Stupid fitbit question

It cannot measure intensity levels, so if you want a more accurate calorie burn estimation, you would have to manually log an activity, your calorie burn estimation would then need to be added either by adding the general estimation for that exercise, or by wearing a heart rate monitor.
I would suggest that you then do not wear your fitbit during this time, as it might pick up some of the movement, so you would end up with inflated values.

I have a Jawbone UP and I believe it's similar to Fitbit. It tracks my steps during the day, not stairs but I can also add in workouts on the app and intensity from easy, moderate and hard, and from that it gives me an accurate picture if the calories burned, and it will sync to MFP.

You can probably just google that question to see if Fitbit will do that, and if not you can add it in in MFP under exercise. But MFP won't let you do an intensity level that I know of?

Yes, I believe when I was syncing my fitbit to mfp, there was a notice that I should log everything on mfp (food, weight loss, exercise). Meaning, I log my workouts on mfp and it syncs to my fitbit. That's why sometimes I might not reach my step goal for the day, but I will reach my calories burned for the day.
Now the next question is if mfp is properly calculating my calories burned. A hrm would probably be the best for that. I'm thinking of buying one to really get an accurate reading.

The bodymedia device is what you're looking for. It tracks calories and automatically registers the differences in intensity

Log that kind of exercise into MFP and Fitbit adjusts based on its tracking of your steps and stairs. Even if it slightly underestimates your burn it comes close enough and you will benefit. Even tracking your food is just an estimate so dont get bogged down in the details.

I have a Jawbone UP and I believe it's similar to Fitbit. It tracks my steps during the day, not stairs but I can also add in workouts on the app and intensity from easy, moderate and hard, and from that it gives me an accurate picture if the calories burned, and it will sync to MFP.

You can probably just google that question to see if Fitbit will do that, and if not you can add it in in MFP under exercise. But MFP won't let you do an intensity level that I know of?

Yes, I believe when I was syncing my fitbit to mfp, there was a notice that I should log everything on mfp (food, weight loss, exercise). Meaning, I log my workouts on mfp and it syncs to my fitbit. That's why sometimes I might not reach my step goal for the day, but I will reach my calories burned for the day.
Now the next question is if mfp is properly calculating my calories burned. A hrm would probably be the best for that. I'm thinking of buying one to really get an accurate reading.

Heart rate monitors are great for steady state cardio, like running or cycling.

It cannot measure intensity levels,

That's not *quite* accurate... Fitbit does measure intensity level based on the intensity of the movement.

I've actually found that for quite a few exercises, Fitbit's estimates are close to my HRM's measurements. Not always, but often.

With that said, folks are correct that you'll generally get a more accurate measurement using a heart rate monitor -- which is, of course, also providing an estimate (although, hopefully, a more accurate estimate). ;-)

It's also correct that you don't need to take the Fitbit off, so long as you're eventually getting the activity recorded with Fitbit. Whether you enter it manually or through the HRM, so long as the start and stop times are entered into Fitbit, the calories associated with that period of time will override what the Fitbit recorded. I never take my Flex off, except to charge it.

Fitbit is a glorified pedometer.

And there are no stupid questions, only stupid people.

No