Fitbit and eating calories

trink4
trink4 Posts: 7 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Based on my Fitbit Force, I take over 12000 steps a day, from work/running/walking in place. Also, I am a runner and while slow, I average about 18-20 miles a week running (included it Fitbit measurements). I always eat over the 1200 calories myfitnesspal says I need to eat to lose 2 lbs a week. I don't think I ever net the 1200 calories, mainly because I think the Fitbit over estimates the calories burned. However, on my 3 rd week, I didn't lose a pound. So frustrated because I am training for a 10k and want to lose some weight before my race. Does anyone think I should be eating back all the calories from Fitbit?

Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Unless you're very overweight 2 lbs a week isn't a very reasonable goal. It must be hard to be so active on so few calories!

    Keep in mind weight loss is not linear - you won't lose every week. Some weeks you'll lose more than expected, some less. Weight loss should be looked at as an average over time.

    Maybe if you opened your diary so people could see what you're actually consuming you'd get more answers.
  • fushigi1988
    fushigi1988 Posts: 519 Member
    My fitbit is accurate, I maintain while eating what it says I burn.
    I have my Fitbit set to maintain weight in the settings (on the food log page, click arrow left next to the calorie number and edit plan)
    How do you have yours set?
  • trink4
    trink4 Posts: 7 Member
    Not sure I have mine set! I read somewhere to only log stuff onto myfitnesspal and just have the two transfer data back and forth. I will check the settings. Thanks! I do pretty good with the eating, but I am often hungry. I try to eat 3 meals plus 2 snacks. I think I will add a little calories back. My BMI is a 26.8. I am just so tired of being considered over weight when I go to the doctor! Plus, I think my running would improve if I could get the weight down some!
  • WBB55
    WBB55 Posts: 4,131 Member
    Were I you, I'd change all my settings to lose 1# per week. And as the FitBit logs activity, if it gives you more to eat on MFP, eat at least half of the exercise calories. If after a couple months you can assess your progress and adjust your intake (or change the FitBit settings to adjust your stride or whatever)
  • fushigi1988
    fushigi1988 Posts: 519 Member
    If you use Fitbit linked, you should set MFP to sedentary. It adds the calories from Fitbit the day after to your calorie goal.
  • micki1026
    micki1026 Posts: 1
    What is the use of THAT? I don't eat for what I ate the day before! I'm frustrated at my fit bit because of it saying I had 375 exercise calories and after midnight put half of those calories on the next day and when I woke up I had again, half of THOES calories. I like that it tracks my sleep but for 100 bucks its not worth it as its proving to be totally useless as a calorie counter. I'll give it another chance because I didn't set my fit bit because mfp says to log all food, but the fit bit says after I set my goals that I can only eat 695 calories today. I'm choosing to currently ignore it and give this Fitbit a chance because I have lost 11lbs last month (my body fat percentage is ridiculously over any safe range:38% so loosing alot right now is normal) but I gave gained half a pound on the two days I have used Fitbit and so far I absolutely hate it.
  • _errata_
    _errata_ Posts: 1,653 Member
    I always eat the calories back from my fitbit calorie adjustments, and it is pretty accurate. The problem is most likely not with the fitbit, but with the calories you are logging from your food.

    If you are having issues, I would reevaluate what you are logging and double and triple check the quantities, that is, make sure you are using a food scale.
  • fushigi1988
    fushigi1988 Posts: 519 Member
    How are your settings on Fitbit? Is it set to personalised? What have you set as food plan?
  • sharonadam1
    sharonadam1 Posts: 1 Member
    I'm supposed to only eat 1200 calories/day and it seems impossible. The only way I can acheive this is by doing more cardio. I'm also a runner and losing weight does help. Every lb adds on to your pace. I would increase the intensity/distance of your runs or add spin class if you are worried about too much running. Good luck on your 10K!

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