FitBit/Steps per Day Question

Options
erinelissa91
erinelissa91 Posts: 63 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok I hope this makes sense. I currently have my activity level set at lightly active because I work a standing job where I walk around but not an immense amount. I just recently started using the FitBit app and it's giving me extra calories but does FitBit take into account your activity level? I take about 15,000-18,000 steps a day on average. That includes my runs and walks etc. So is FitBit a waste of time? Should I still log my runs separately? And lastly, I'm not going to eat the extra calories FitBit gives me anyways but when they add calories to my Diary (490 today already) it throws me off and seems like a high number. Hope someone understands my questions. I just don't want to end up hurting my progress or playing mind tricks on me.
«1

Replies

  • WatchJenShrink
    WatchJenShrink Posts: 18 Member
    Options
    Fitbit doesn't really have an activity level setting. It just sets everybody to 10000 steps/day. Whenever I walk, I don't log it because Fitbit does that for me. But if I do any other activity I always log it because Fitbit doesn't seem to pick that activity up (because I'm not swinging my arms like walking).
  • FeraFilia
    FeraFilia Posts: 4,664 Member
    Options
    Fitbit works by estimating how many calories you are going to use in the course of the day based on what you've already done. When it syncs with MFP, it adjusts your calorie goal so you can maintain the proper deficit.

    In short, yes it does currently take your activity level setting on MFP into account. :)

    Edit to add: you can see where it's getting the difference in these numbers if you go to the exercise tab, and click the blue "i" mark next to the exercise "minute" Fitbit logs to sync.
  • erinelissa91
    erinelissa91 Posts: 63 Member
    Options
    I have checked that. So should I change my activity level to sedentary? It's so confusing and I'm nervous to screw it all up. I only started using it because I was curious how many steps I was actually taking in a day.
  • IrishHarpy1
    IrishHarpy1 Posts: 399 Member
    Options
    I've been using a Fitbit for almost three years, and when I synced it with MFP I placed my activity level at "sedentary". When I do my heavy cardio in the morning I use my Polar FT4 for the calorie burn, which overwrites the Fitbit reading for the same time period. Otherwise, I just let Fitbit do the adjustments for me over the remainder of the day. I lost my last 20 pounds using this method as well as maintaining for over two years, so at least I know it works for me!

    You *can* rest your Fitbit goals beyond the default 10K steps/5 miles/10 flights of stairs/etc. if you'd like as well -- those numbers aren't mandatory, just a suggestion.
  • Kevalicious99
    Kevalicious99 Posts: 1,131 Member
    Options
    I just giggle at the misinformation above .. but whatever.

    Your Fitbit doesn't track calories .. not going to happen. It doesn't track anything other than one thing ... movement. That is all that it is capable of doing. No magic unlike what they would have you believe.

    It uses this .. to determine your steps (in the Fitbit case .. changes of the direction of the motion) .. ie when you walk. It does this as your arms / legs are in perfect sync when you walk .. really they are.

    So .. when you understand that the Fitbit is just that ... a thing that measures movement you will feel better.

    ALL that it does and what you see on your dashboard is a big math calculation based on your stats. ie .. your BMR etc. It is no better or worse than your HRM .. they both have big issues. Neither are perfect .. and in fact for some can be very very off.

    I just look at mine .. and hope it dies soon. My Fitbit Force rash is almost gone. Looking forward to a non defective model.

    Personally .. my Fitbit never motivated me .. and I always deleted the extra calories it gave me. It is just a big mind game .. and honestly just eat your calories and ignore it.

    Until you get to maintenance when your calories will really matter .. it is not an issue. Trying to lose weight is simple .. calories in vs calories out. As long as you are in a deficit you will be fine and your Fitbit is not likely to be a big factor in that equation.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Options
    MFP has a Fitbit Users group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/1307-fitbit-users

    Set your goal to .5 lb. per week, and your activity level to sedentary: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_guided

    Enable negative calorie adjustments: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings

    Connect your accounts: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/apps/show/30

    Follow your MFP calorie goal. Log food & water in MFP. Log exercise in Fitbit.
  • Kidominos
    Kidominos Posts: 1,249 Member
    Options
    There is a Fitbit user group that is very active and several people on there have helped a lot of MFP Fibtbit users set up their Fitbit with MFP and are a great resource.
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    Options
    I've been using a Fitbit for almost three years, and when I synced it with MFP I placed my activity level at "sedentary". When I do my heavy cardio in the morning I use my Polar FT4 for the calorie burn, which overwrites the Fitbit reading for the same time period. Otherwise, I just let Fitbit do the adjustments for me over the remainder of the day. I lost my last 20 pounds using this method as well as maintaining for over two years, so at least I know it works for me!

    You *can* rest your Fitbit goals beyond the default 10K steps/5 miles/10 flights of stairs/etc. if you'd like as well -- those numbers aren't mandatory, just a suggestion.

    This is exactly what I do with my fitbit and Polar HRM. It is important to log exercise time correctly so that fitbit can not include the calories for time period you are logging formal exercise. I certainly do not think my fitbit is a waste of time. I credit it with keeping me more generally active outside of the times of formal exercise. You can also go into the goals of the fitbit website and adjust steps, calorie burn, and stairs to whatever you want. You don't have to leave it at 10,000 steps.
  • erinelissa91
    erinelissa91 Posts: 63 Member
    Options
    Kevalicious, you made me giggle. I understand that it doesn't count calories burned. That is possibly the reason I am feeling unnerved about this. It tracks movement alone and therefore, I don't want false information in my head telling me that because I lightly strolled around for the day at 16,000 steps that I can suddenly eat 500 more calories if I can't.

