Added calories from fitbit steps

danjello

Do people eat the calories that are added when you sync your fitbit? So far today my fitbit has added over 715 calories with my 13,400 steps. I don't intend to eat any of them but i am wondering what other people do. Do you use it as a little buffer to have a treat at the end of the day? Do you just count it as exersize and not eat any of them? Do you save them up so you dont feel guilty on a cheat day? I almost hate having my fitbit linked because i have to figure out how many calories i have left without the one's added from my steps. Thanks guys.

Christine_72

The general concensus is to start by eating 50-75% of your exercise calories back. Then depending on weight loss, adjust from there. Losing too quickly, eat back more. Losing slower than your chosen amount, eat back less. Really, it's trial and error, ideally eating back 100% is what we all want, but inaccurate logging/burns come into play.
IMO there is no such thing as 100% perfect calories in/calories out.

rachelr1116

It depends on how accurate your Fitbit is. When I was using my Zip I found that I could eat all of the added calories and still lose at the weekly rate I had selected on MFP. If you are using MFP as it is designed to be used you should be eating at least some of your exercise calories.

CyberTone

When I first got my Charge HR in August 2015, I did not sync it with MFP for four weeks; I wanted to do a four week comparison of data. I had put on about 10 pounds over my goal weight and needed to get back down to my goal. At that time, I thought the Charge HR was overestimating my Calorie burn. After the four weeks, I compared the data and realized that I could eat more than I had been and still lose weight at my desired rate (a half pound per week). I synced the Fitbit, dropped logging my exercise Calories on MFP, and trusted the Fitbit total daily projection and averaged eating back about 90% of those extra Calories. I was happier, less hungry, and I lost the weight on target. I used a food scale to weigh all solids and made sure I verified the food items I logged.

deluxmary2000

Mine is surprisingly accurate, so yes, I eat most of them back.
I think I'm set to lightly active, so it doesn't start giving me extra calories until I go past about 7,000 steps.

KatzeDerNacht22

I don't eat them back, I see it as a better way to create a deficit, then again, if my goal is 2000 calories, and I truthfully exercised for 500... maybe I'd eat 2100, no more, kinda feels like a waste for me.

sarajenivieve

My fitbit allows for more cals than MFP so I aim for the MFP but know I am safe as long as I am still in my fitbit range even if i went over MFP. I like the wiggle room.