I'm confused

smcclaycouffer
smcclaycouffer Posts: 104 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I recently got a fitbit and it's linked to MFP which is adds calories burned at the end of the day. Question is should I still log my exercise on MFP or just use what the fitbit gives me at the end of the day??? Thank you

Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Depends. Step based exercises don't log - FitBit does that for you. Other exercises it is up to you. Some people just let FitBit do its thing and don't bother logging anything else. Other people want to eat more so they log it to get the extra calories since FitBit doesn't track non-step based well. Personally I just let it do its thing - I don't have much success with eating the FitBit step calories plus adding a bunch more calories for other exercises. Just up to you and what works for you.
  • smcclaycouffer
    smcclaycouffer Posts: 104 Member
    Ready2Rock206 wrote: »
    Depends. Step based exercises don't log - FitBit does that for you. Other exercises it is up to you. Some people just let FitBit do its thing and don't bother logging anything else. Other people want to eat more so they log it to get the extra calories since FitBit doesn't track non-step based well. Personally I just let it do its thing - I don't have much success with eating the FitBit step calories plus adding a bunch more calories for other exercises. Just up to you and what works for you.

    So going on walks don't log but if I do the elliptical or bike I should log?
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    smcclaycouffer wrote: »
    Ready2Rock206 wrote: »
    Depends. Step based exercises don't log - FitBit does that for you. Other exercises it is up to you. Some people just let FitBit do its thing and don't bother logging anything else. Other people want to eat more so they log it to get the extra calories since FitBit doesn't track non-step based well. Personally I just let it do its thing - I don't have much success with eating the FitBit step calories plus adding a bunch more calories for other exercises. Just up to you and what works for you.

    So going on walks don't log but if I do the elliptical or bike I should log?

    No, don't log any of that. You would log stuff like strength training or swimming that doesn't register on Fitbit.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    You don't log the exercise if you are wearing the Fitbit at the same time. That would give double the calorie burn.
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    Like the others said it depends. You can experiment. If over time you start gaining weight or staying the same but your goal is to lose fat, then the amount the fitbit gives you is too much.

    Some things to think about regarding the calorie levels whether you eat back calories or not:

    How is your general feeling of well being?
    How do you feel working out?
    How well do you recover from workouts?
    Do you have the energy to complete your daily responsibilities?
    How well do you sleep at night?
    Are you binging?

    Those will give you better answers than the fitbit or someones theory about eat back calories or not.

    Roberta
  • atypicalsmith
    atypicalsmith Posts: 2,742 Member
    I'm too old for these newfangled gadgets. Have fun all you youngsters!
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    beemerphile1 wrote: »
    You don't log the exercise if you are wearing the Fitbit at the same time. That would give double the calorie burn.

    No it won't. You log the start and end time and it will override the FitBit adjustment.

  • lalepepper
    lalepepper Posts: 447 Member
    Ready2Rock206 wrote: »
    beemerphile1 wrote: »
    You don't log the exercise if you are wearing the Fitbit at the same time. That would give double the calorie burn.

    No it won't. You log the start and end time and it will override the FitBit adjustment.

    Ah, so THIS is why the times were added for workouts a while back? I didn't realize this was a possibility. Do you know if this applies to non-Fitbit adjustments? I have a Garmin Vivofit.
  • smcclaycouffer
    smcclaycouffer Posts: 104 Member
    Thank you everyone for your input!!
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    smcclaycouffer wrote: »
    Should I still log my exercise on MFP or just use what the fitbit gives me at the end of the day?

    No need to log any step-based activity—your Fitbit is tracking it for you. Log non-step exercise (like swimming or biking) either in Fitbit or in MFP—never both. Exercise logged in MFP overwrites your Fitbit burn during that time.

    If you want your Fitbit exercise to appear in your feed, post a status update. That way you get the best of both worlds—an accurate burn + likes.

    You can learn more in the Fitbit Users group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/1290-fitbit-users
  • swim777
    swim777 Posts: 599 Member
    Good info! I have a Shine and wondered when I added in swimming if I was getting an accurate reading.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    If (and only if) you enable negative calorie adjustments in your diary settings, eating back your adjustments means you're eating TDEE minus deficit: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/diary_settings

    But you still have to log everything you eat & drink accurately and honestly,
  • phoenixx866
    phoenixx866 Posts: 173 Member
    For me if I'm doing any activity other than walking or running, I love my HRM. My FitBit has a built in one, but I prefer the cheststrap. Whenever I eliptical, I take off the fitbit or it counts it twice.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Enable negative calorie adjustments, change your activity level to sedentary and let the tracker do the rest. It records step like activities, you enter the rest, (cardio, lifting) into your fitbit and it will sync with MFP.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    phoenixx866 wrote: »
    I love my HRM. My FitBit has a built in one, but I prefer the cheststrap. Whenever I eliptical, I take off the fitbit or it counts it twice.

    Leave your Fitbit on. Exercise logged in MFP overwrites your Fitbit burn during that time, so you're never "double dipping" your burns.
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