    I think I will let it do it's thing for another week or so, see how it goes and then decide if I want to use it or not. I did fine without a "pedometer", it was more out of curiosity and it has a motivation factor to get up and move a little more. Just confusing and if they are leading people on to believe they can consume a larger number of calories than they should to reach their goal, it seems wrong and misleading. Maybe I'm just not tech savvy and should just stick to scanning barcodes since I have figured that out. Lol
  • erinelissa91
    erinelissa91 Posts: 63 Member
    Options
    MFP has a Fitbit Users group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/1307-fitbit-users

    Set your goal to .5 lb. per week, and your activity level to sedentary: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/change_goals_guided

    Enable negative calorie adjustments: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings

    Connect your accounts: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/apps/show/30

    Follow your MFP calorie goal. Log food & water in MFP. Log exercise in Fitbit.

    Does this mean to eat back your "FitBit" calories then. Cause even at .5 pounds a week and sedentary, MFP puts me at 1200 calories and that isshh just isn't going to fly with me. Right now I am set at 1,500 a day, not eating many exercise calories back and this is a custom setup with 40/30/30 macros as well
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Options
    Kevalicious, you made me giggle. I understand that it doesn't count calories burned. That is possibly the reason I am feeling unnerved about this. It tracks movement alone and therefore, I don't want false information in my head telling me that because I lightly strolled around for the day at 16,000 steps that I can suddenly eat 500 more calories if I can't.
    Your Fitbit burn is your TDEE—way more accurate than any online calculator.

    I followed the instructions I posted above, and I lost 30 lbs. It will take trial & error to find what works for you.
    Does this mean to eat back your "FitBit" calories then. Cause even at .5 pounds a week and sedentary, MFP puts me at 1200 calories and that isshh just isn't going to fly with me. Right now I am set at 1,500 a day, not eating many exercise calories back and this is a custom setup with 40/30/30 macros as well.
    Connect your accounts, log your exercise in Fitbit, and eat back your calorie adjustments. Your adjustments are your Fitbit burn (your TDEE) minus your activity level.
  • erinelissa91
    erinelissa91 Posts: 63 Member
    Options
    Thanks! I guess I will give it a shot. I only have about 10-15 pounds to lose and 10 of 15 is probably vanity pounds. I will give it a shot. Can't hurt to try I suppose.

    I have not yet bought a FitBit device because of these confusions, but if it works with my phone, which I am a girl and carry it everywhere, then I think I will get a device. Thank you so much for your advice. Little nervous to go down to 1200, at the start of the day that is a low low number in comparison to 1500 and it might make me hangry!
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Options
    Little nervous to go down to 1200, at the start of the day that is a low low number in comparison to 1500 and it might make me hangry!
    If (and only if) you enable negative calorie adjustments, then it's safe to try setting your activity level to lightly active.

    You'll start out with more calories in the morning, but your adjustments will be smaller. At day's end, your calorie goal is always your Fitbit burn minus your deficit. But negative calorie adjustments never drop your calorie goal below 1,200, so if you're short like me (I'm 5'2"), you won't eat at a true deficit on lazy days (like when I binge watch TV).
  • erinelissa91
    erinelissa91 Posts: 63 Member
    Options
    Ahh. Netflix marathons, I try to stay away from those because they suck me in like a black hole and usually that black hole has chips and dip too. No good. I think I will try the original suggestion first. Since I'm at 1290 (woop woop). Bring on the steps I suppose.
  • Kidominos
    Kidominos Posts: 1,249 Member
    Options
    Like editorgrrl said, your Fitbit burn is your TDEE. I have also lost 35 lbs so far trusting my Fitbit TDEE along with MFP and a HRM. Eat back your exercise calories as long as you are confident that you have logged the calories burned accurately (for non-step based, non Fitbit activities). I find that MFP overestimates calories burned for me so I use a HRM for any non step based activity.

    I know how you feel... When I first saw what I was supposed to eat after using my Fitbit I was really surprised. I was under eating. I upped my calories to what MFP says from the Fitbit adjustment I am am losing the deficit I have both set at.
  • erinelissa91
    erinelissa91 Posts: 63 Member
    Options
    Ok so here is another question in relation. I track my "non-step based" activities on MFP, right? And log the start time and all that craziness? Then when I drop weight do I need to readjust on both MFP and FitBit so that my TDEE is correct. And how does FitBit know my TDEE without knowing my activity level??

    O lord, now I'm more confused than I was before.
  • erinelissa91
    erinelissa91 Posts: 63 Member
    Options
    Ok so here is another question in relation. I track my "non-step based" activities on MFP, right? And log the start time and all that craziness? Then when I drop weight do I need to readjust on both MFP and FitBit so that my TDEE is correct. And how does FitBit know my TDEE without knowing my activity level??

    O lord, now I'm more confused than I was before.

    Nevermind. Clearly I wasn't thinking. You're TDEE changes day to day because of activity levels, ya?
  • Kidominos
    Kidominos Posts: 1,249 Member
    Options
    Correct! :)
  • Kidominos
    Kidominos Posts: 1,249 Member
    Options
    You can log your non-stepped base activities on MFP or Fitbit but don't do both. I log them, like swimming, on MFP but others choose to log on FItbit. The sites sync with each other so either way works.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Options
    Ok so here is another question in relation. I track my "non-step based" activities on MFP, right? And log the start time and all that craziness?
    No need to log any step-based activity, as Fitbit is already tracking that for you.

    The only reason to log non-step exercise in MFP is if you insist on having your exercise show up in your newsfeed. Fitbit's burns are way more accurate than MFP's one-size-fits-all guesstimates, so I log in Fitbit.

    As I said above, you must log food & water in MFP. But exercise syncs both ways, so choose one or the other—never both.

    ETA: I cannot vouch for the accuracy of using the Fitbit app without a Fitbit tracker.

Categories