BM adjustments have nothing to do with the settings for how much you eat (or your goal calories). The BM adjustment is the number of calories over what mfp thinks you burn (the "calories burned from normal activity" in your mfp goals tab). I would look at your BM activity manager (or the app-the app is actually a little easier for this) and see where the extra activity is being recorded-then see if that jives with what you did. Keep in mind that "working out" isn't the only way to burn calories. I tend to burn more on days I'm running around doing errands and housework than I do on days I go for a run. So check what the BM is recording for activity. That's what is driving the calorie adjustment.

Also, if you made a change to your mfp account (eg changed from lightly active to sedentary) that will also increase the exercise calorie adjustment (because mfp thinks you're burning even less, so the BM is greater).

Don't feel stupid. I have a degree in computer science and statistics and it confused the heck out of me for a month.

You want to go to the goals tab of mfp, then look at the right side for a number that says "from normal daily activity". This is the only place you'll see that number.

You then need to go to BM (the activity manager) and hover over/click on the calories burned bar. This will give you what BM estimates you will burn for the total of the day.

Your calorie adjustment should be the difference between these two numbers. It has nothing to do with your calorie goal or your deficit or how many calories you eat. It's the difference between what mfp thinks you burn and what BM records you burning (or estimates that you will burn). Doesn't matter if you eat 10 calories or 10 billion, the BM calorie adjustment is based only on what you burn.

Yes, many things can affect your metabolism from day to day and essentially the BMF is trying to quantify that metabolism. That is the premise behind "Diet Pills" and energy drinks, they boost your metabolism not cause fat to fall off. This is the reason the the BMF works for me where the fitbit left me starving, my metabolism runs higher than the statistical norm, but I can still out eat it LOL.

To the OP, from my observation the number of steps you do or the amount of activity that is shown does not effect the amount of "calories" you are burning. The amount of burn appears to all be calculated from the sensor readings. Those sensor readings will of course be affected as you walk or exercise but it is not like a Fitbit where the formula for calories burned is based off of the number of steps. That being said I would use the BMF reading to work to as a goal, it is more akin to what people are saying on the forums when they work to TDEE less a percentage as their goal, it's just with BMF you have a better "personal" estimation of your TDEE.

I am not a dietician or a doctor nor do I work at BM, the above statements are my opinion.

Another point.......if you follow the forums you will see post saying that strength training gives you an "After-burn" effect where you continue to burn calories at a higher rate even after you have stopped exercising. This is the same principal with boosted metabolism and BMF would be better at capturing it and factoring it in. The BMF is great, now just make it smaller, waterproof and not have to be worn in the same spot.