TDEE on fitbit vs vivofit

Zondeare

So I was one of the lucky fitbit force users who developed the rash- so I switched to the vivofit
I average around 12k steps a day (including usually a stepped based cardio 3-4x/week) and lift 3x per week. I have been losing weight at a rate of 1.2-1.5 pounds a week for the last 3 months. Currently I'm 5' 7", 178 pounds. (I was 199 on New Years morning). I found mfp late but I'm down from 216.8 since October and down from a high weight of 233 since 6 weeks post partum from my one year old baby.

So my tdee goal was 2500 cal on the fitbit force and I pushed myself to get there faithfully on easy days and often exceeds it on gym days. I always ate 1800 calories on average. I was working very well for me. After switching to the vivofit, my tdee is drastically different.

With my vivofit I started using a HRM for my cardio and my hour at the gym usually burns 900-1200 calories as opposed to the extra 500 per hour with the fitbit. My regular caloric burn is drastically lower though. Last night I only hit 2050! With 11,800 steps and no HRM time ( went on a walk to raise step count but no gym= no HRM for me). Does this seem right? I work a busy hospital job where I'm on my feet anywhere from only 3800 to upwards of 8000 steps a shift depending on how bad the day is.

Now I'm just confused. Even with going to the gym I only burn 2500-2600 total now so my average is a lot lower.

I've been trying to do the TDEE- 30% but I can't only eat 1500 -1600 calories- leaves me starving and miserable whereas I was doing do well before

Anyone else have similar issues? Suggestions as I keep trucking along without my trusted fitbit? (Sorry garmin, it's not the same). I could just stay at 1800 calories but as I continue to lose weight this isn't going to be ideal as my weight loss will stall as my natural tdee drops (started at eating 2200 a day and still lost nicely early on)

WBB55

but I can't only eat 1500 -1600 calories- leaves me starving and miserable whereas I was doing do well before

Now that you've lost weight, you're hungrier because you've less fat to make up the difference. At 178 lbs. (I don't know your ultimate goal) you should probably change your goal to "1 lbs per week" of fat loss. You just can't keep up the same rate of loss and huge caloric deficit as when you were heavier.

Zondeare

I don't disagree but it was motivating seeing the numbers drop so fast. *sigh* but I know I should start slowing it down. It will make transitioning to maintenance easier too.

I don't really have a firm goal weight. I'd like to be less than 155 to put my BMI within normal range but felt good at 140 several years ago. I wasn't lifting then however so I may not need to go as far down. I do want to give myself a buffer if I gain back a couple of pounds trying to figure maintenance out for myself so I'll probably plan on 150-155 as a maintenance range, but I'll decide when I'm closer to goal.

WBB55

I don't really have a firm goal weight. I'd like to be less than 155 to put my BMI within normal range but felt good at 140 several years ago.

So several years ago you were 140. Then you were 233. I know it's awesome to lose fast, but to keep it off, you have to learn good habits and be committed to them, even if you aren't losing. You have to be motivated by goals other than numbers dropping on your scale. Ok? So recalibrate for 1 lbs of loss each week. And then when you're at about 155-160, change it to 0.5 lbs per week.

This is the best way to make sure you don't gain it back. By the way, unless you're lifting lots and lots of heavy weights, a lot of the weight you're losing now (if you keep losing 2 lbs per week) WILL be muscle and bone. Don't do that. Be smart. Lose slower.

And good job with what you've done, so far. Keep it up!

Zondeare

Several years ago =more than a decade. Since them I finished school, got married, and had two kids. The 233 was post partum and I was 203 the day I found out I was pregnant with my second. 198 when I got pregnant with my first. 140--> 233 sounds terrible in a few years. It wasn't that drastic but life happens. When I got married I went from eating cereal or a sandwich at dinner to cooking every night. When I was in school we had a lot of fast food, and when I was pregnant I used it as an excuse to eat- both times.

My husband gained about 100 pounds throughout this time as well. He's in this with me. He has lost close to 60 pounds so far. Our total weight loss is 112 so far.

WBB55

I wasn't judging. What I mean is, once you're body has been that size, it can be fairly easy to go back, unless you set good habits. It wasn't meant as a criticism. I was 240 lbs and never even had kids, so this is a judgement free zone. The faster you lose, the more likely you'll gain it back. It's just my advice, ok?