjustment in MFP is 900 calories. It's important to understand the difference and how MFP comes up with that adjustment number.

I would suggest that you read the FAQ found in the stickies. Here's handy link: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10098937/faq-syncing-logging-food-exercise-calorie-adjustments-activity-levels-accuracy/p1

As malibu927 pointed out, there are ways to evaluate how accurate your Fitbit is for you and ways to compensate if it is off, but you've got to have a good handle on all the variables first or you won't accomplish what you're trying to do.

Naruya8

No, I think OP is right, I'm having the same problem. I think the 900 OP is referring too is 900 calories on top of the BMR. It's what I'm getting, and it's ridiculous. The estimated calories for workouts seem to be correct, but it's the walking/constant HR monitoring that's giving me way more calories burned than I'm actually burning.

I've only had the Charge 2 for a couple of days and people were telling me it would get better.. but if you have had it for a couple of months then it isn't looking good. =/

And having to manipulate the app into thinking I'm lighter/smaller shouldn't be necessary. Besides, I'm using the app for a complete view of my health, so I want the BMI, weight loss and everything to be correct in there.

shadowfax_c11

Maybe your fitbit IS giving you a legitimate reading. What are you basing your assumption ,that it is not, on? Just the number that is higher than you expected or did you somehow get tests to find out your actual BMR using a method that is proven 100% accurate?

heybales

The first week of the HR devices it's trying to better estimate calorie burn when HR is used.

And the problem there is using that method of calorie burn instead of step-based, when it really shouldn't be.

Step-based is more accurate when under the exercise level, and most daily activity walking is going to fall under that - shoot - some people exercise level walking is under that point too.

So it may indeed be using HR-based calorie burn for the first week when it should not. Badly inflating calorie burn.

But it should figure out where your avg RestingHR is, and from that calculate a point for when exercise level starts (could still be off), and from that start using the right calorie calculations at the right time.

Of course - someone could be set for Sedentary on MFP and they are well above that normally, or especially with walking more now with motivation - and indeed burn more than 900 above BMR - not that unheard of.