Fitbit and MyFitnessPal

sarahmaryjane
sarahmaryjane Posts: 41 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all,

Apologies if this topic has already been asked, covered and exhausted. I’m just trying to get some clarity for my own peace of mind.

Don’t know if anyone has this issue, but I just wanted to put it out there and ask advice. I own a Fitbit Zip, which I love. I used to own the original Fitbit, so I’m a fan. I am still struggling with the magical weight loss formula that works for me personally and I’m trying to figure this out (failing so far, however): on my very good days, the Fitbit says that I burn 2500 (give or take, sometimes fewer) calories TOTAL. I rarely get that high, though, I’m mainly trying to reach 2200 calories so I can have my 1000 calorie deficit that MFP/Fitbit wizards have established for me to reach my goal.

However, I don’t understand how eating more (this whole “in place of a road map” spiel) would work with this situation. If I’m supposed to be eating around 2000 calories or so, how the heck am I going to lose anything when my Fitbit only says I’m burning 2100 – 2500 calories TOTAL? Please help if you can, Fitbit people. I know everyone is different, but I STILL don’t understand what will work for me. Should I be paying attention to the Fitbit and eating 1000 calories below that? Any advice would be appreciated.

I’m 29 years old, female, currently 195 (used to be 178 while taking Phentermine, which screwed me up, ugh, but it was the only thing that helped me lose weight), currently eating between 1200 – 1300 calories a day, 5’4”. Thank you.

Replies

  • JVCB
    JVCB Posts: 63 Member
    I recommend that you re-post this question on the Fitbit Users Group board... I'll be you get more responses.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/1290-fitbit-users

    I started to give you my opinion but, since I am twice your age and fairly sedentary due to back problems, it probably wouldn't be much help. I will say (not knowing if you have physical limitations like I do, so forgive my bias) that a healthy person your age could/should be moving a lot more than 2200 calories worth. I got to 6200 steps yesterday on my FitBit Zip (which I also love), and I also eat 1200 calories a day. If I didn't have a bad back, I would be trying really hard to walk at least 10,000 steps a day... But I am taller than you, so I shouldn't try to give you a direct comparison. :blushing:

    Anyway, this wasn't meant to sound negative. You're in the right place (MFP) and trying to do the right things, so just keep asking questions and pushing yourself to move as much as you can. If I had learned that lesson when I was 29, I would be a happier and healthier person today. Best of luck to you! :flowerforyou:
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,333 Member
    if i had to add worrying about counting my steps along with counting calories ..drinking my water..and exercising. i just might go nuts. dunno how you do it.
  • KReduced
    KReduced Posts: 98 Member
    You can change your goal on fitbit and it will adjust your calorie deficit. I have mine as a deficit of 750. So, like today, I have walked 12,178 steps, burned 2068 calories. I have my fitbit synced with mfp (which currently is down, btw, they are HOPEFULLY trying to fix it). So, I have MFP set to 1200 calories and then fitbit syncs. So, so far, it wants me to eat, 1729 calories. Fitbit keeps track of your BMR so it knows how much you will burn if you don't move all day. Find the plan that works for you. I first started at 1000 calorie deficit and almost killed someone I was so crabby. :grumble: Just find what works for you! :flowerforyou:

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