Need help figuring out your TDEE? Get a Fitbit.

Maggie_Pie1

The argument of "it isn't 100% accurate all the time" against it being an excellent (and relatively inexpensive) tool to approximate TDEE is weak.

The person I quoted wasn't making that argument, either, so it's a moot point. I think the point was that whether you are using a fitbit, HRM, or some other tool, it's all estimated in the end. Just like the food you log, it's still, basically, estimates. Some estimates are better than others, some tools are better at measuring calories for different activities. for example, I'll trust the calorie expenditure using a HRM over a fitbit when I'm cycling. But HRM won't be as accurate when I'm doing things that aren't as strenuous, like walking.

So, IMO, it's just a matter of knowing the limitations of your tool, whether it be a HRM, fitbit, bodymedia, etc, and take those things into account.

coolraul07

Have the FitBit One... love it! I also have a Polar FT7 HRM... love it! Use HRM for purposeful cardio and yard work, use FBO for everything else, including sleep tracking. Our bodies are not computers, so NOTHING will be 100% accurate; however, for my purposes, FB+HRM work for me! A few tidbits:
• For those without pockets, FBO can clip to bras and underclothes, inside or outside. For sleeping, it comes with a velcro wrist band
• For those with 'car/plane ride counts as steps/flights' issues: FB has a workaround in their FAQ. The activity tracking feature can be turned on-off by holding down button for several seconds; timer will stop/start to indicate (same as sleep tracking). Later after you sync, you can go to FB website and change that logged activity to 'transportation' one. Alternatively, if you forgot the turn on/off the activity tracker, you can just manually enter an activity record via the website, but you'll need to remember the start/stop times. There's an MFP thread that details this: [http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/594590-adjusting-the-fitbit-for-driving-in-the-car].
My usual commute is so uneventful, that the difference was negligible so I stopped bothering to do the above.
• I turned on MFP/FBO syncing and allow my FBO to add additional exercise cals; however, I disable the 'negative cals' function because it's late in the evening before I can sync via personal laptop at home. Otherwise, I'd have a 'neg cal' entry most of the day and then around 7-8p I'd get a HUGE surplus and very little time to accomodate. What I did instead was have FBO tracks a truly sedentary day for me (e.g. lazily sat on @$$ all day except for bio breaks) and used that # for my custom MFP TDEE. That way, when I do anything above and beyond that, it'll automatically up my cals accordingly. WIN-WIN

jofjltncb6

I don't know why I read these message boards. I have read each and every post on this stream and now I am completely and utterly confused about what to do, what to buy.

Here's how I recommend you use the message boards here (based on years of observations of how other people do it):

Make up your mind about what you want to do. However you do that is entirely up to you...(and yes, using the message boards here is one source of information for this step). So is flipping a coin or rolling a die. Or read a book...or an article...or a blog post...or a random comment you find on the internet. How you arrive at your conclusion really isn't important to this process.

Once you have your decision made, *then* peruse the message boards looking for posts that support/justify/rationalize your decision. Reply to a lot of them with a resounding "^this". Send the posters FRs. Challenge anyone (and everyone) who posts information to the contrary. Seek out threads that differ from your choice and defend your decision beyond reasonable levels. Do not rest until you have persuaded everyone.

devariojay

Sorry people, but what exactly is TDEE?

Total Daily Energy Expenditure

heybales

For those arguing the FitBit won't log your exercise as correctly as a HRM would, especially for activities it admittedly isn't as good at.

What % of the exercise time do you have on those activities, or % of potential calorie burn?

Say 3 hrs weekly lifting weights.
3 / 168 weekly hrs = 1.8% of your FitBit time is probably under-estimated each week. That's avg 26 min daily.

Ok, lets go by calories for 3 hrs weekly lifting weights, 300 per session realistic.
900 / 14000 weekly TDEE = 6.4% of your FitBit calories is probably under-estimated each week. For a 2000 calorie TDEE, that's 128 calories. Easily the level of inaccuracies in food labels and measuring errors.

Same thing can be applied to any exercise it won't be good at measuring.

Now, where it would start to fall apart is say a cyclist riding 7 hrs weekly with calories burns around 900 / hr. Even though higher weekly TDEE, still bigger chunk of inaccuracy.

Now you will probably run in to undereating too much for your level of activity if you have reasonable deficit already.

But keep it in perspective for your own activity and do the math for potential, probably not a concern.

And a 1 hr bumpy ride out of rest of the week being better estimate.....

In fact, those possible inflations are nulled by the fact the device uses BMR level calories for ALL non-moving activities, when that really would apply to just sleep, with slightly higher RMR being used during awake non-moving times. So a failsafe already you might say.

