How accurate do you suppose FitBit is?
Replies
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Lyndonbearsmommy wrote: »If it's accurate (relatively speaking) that's even more frustrating for me since I haven't lost any weight. I must be doing something completely wrong and just don't know it. (I did eat cookies yesterday...)
This week it's been:
1388 intake (s/b 1906 per MFP-base calories are 1200) Burn: 2358
1211 intake (s/b 1885) Burn 2337
1392 intake (s/b 1829) Burn 2281
1565 intake (s/b 1585) Burn 2037
That's pretty average for me. My highest calorie burn this month was 2555 and lowest was 1786. Highest calories 1662, lowest 935.
Even if there's about a 20% inaccuracy of logging because I don't have a scale, there is still a deficit, right?
Your diary is private, so there's really no way anyone can answer this for you. You lose weight by eating at a deficit, so logging everything you eat and drink accurately and honestly is the key to success—with or without a Fitbit.
Read the Sexypants post. So much good "how-to" information: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p10 -
editorgrrl wrote: »Lyndonbearsmommy wrote: »If it's accurate (relatively speaking) that's even more frustrating for me since I haven't lost any weight. I must be doing something completely wrong and just don't know it. (I did eat cookies yesterday...)
This week it's been:
1388 intake (s/b 1906 per MFP-base calories are 1200) Burn: 2358
1211 intake (s/b 1885) Burn 2337
1392 intake (s/b 1829) Burn 2281
1565 intake (s/b 1585) Burn 2037
That's pretty average for me. My highest calorie burn this month was 2555 and lowest was 1786. Highest calories 1662, lowest 935.
Even if there's about a 20% inaccuracy of logging because I don't have a scale, there is still a deficit, right?
Your diary is private, so there's really no way anyone can answer this for you. You lose weight by eating at a deficit, so logging everything you eat and drink accurately and honestly is the key to success—with or without a Fitbit.
Read the Sexypants post. So much good "how-to" information: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
I have read that post, thanks. I opened my diary. I don't like it open, too much judgment, but I really would like help.0 -
Lyndonbearsmommy wrote: »editorgrrl wrote: »Lyndonbearsmommy wrote: »If it's accurate (relatively speaking) that's even more frustrating for me since I haven't lost any weight. I must be doing something completely wrong and just don't know it. (I did eat cookies yesterday...)
This week it's been:
1388 intake (s/b 1906 per MFP-base calories are 1200) Burn: 2358
1211 intake (s/b 1885) Burn 2337
1392 intake (s/b 1829) Burn 2281
1565 intake (s/b 1585) Burn 2037
That's pretty average for me. My highest calorie burn this month was 2555 and lowest was 1786. Highest calories 1662, lowest 935.
Even if there's about a 20% inaccuracy of logging because I don't have a scale, there is still a deficit, right?
Your diary is private, so there's really no way anyone can answer this for you. You lose weight by eating at a deficit, so logging everything you eat and drink accurately and honestly is the key to success—with or without a Fitbit.
Read the Sexypants post. So much good "how-to" information: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
I have read that post, thanks. I opened my diary. I don't like it open, too much judgment, but I really would like help.
Couple of questions about your logging. When you have things logged by tbsp or cups, are you using cups/tbsps or are you eyeballing? When you have things logged in grams how are you deciding how much that is since you don't have a scale?
Definitely don't use those "generic- omelet with 3 eggs" entries from the database. Even without a scale you can get more accurate than that. Log 3 eggs. Then log however much milk you used, if any. Then log each vegetable separately. Then whatever kind of oil/butter/etc.0 -
I recently did a test since I wanted to calculate my TDEE using my actual numbers. I added up my calories eaten and added 3500 calories for each pound lost over 30 days. I got a TDEE of 2683 calories. For the fun of it, I took the same 30 days and added up the TDEE calories Fitbit says I burned and got a TDEE of 2776. I would say that coming in with a difference of less than 100 calories is pretty accurate.
The more you wear it, the more accurate it will be. I have had mine for over a year so it has a lot of data to use. I have a flex and wear it 24/7 unless it is charging.
This is helpful. I just purchased a flex and was wondering that same question.0 -
My Charge HR is pretty darn accurate. I am losing the weight that is projected based on Fitbit calories burned and daily intake. So that's a good sign!0
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It really depends on which type. The Fitbit flex is just an accelerometer/pedometer, so it's estimate of your calorie burn is built off of the mathematical models that take into account your age, weight, height, etc to relate movement activity to calories. There's some "big data" type refinement that Fitbit says they are doing, but I don't know how much more accurate it makes it.
Trackers that also incorporate heart rate or galvanic skin response sensors can also add those datapoints to refine their calorie estimates, and can better track certain activities that accelerometers on the wrist just can't capture. It's still all estimates based on models, however.
These trackers can be valuable tools and help you better achieve your goals, but it's important to understand that the numbers they create have a margin of error, sometimes pretty significant. As long as that error is consistent (like normally 20-25% high or low), you can accommodate it, if it's highly variable it's much less trustworthy.0 -
I have a One. Overall I've found it very accurate. I'm now in maintenance and I learned that I must eat at/above what it says I burn or I continue to lose weight.Lyndonbearsmommy wrote: »I have a FitBit flex that I use. How accurate do you suppose the calories burned are?
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »Lyndonbearsmommy wrote: »editorgrrl wrote: »Lyndonbearsmommy wrote: »If it's accurate (relatively speaking) that's even more frustrating for me since I haven't lost any weight. I must be doing something completely wrong and just don't know it. (I did eat cookies yesterday...)
