Issue With Negative Calories in MFP

TheJaredGuy

Anyone notice how negative tracked calories don’t add up correctly in my fitness pal? It should be adding to your daily allowance not subtracting. Is there a setting I don’t know about that can correct this?

Thanks.

tcunbeliever

I believe the negative adjustment means you have not been as active as the activity level you selected when you set up your profile. There is a way to turn it off, but I use the desktop version, so not sure how to do that in the app.

TheJaredGuy

tcunbeliever wrote: »

I believe the negative adjustment means you have not been as active as the activity level you selected when you set up your profile. There is a way to turn it off, but I use the desktop version, so not sure how to do that in the app.

That makes sence. Thank you!

kimny72

Your fitbit isn't just crediting you with exercise calories. It takes the calories it expects you to burn per day based on your activity setting, looks at how far into the day you are, and sends either a negative adjustment if you are behind, or a positive adjustment if you are on pace or ahead.

So for example, if I'm set on Fitbit to lightly active so it's expecting me to get let's say 6000 steps today, but I've been sitting all day and it's 4 PM and I've only gotten 2000 steps so it looks like I'm in danger of not getting all my steps, it will send a negative adjustment to MFP to take away calories so I don't overeat.

Your picture is showing your Fitbit thinks you aren't being as active today as you set yourself up for. If it doesn't seem correct, make sure your activity level and time zone settings on Fitbit are correct.

CSARdiver

What did you set your activity level at?




Looks like you set this to active or very active and MFP is adjusting your calories accordingly. Note that regardless of what you set this the endpoint will be the same, but your exercise input numbers will shift accordingly. As @kimny72 described you simply did not hit your expected number of steps and MFP is reacting as programmed.

kimny72

Just to add, because this confused me at first, some days at 3PM I'll have a -150 calorie adjustment because I've been stuck at my desk. Then I get a bunch of steps in, and the next time I sync I have a -75 calorie adjustment. And then if I'm active in the evening, I'll end the day with a +50 calorie adjustment. It takes some getting used to