And ya, calories based on walking and jogging formula's can be much more accurate than HRM's if the pace can be decently figured, weight and steps are already known.

Bekahmardis

Which fitbit do you have...does it matter?

I just looked at the flex. Im wondering if there are any advantages over the "one"

I think this is just personal preference. I love the One because it also measures stairs. On my trail runs it gives me the "flights" I've climbed over the 8-10 miles I run (Over 70 this past weekend!!)

My husband just got the flex, didn't even want the One knowing the flex was coming out. He doesn't care about the flights, just wants to monitor his sleep and increase his movement.

Yes, this. I waited for the FitBit Flex because I would end up losing something clipped to my pants or bra. The Flex is nice and inconspicuous (unlike me) and I rarely know it's there. I love mine.

luckyjuls

What I did instead was have FBO tracks a truly sedentary day for me (e.g. lazily sat on @$$ all day except for bio breaks) and used that # for my custom MFP TDEE. That way, when I do anything above and beyond that, it'll automatically up my cals accordingly. WIN-WIN

This makes a lot of sense, too. There are days when I'm pretty lazy and I want to know what THAT TDEE is. Just to know what my base is on average.

hkrchris

I have been using the Fitbit One since Christmas and totally agree that it makes figuring out how much I can eat pretty brainless! I like the One because it also keeps track of stairs too! It calculates activity level based on the the rate at which you are walking, so faster walk is more calories burned. It also tracks how many hours of restful sleep you are getting. Pretty cool all around, and when I want that ice-cream after dinner I use MFP to figure out how many calories I need and then power walk the neighborhood until Fitbit tells MFP that I have "earned" the ice-cream and won't blow the diet! I also have the Aria scale, which I just need to stand on each morning before I get dressed and it will wirelessly sync my weight and BMI to my Fitbit app....it doesn't get much easier or more motivating!

devariojay

Which fitbit do you have...does it matter?

I just looked at the flex. Im wondering if there are any advantages over the "one"

I think this is just personal preference. I love the One because it also measures stairs. On my trail runs it gives me the "flights" I've climbed over the 8-10 miles I run (Over 70 this past weekend!!)

My husband just got the flex, didn't even want the One knowing the flex was coming out. He doesn't care about the flights, just wants to monitor his sleep and increase his movement.

Yes, this. I waited for the FitBit Flex because I would end up losing something clipped to my pants or bra. The Flex is nice and inconspicuous (unlike me) and I rarely know it's there. I love mine.

Ok cool thanks, i already use a Polar FT7 HRM and I just put the strap on when it is time to workout. However I DO wear the watch all the time since it looks really cool

I didnt want to have two things like that so the FITFLEX is good for me since it is like a strap as opposed to it looking like I have two watches on or something.

Does fitflex also have some sort of chest strap? or is it all contained in that one small wrist strap? just want to make sure im not basically gonna be wearing a HRM all day.

cyndilie

Well I thought I wanted a Fitbit, so I've been following the TDEE/Fitbit topics on MFP, but this particular stream really has thrown me. I think I will decide for myself what works best for me and go from there. Thanks for your advice.

Bekahmardis

Here's how I recommend you use the message boards here (based on years of observations of how other people do it):

Make up your mind about what you want to do. However you do that is entirely up to you...(and yes, using the message boards here is one source of information for this step). So is flipping a coin or rolling a die. Or read a book...or an article...or a blog post...or a random comment you find on the internet. How you arrive at your conclusion really isn't important to this process.

Once you have your decision made, *then* peruse the message boards looking for posts that support/justify/rationalize your decision. Reply to a lot of them with a resounding "^this". Send the posters FRs. Challenge anyone (and everyone) who posts information to the contrary. Seek out threads that differ from your choice and defend your decision beyond reasonable levels. Do not rest until you have persuaded everyone.

OMG, that's beautiful. LOL!

htimpaired

Does the Fitbit also calculate accurately during exercise or would I still get that number from my heart rate monitor? I've been thinking about getting one.

IMO, heart rate monitors are terrible for calculating calories. That's a whole other rant though.

Just look at the weight loss graphs in the OP to see how accurate the Fitbit is.

It's not accurate for things where you're not on your feet, like cycling or swimming or rowing. You can just add those manually.

Interestingly, I have both a fitbit and a HRM, and I find them to give me about the same calorie burn, I was kinda surprised because I don't just walk/run, I cycle, kickbox, kettlebell, etc. I do love my fitbit, it's very motivating.

luckyjuls

Well I thought I wanted a Fitbit, so I've been following the TDEE/Fitbit topics on MFP, but this particular stream really has thrown me. I think I will decide for myself what works best for me and go from there. Thanks for your advice.

