Fitbit Versa over estimating calories burnt

jordanhillary

I have been experiencing difficulty losing weight since I purchased my Fitbit Versa. I was losing steadily before I bought it just by weighing/logging and being honest about my activity level. I know I know, don't fix it if it ain't broke....but I thought purchasing the Fitbit would actually streamline things for me so I wouldn't have to do calculate as much data.

The burns it gives me are crazy high. It also tracks steps every time I drive(I learned that I could delete those steps added during my drive time but it's so annoying to have to do that)
I've tried wearing it on my non-dominant hand. I work a high stress job, so perhaps that attributes to something?

Anyway, does anyone have any tips? At this point I'm not syncing my Fitbit with MFP and literally the only thing I look at is my steps for the day so it's essentially a glorified($225) pedometer that I'm kinda disappointed about.

I realize I could track again for 3-4 weeks and adjust accordingly but man I gotta say I'm just bummed that it's made losing weight more difficult.

If I left out any relative information that would help you to offer advice, please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you!

angelspartz

I also have gained weight since buying my Fitbit versa. I liked tracking my food better wigh the my fitness app better so am switching back and see what happens.

heybales

It can work well for average users in average usage conditions.

All kind of factors can make it work poorly.

If genetics or stress cause HR to always be inflated overage avg person - it may be using HR-based calorie burn at the worst end of the range causing badly inflated calorie burn.
Those times it should be assuming workouts too so you'd see it.

If extra steps being seen because of living situation - that is annoying. There are some apps that allow starting a drive time, end it - and they correct the Fitbit with a synced in workout. Still another app, but still.

If the distance from valid steps is off too - usually high, then more inflation.

Ever walked a known distance (more than 1/2 mile, closer to 1 mile better) at avg daily pace like 2 mph or less, not grocery store shuffle, not exercise level pace?
Then see what the Fitbit saw as distance.

May need some stride correction for walking which is likely the majority of your day.

Those are a few things that can assist it being closer.

But some workouts (lifting) should be manually logged because HR-based is inflated - so some workouts can tend to overestimate too. Though some under.