Fitbit Flex

YukiValentine

okay so I got the fitbit flex yesterday, and I started using it. I just noticed that it calculates an estimated amount of calories burned throughout the day. What I wanna know is if I can disable that? I kinda just wanna see the steps and calories I lose from that?

Also, I walk very slowly and limp a little because I have rheumatoid arthritis, so is it over estimating my steps or is it right? all I really do is go up and down the stairs for food and go to the bathroom from time to time (because I need to take it easy). It said that I made about 751 steps and 4,593 calories yesterday but I seriously doubt that. Is my bad walking making it count more steps? Can I manually change that I walk slowly and badly somehow?

Any help would be great! Thanks!
Also, if you want to add me on here or there, go right on ahead!
https://www.fitbit.com/user/2FN7JV

JesterMFP

I don't know the answer to your first question, but regarding accuracy - why don't you count your steps for a period of time and check to see if the fitbit matches what you counted? A little tedious, but that would give you a good idea of how accurate it's being.

QueenE_

If you search the groups, there is a fitbit group! I don't think there's a way to disable the estimated amount of calories burned each day. I would also like that option. As for the steps I've counted a few on my own and compared it and it was pretty accurate.

YukiValentine

I shall try counting it myself then when I start walking again, thanks

midwestspitfire

If you go to your FitBit dashboard and click on the gear in the top right corner and go to settings, you'll be able to turn off calorie estimation so then your FitBit will only be tracking calories you actually burn.

As far as I can see you aren't able to customize your steps to your gait but in my (anecdotal) experience, the FitBit does a pretty good job of tracking your steps regardless. I say that because my husband and I go on long walks together and my steps always outstrip his because I have shorter legs.

Hope this is a bit helpful!

shadow2soul

Some things you need to know about Fitbit devices:

1) All models take into account your BMR (basal metabolic rate) when calculating calories. This cannot be turned off. You can, hover your mouse over a 15 min time segment on the dashboard graph and it will tell you the calories burned in that time frame. If you pick a time where you were in active, then the calories will be what you burned from BMR. Take that number multiply by 96 and you have your BMR. Then just subtract your BMR from the total calories you burned that day, to figure out how many calories came from daily activity and exercise. Example:
17 (how many calories I burn every 15 mins without activity) * 96 = 1632 (bmr)
2537 (how many calories I burned on Sunday) - 1632 = 905 (calories burned from exercise & daily activity)

2) Flex & Force (force was recently recalled) models will overestimate steps in some situations and underestimate in others...this is because it is worn on the wrist. It will pick up some hand movements from time to time as steps. It will also, tend to miss steps when your pushing something or not moving your hands much while walking.
3) If you link your fitbit to MFP, it will give you an adjustment. The formula for it being:
Fitbit estimated* total daily calorie burn - MFP estimated total daily calorie burn = + or - adjustment
*Until the day is over, this number is an estimate based on your activity levels and calories burned at the last sync.
4) Putting the Flex into sleep mode before a workout will actually create an activity log. This will show you your exact start time, calories burned during the workout, steps taken, etc.

I have found that for me, Fitbit tends to underestimate my total daily calorie burn a bit.