Don't be discouraged. My advice would be to buy whichever device you are getting from a store with a good return policy. Sometimes, things just don't vibe with you, and it's the perfect time to return it and try something else. Personally, I ordered the Fitbit because I want to kind of get an estimate what is going on calorically on days when I don't move much.

Bekahmardis

Does fitflex also have some sort of chest strap? or is it all contained in that one small wrist strap? just want to make sure im not basically gonna be wearing a HRM all day.

No, it's just the wristband. You take the device out once in a while to charge, but that's about it. I've gone 5 days without having to charge mine at all.

hkrchris

You can also add in activities like swimming and cycling that the Fitbit won't capture by adding them to MFP.

heybales

Interestingly, I have both a fitbit and a HRM, and I find them to give me about the same calorie burn, I was kinda surprised because I don't just walk/run, I cycle, kickbox, kettlebell, etc. I do love my fitbit, it's very motivating.

Bad assumption the HRM must be correct.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/459580-polar-hrm-calorie-burn-estimate-accuracy-study

So the fact they match is probably a better indication your HRM is giving deflated values, which for cheaper Polar's isn't surprising.
The cheaper that have no VO2max stat assume if your BMI is bad so is your VO2max - bad assumption. That leads to HRM deflating values. Also as your VO2max improves above avg, it doesn't know.

So I'll bet as FitBit themselves admit (and studies with BodyMedia show) that some of those activities are not good at tracking and are under-reported, you are burning more than you think.

seanezekiel

I have one of the new Flex on the way. Preordered it months ago. I cant wait.

devariojay

No, it's just the wristband. You take the device out once in a while to charge, but that's about it. I've gone 5 days without having to charge mine at all.

Awesome! Thank you! Im going to order one now!

AmyMgetsfit

I just ordered my Fitbit one this morning. I can't wait for it to arrive. I also have a Polar FT7 and my plan is to use both. I think they will compliment each other well. What one doesn't do, the other one will.

Happylady123

bump

devariojay

I just ordered my Fitbit one this morning. I can't wait for it to arrive. I also have a Polar FT7 and my plan is to use both. I think they will compliment each other well. What one doesn't do, the other one will.

That is exactly what I am going to do!

shadow2soul

I just ordered my Fitbit one this morning. I can't wait for it to arrive. I also have a Polar FT7 and my plan is to use both. I think they will compliment each other well. What one doesn't do, the other one will.

That's what I do. So far it seems to work pretty well. (I have a fitbit Zip and Pyle HRM)

desiv2

I use fitbit and love it, and it defiantly helped me with my weight loss.

I use the fitbit ZIP which is the cheaper one around 60 bucks, however I only paid 17 dollars! Using bestbuy's trade-in policy, I took them some used games and things I no longer play and traded those for the fitbit. Great way to afford stuff that you couldn't usually afford...

elyelyse

It gave you 13000 steps during your bumpy car ride?? I haven't heard of it doing that many before!

well... it may be because i keep it clipped to my bra, so when things are bumpy um... yeah lol. I had the same thing in the fall when I went on an off-road jeep ride.

For those who commented that we can account for that later on by adjusting that number via the web site, yes absolutely, on those days when it's this obvious. but the fact that it's sensitive enough to give me 13000 for car ride, leaves me with the impression that there are other, more subtle inaccuracies on a normal day to day basis.

If you know when you are driving and see a major inaccuracy of 13000 steps during that time, it will be pretty obvious that it's picking up bumps, I think? If you know you sat from 9-12 P.M. and it says you walked 13000 steps, there is something wrong with the device.

yes, but if you read the end of what I wrote, I address that: the fact that it's sensitive enough to give me 13000 for car ride, leaves me with the impression that there are other, more subtle inaccuracies on a normal day to day basis.

keithf1138

It gave you 13000 steps during your bumpy car ride?? I haven't heard of it doing that many before!

well... it may be because i keep it clipped to my bra, so when things are bumpy um... yeah lol. I had the same thing in the fall when I went on an off-road jeep ride.

For those who commented that we can account for that later on by adjusting that number via the web site, yes absolutely, on those days when it's this obvious. but the fact that it's sensitive enough to give me 13000 for car ride, leaves me with the impression that there are other, more subtle inaccuracies on a normal day to day basis.

If you know when you are driving and see a major inaccuracy of 13000 steps during that time, it will be pretty obvious that it's picking up bumps, I think? If you know you sat from 9-12 P.M. and it says you walked 13000 steps, there is something wrong with the device.

yes, but if you read the end of what I wrote, I address that: the fact that it's sensitive enough to give me 13000 for car ride, leaves me with the impression that there are other, more subtle inaccuracies on a normal day to day basis.

