Day 1 with Fitbit: Help!

So my husband gave me his hand me down fitbit. I now have the FitBit Flex (he got the Force). I linked it with MFP and it is showing up with adding calories burned (under exercise) and it looks like my daily calorie allowance is increased.

Does it do that based on the number of steps I take a day? And I am assuming the negative thing I enabled means if I don't make my goal, MFP will take away the calories it allocated from presuming I would make it?

As far as exercise goes, Fitbit will add in extra calories for that right? So do I need to track it on here? I am confused about this as I see postings regarding this.

I guess I am just laboring under the belief that all I had to do was connect the Fitbit to my account and log my food, everything else is done via the FitBit. Do I need to do anything else to ensure accuracy?????

Replies

  • Swiftdogs
    Swiftdogs Posts: 328 Member
    You're pretty much right. The only exercise you need to log on MFP is something not step-based. Otherwise you're good to go. It sounds like your adjustment is already calculating, which means everything is in sync. Enjoy!
  • TropiKalSTORM
    TropiKalSTORM Posts: 21 Member
    Please let me know how you like the fitbit.

    I am currently using an HRM to monitor my calories lost during workouts at the gym but reading more on these activity trackers and wondering if its worth wearing.


    - Brian
  • Yes, those daily steps will earn you more calories, depending on what your activity level is set at and how active you actually are (insert math here lol).

    Yes, MFP will take away any overestimation of calories with negative whatever enabled. I prefer Fitbit's version of calories in vs calories out.

    Fibit tracks steps automatically. You can do other exercises and input the times you did them. Fibit will switch out your calories burned from steps to whichever exercise during those times.
  • RenewedRunner
    RenewedRunner Posts: 423 Member
    Thanks! I was reading after doing a search and started to go crazy! I wanted to make sure I didn't need to do something after setup. So lets hope this helps. I need to lose some weight! :)
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    Thanks! I was reading after doing a search and started to go crazy! I wanted to make sure I didn't need to do something after setup. So lets hope this helps. I need to lose some weight! :)
    I don't use the negative calorie adjustments (as suggested) because I only sync later in the day. I just use the fitbit to get an idea if I'm burning a lot more calories than I have estimated for my TDEE (and to originally confirm it). It will then only add in extra calories to MFP if you go over your estimate.