Calorie adjustment

karen2512
karen2512 Posts: 11 Member
edited July 2021 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone

I use MFP alongside my Garmin watch to track steps etc.

I understand the calorie adjustment is based on calories burned but what I don't quite understand Is how they can be so different. On Monday I walked 9235 steps and was given 333 excerise calories,today my total steps was just over 11,000 and I was allocated 113 extra calories. Surely the more steps I take would allow more of the adjusted calories

Please could someone explain or offer insight

Thanks

Replies

  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    It should in total be higher, for all exercise calories combined.

    Was there a workout also showing for the 2nd day?
    If so the adjustment will be lower since some of that increased activity was part of the workout.
    And they both count towards total exercise.

    Was the sync for today actually recent?

    Find that Adjustment in your Exercise diary - tap and hold to view the extra details, like time of last sync and calories then.

    A screen pic posted here would allow explaining it.
    But it also spells out the math used to arrive at the adjustment.

    Then again - if the Garmin is sending some goofy info, MFP will have a goofy result!
  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,805 Member
    One possible explanation: not all steps are created equal. I get more calories for steps when my heart rate is higher, for example. Slow sauntering versus brisk walking for example. Or walking while stressed versus waking while relaxed (this shows the inherent weaknesses of HR based calorie burn estimations). Doing two flights of stairs is not the same as twenty or thirty regular steps. Etc.

    Other possibility: did you exercise? Non step based exercise will add calorie burn without steps. Running on the other hand will give you a much higher calorie count for the same amount of steps as walking.

    Other possibility: did you perhaps change your activity level on MFP between the two days? The calorie adjustment is the result of a comparison between your theoretical calorie burn according to your activity level and your 'actual' calorie burn according to your Garmin. So if your activity level is different, that will change the adjustment.
  • GDFreeman
    GDFreeman Posts: 1 Member
    Hey Everyone, I am confused about the 'allow negative calories' setting. Does this mean that it will allow me to consume less calories if Garmin calculates that I have been moving less (ie. sitting on the couch all day)? Thanks!
  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,805 Member
    edited July 2021
    Yes, allowing negative calorie adjustments means you'll get calories deducted from your calorie goal if you're less active than your selected activity level.
  • ehju0901
    ehju0901 Posts: 394 Member
    GDFreeman wrote: »
    Hey Everyone, I am confused about the 'allow negative calories' setting. Does this mean that it will allow me to consume less calories if Garmin calculates that I have been moving less (ie. sitting on the couch all day)? Thanks!

    What @Lietchi said. At first, I was very confused about the negative calorie adjustment, but now I really enjoy it. It gives me the motivation to get up and move throughout the day, rather than just during my scheduled exercise time. Even if it is just getting 250 steps in per hour during the work day, it helps a lot!
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    In addition, for Garmin anyway where workouts are sent to MFP, you can have a hard workout and be less active than the selected activity level.

    I frequently will have a big bike burn day of 1300 extra from the ride, but then neg 300 from general activity.

    Still got 1000 extra to enjoy, but if I no Negative enabled I would have cut into the deficit by 300, that could add up in a week if you workout a lot.

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