Need help figuring out your TDEE? Get a Fitbit.

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I have been wearing my Fitbit Zip for 3 months, and my BodyMedia Fit arm band for 6 weeks. I am still collecting data comparing them to each other as well as to my actual TDEE (based on weight loss).

I love my Zip because it's discreet, easy to use and motivating. I can check the display at any time and having step, calorie and distance goals all push me to move more during the day. I chose the Zip because I don't have room on my wrist for another device, couldn't give up my watch for the Flex (no display), and didn't like the Force colors. I chose the Zip over the One because I don't really care about counting floors (they count as steps anyway) and the sleep feature wasn't worth the extra money to me. I also love that the Zip doesn't need to be charged, just change the battery every 4 months. So easy!

After having the Zip for a couple of months, and loving it, I got picky. I knew the Zip had to be missing some of my non-step related burn, that I burn a lot of calories cooking and doing dishes etc. without taking many steps, and decided to get the BodyMedia band, since it should track all of my activities more accurately.

I don't have enough data on the BodyMedia to make a definitive decision between the devices yet, but here are my personal observations so far:

The BodyMedia does appear to be more sensitive/precise in measuring activity than the Fitibit, which is to be expected, since they work differently. It can tell if I am lying down, sitting, standing or moving, and it is nice to see these variations in my data. Due to the increased sensitivity, the BodyMedia is more likely to read bumpy road travel as activity than the Fitibit, but nothing too significant. However, this more precise activity measurement is only useful if the formula they use to calculate my calorie burn is accurate for my body. Fitbit's estimate of my BMR is very close to accurate, while BodyMedia's is about 150 calories higher.

Since neither device allows you to input your own BMR or body fat percentage for more precise personalization, the accuracy of either device is completely dependent upon how close your individual metabolism is to the average person of your gender/age/weight.

In practice, I must admit that the Fitbit has been more useful. While I thought I wanted credit for all my activity through the BodyMedia band, this increases the possibility of getting credit for more calories than actually burned (if your BMR is lower than their calculation). If you eat all the calories given, this could seriously affect your weight loss. Fitbit isn't giving me credit for all my activity, but that's OK, because calories not recorded aren't eaten

I also like the free emailed weekly Fitbit reports and the many forms of data and charts on the website, all free. The BodyMedia site is good, but I don't feel like it offers enough additional info.or any additional personalization to be worth $7 a month.

The Fitbit may not be super accurate at recording all forms of activity, but the important thing is motivation toward your goals. Over a few weeks you will find which calorie goal gives you the weight loss you are striving for, and just keep trying to hit that every day. Simple.

Can I ask for advice?

I set my FB to sedentary, and running a 700cal deficit, Im a 22 YO female looking to loser 15lbs-20lbs. I have an office job but I run/walk/work out most morning before work, walk 20 minutes to and from work and go for a walk at lunch time and in the evenings with my dog. However my FB flex gives me so many calories, it said I burned 2900 yesterday - I thought this couldnt be accurate and maybe my settings are wrong

I ate 1700 that day as I wasn't sure...

Are there any settings in particular that I should check to ensure accuracy?

Sorry if this has already been addressed..

Yeah I know you're right.. just seems such a high burn. I do try to move as much as I can... but trial and error

/thread

You might need to adjust your stride length. I played around with mine, comparing it to known distances, and changed it a couple of times before it gave me a pretty accurate distance (which ought to play a role in the movement sensed/ calories burned).

I agree totally. My fitbit was one of the best investments I ever made. It makes it easy to set and reach goals. I work for the badges and feel so proud of myself. In 25 days of using it I have lost 12.5 lbs...I can feel the missing inches. It is a wonderful tool!

Bump!

One thing i've noticed with my fitbit, is i'm not sure of how accurate of a calorie count it can give for things like riding a bike. It doesn't have anything to do with my heart rate, doesn't pick up "steps" because there isn't enough of the walking motion, so how can i rely on that for how much i should be eating in a day? Right now, mine says i've burned 1000 calories from midnight until now.

There is a trick for this one... put the fitbit in your sock

It does pick up some of the "steps" but it wont be the miles that you tick along on your bike- the revolutions are too small for it to pick up each one-but like it has been said by prior posters- less cals showing to eat means you wont eat as much

I tried to adjust stride length but theres no option to on the website do I need to use the app?!?

Also I read here that stride length only affects distance walked not calories

It's in your personal profile stats.

And yes, pace is based on distance and time.
Pace and weight determine calories burned by some very accurate formula's.

But if distance is wrong, pace is wrong, calories is wrong.

The amount off determines the inaccuracy.