This week it's been:
1388 intake (s/b 1906 per MFP-base calories are 1200) Burn: 2358
1211 intake (s/b 1885) Burn 2337
1392 intake (s/b 1829) Burn 2281
1565 intake (s/b 1585) Burn 2037
That's pretty average for me. My highest calorie burn this month was 2555 and lowest was 1786. Highest calories 1662, lowest 935.
Even if there's about a 20% inaccuracy of logging because I don't have a scale, there is still a deficit, right?
Your diary is private, so there's really no way anyone can answer this for you. You lose weight by eating at a deficit, so logging everything you eat and drink accurately and honestly is the key to success—with or without a Fitbit.
Read the Sexypants post. So much good "how-to" information: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1
I have read that post, thanks. I opened my diary. I don't like it open, too much judgment, but I really would like help.
Couple of questions about your logging. When you have things logged by tbsp or cups, are you using cups/tbsps or are you eyeballing? When you have things logged in grams how are you deciding how much that is since you don't have a scale?
Definitely don't use those "generic- omelet with 3 eggs" entries from the database. Even without a scale you can get more accurate than that. Log 3 eggs. Then log however much milk you used, if any. Then log each vegetable separately. Then whatever kind of oil/butter/etc.
Yes, I do measure the food. On occasion, I eyeball it. As far as the omelet, I didn't make it, I bought it at a café. The guy didn't even know if it was 2 eggs or 3.
The grams thing is based on packaging (which I know is inaccurate).
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Yea I too have a fitbit charge and have really done alot of comparisons to see how accurate and so far I think it's spot on. I even wore a polar chest band for a while with my Charge HR on to compare the calories .. and it was pretty darn close. But I think it's all about how careful you are with how you wear the device too ....
Here is my monthly summary :
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Lyndonbearsmommy wrote: »If it's accurate (relatively speaking) that's even more frustrating for me since I haven't lost any weight. I must be doing something completely wrong and just don't know it. (I did eat cookies yesterday...)
This week it's been:
1388 intake (s/b 1906 per MFP-base calories are 1200) Burn: 2358
1211 intake (s/b 1885) Burn 2337
1392 intake (s/b 1829) Burn 2281
1565 intake (s/b 1585) Burn 2037
That's pretty average for me. My highest calorie burn this month was 2555 and lowest was 1786. Highest calories 1662, lowest 935.
Even if there's about a 20% inaccuracy of logging because I don't have a scale, there is still a deficit, right?
yes, but you shoud have provided the average for the month of your food intake. and what is "s/b"? You need to clarify what that is. I just took your highest plus your lowest food intake and divided it by 2 to get the average.
which is roughly 1300 calories. multiplied by 1.2 (this add's 20%) and that gives me roughly 1560 calories. THis number is UNDER your lowest calorie burn.
S/B is "should be" based on exercise calories. My average intake for the month of May is 1311. Well, if my fitbit is off by, say, 20% and my calories are off by about the same, my average deficit is 200 calories/day. Can't wait for that scale to arrive
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As for the water weight and the increase due to menstruation, it all averages out...at least in my opinion and experience.
If your weight goes up 3 lbs because it is during your period and you are bloated...once that period has passed the weight will jump back down. If you continue to eat in a deficit during those days you will continue to lose weight, you just may not see it right away. Now if the issue is that your hunger jumps up during those days and you feel the need/desire to eat more that is another issue entirely.
I have been lucky given that I don't bloat much, but on those rare occasions when I do....I know that the upkick in the scale is temporary and there will be a whoosh back down when it is all over.
I know this has nothing to do with FitBit, but it got brought up.
Yes, I know. Been tracking for over 3 years. Not answering in a snarky tone though. I understand about weight gain during my period, doesn't stop it from being frustrating as hell to be doing "the right things" and not seeing progress for 2 weeks. And, yes, I also understand about "weight loss is not linear", still frustrating. The frustration is why I'm not going to hit my GW and will give up if I reach a stable 155#.0 -
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I have a Fitbit Charge and I find it to be VERY accurate. I've compared it with MFP's suggestions, and suggestions from using Fitness Frog and other TDEE calculators, and they all match up. I'm set on MFP to lose .5 pounds a week, but I seem to be losing 1 lb a week for the last 5 weeks. (I'm set to sedentary, and I pretty much eat back all of my exercise calories.) So far, so good!
@cld111 do you have the regular charge or the charge HR?
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branflakes1980 wrote: »I have a Fitbit Charge and I find it to be VERY accurate. I've compared it with MFP's suggestions, and suggestions from using Fitness Frog and other TDEE calculators, and they all match up. I'm set on MFP to lose .5 pounds a week, but I seem to be losing 1 lb a week for the last 5 weeks. (I'm set to sedentary, and I pretty much eat back all of my exercise calories.) So far, so good!
@cld111 do you have the regular charge or the charge HR?
I have the regular Charge. I'm very happy with it, but I kind of wished I would have gotten the Charge HR. Just because I've been running and I wish I had the heart data.
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The Charge HR doesn't cost a whole lot more than the Charge, and it has a much more secure buckle.0
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Interesting math in this thread, and thanks shadow2soul for pointing out how easy it is to find the 30 day averages on the fitbit profile page.
While 1lb of fat is 3500 Cal; 1lb of protein/muscle is about 1500 Cal, and during weight loss both are in play
In general I concur that Fitbit's TDEE estimation is fairly accurate; certainly enough to warrant eating back much more than 50% of the fitbit adjustment calories!
In my case, over a 3+ month period, Charge HR vs my MFP logging vs the results of DXA scans and trend-weighted scale observations point to a TDEE over-estimation of about 5%.
In other words 160 to 190 Calories of my putative burn of about 3500+ just don't exist
Now wouldn't it be nice if we could have a "real life adjustment" function where we could tell either Fitbit or MFP to adjust our TDEE by a certain % to better conform to reality!
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This discussion has been closed.
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