I have never had my FitBit register something like a car ride. What version do you have maybe newer versions (or updated firmware) are configured better.

cassylee

Thanks

nic_ci

It gave you 13000 steps during your bumpy car ride?? I haven't heard of it doing that many before!

well... it may be because i keep it clipped to my bra, so when things are bumpy um... yeah lol. I had the same thing in the fall when I went on an off-road jeep ride.

For those who commented that we can account for that later on by adjusting that number via the web site, yes absolutely, on those days when it's this obvious. but the fact that it's sensitive enough to give me 13000 for car ride, leaves me with the impression that there are other, more subtle inaccuracies on a normal day to day basis.

If you know when you are driving and see a major inaccuracy of 13000 steps during that time, it will be pretty obvious that it's picking up bumps, I think? If you know you sat from 9-12 P.M. and it says you walked 13000 steps, there is something wrong with the device.

yes, but if you read the end of what I wrote, I address that: the fact that it's sensitive enough to give me 13000 for car ride, leaves me with the impression that there are other, more subtle inaccuracies on a normal day to day basis.

I drive over an hour a day on back roads...your fitbit is broke if its giving you 13000 steps...mine don't. I have a fitbit and a HRM and I like my fitbit more...it clips on and no one knows I'm using it but me...I have been using it since February when my weight loss slowed for almost 2 months...I have loss weight steadily since I started using it...it is so accurate that I know mathamaticly within .2 of a pound how much I will weigh before I get on the scale...

I guess what I'm saying is call fitbit because yours is malfunctioning!!!

TheStephil

I didn't read the millions of pages of this board, just the OPs first post.

i loved my fitbit for 10 months then I got a BodyMedia LINK and within two weeks I gave my Fitbit to my bf. The fitbit is great but it underestimates. In my case it underestimated by 400-700 calories a day. It doesn't take into account how much effort you are giving, how the weather is, how much you are sweating, etc. It bases it off your stats and how many steps. On my running days both my bodymedia and fitbit would be close in steps but due to the effort of running vs walking, my bodymedia would show more calories burned.

Looking back, I woulda bought a BodyMedia over a FitBit, it uses a lot more calculations and measurements and rests against your skin so its constantly reading you.

04ward

There's no reason in the world to think that it's less accurate than an HRM.

well, except for the part where fitbit has to kind of guess things based on your stats and steps, and a HRM monitors your physical exertion based on actual physical changes right? like, measuring your actual heart rate? not sure how that would make the fitbit more accurate.

I'm not putting down the fitbit, i have one and LOVE it, but I use the calorie burn number it generates as a guesstimate. Take today for example... I was in a bumpy car... lol it thinks i walked 13000 steps today.. but that's mostly just my um... bounce. The way I see it, the more tools and guides i have the better. I look at the fitbit, i check out what my TDEE is every few weeks based on my weight, calculate my BMR every few weeks too. I use all those things to come up with a number, still an estimate of course, but it's working for me!

I don't understand all these people talking about their Fitbit adding steps for riding in a car. Mine never does! I started watching and checking it because I had never thought about it possibly doing this but living in Illinois where we have the roughest and bumpiest roads in the country, mine doesn't register steps, in my car or in our 4x4.

jofjltncb6

It gave you 13000 steps during your bumpy car ride?? I haven't heard of it doing that many before!

well... it may be because i keep it clipped to my bra, so when things are bumpy um... yeah lol. I had the same thing in the fall when I went on an off-road jeep ride.

For those who commented that we can account for that later on by adjusting that number via the web site, yes absolutely, on those days when it's this obvious. but the fact that it's sensitive enough to give me 13000 for car ride, leaves me with the impression that there are other, more subtle inaccuracies on a normal day to day basis.

If you know when you are driving and see a major inaccuracy of 13000 steps during that time, it will be pretty obvious that it's picking up bumps, I think? If you know you sat from 9-12 P.M. and it says you walked 13000 steps, there is something wrong with the device.

yes, but if you read the end of what I wrote, I address that: the fact that it's sensitive enough to give me 13000 for car ride, leaves me with the impression that there are other, more subtle inaccuracies on a normal day to day basis.

I drive over an hour a day on back roads...your fitbit is broke if its giving you 13000 steps...mine don't. I have a fitbit and a HRM and I like my fitbit more...it clips on and no one knows I'm using it but me...I have been using it since February when my weight loss slowed for almost 2 months...I have loss weight steadily since I started using it...it is so accurate that I know mathamaticly within .2 of a pound how much I will weigh before I get on the scale...

I guess what I'm saying is call fitbit because yours is malfunctioning!!!

Same here. Not a single step while driving.

And definitely call Fitbit. They have a ridiculously awesome customer service reputation. I've heard many stories of them sending out replacements for washed fitbits, lost fitbits, slightly wiggy fitbits, etc.