Confused about adjustment
Replies
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Steps are great for challenges but there is a big difference in my calorie adjustment on the quality of steps. Big difference between 10K steps puttering around the office and 10K hiking up a mountain.
I start in the hole when I start the day that goes away pretty quickly. I stopped wearing my Surge 24x7 so a drop overnight. I haven't had issues maintaining and I don't always feel the need to end the day with a buffer. If you are reaching your goal loss then I wouldn't over think it. Fitbit probably does best for people who maintain consistent activity rather active via time bound exercise.0 -
Ok I got it, I think!!!
Based on yesterday....
2113 Calories burned
1000 minus my deficit to lose 2 lbs a week
1434 minus my Calories In
321 calories over
So in order to hit my deficit of 1000 calories I needed to either eat 321 less calories (which would put me at 1113 calories) OR earn more exercising.
Now to figure out why it says I can eat more yet I'm over:)0 -
Maxematics wrote: »If you set your food plan to sedentary instead of personalized on Fitbit, it avoids the projected/drastic swings in calorie allotment on MFP.
Just FYI - that ONLY has a bearing in case where your device is NOT syncing regularly to your account for updated info to be provided to MFP.
That rate of burn - sedentary is barely above BMR (1.05), and personalized is based on historical averages - is used when there is no actual device data to use.
If your actually sync your device frequently during the day like with a phone - it doesn't matter.1 -
On a side note, the fitbit app confuses me. It says I have 85 calories left but that I am over budget on calories (which I'm sure will not be the case in 3 hours but it's just silly).
But I'm still seeing the constant adjustments after changing the fitbit diary settings and I'm still losing 100 calories overnight on MFP.
Yes - that setting doesn't do what it was suggested it did - unless you only sync your device at night - then you'll just get one huge surprise and big adjustment since you got barely above sleep calorie burn rate all day long - then your Fitbit syncs and you are WAY over that number giving big adjustment.
That's what I get with by Zip - I don't sync to phone, avoiding the apps keeps me from having as many sync issues.
But I have rather consistent day and meals - I don't have to worry about math and extra calories until after evening workout, and since dinner usually follows that - not hard to adjust.
And that setting won't change the fact of what is going to happen at night.
That chart you are looking at on Fitbit has been found by many to be about worthless - it is looking at the time right then and there - what have you burned, and what have you eaten - and are they within like 50 calories (or 85?).
But rarely do people go through their day matched up like that.
Shoot, prior to breakfast you'll be way under, and if a big breakfast, then way above.
Many remove that dial gauge.
Actually - attempting to follow 2 roads to the same destination usually leads to aggravation (especially if a man with no map is trying to point out 1 road, anyway...) and confusion - hence the advice if the syncing is working, use MFP for eating goals, Fitbit for exercise goals.0 -
leanjogreen18 wrote: »I've read and reread the stickies and I just don't get it. I'm feeling pretty unintelligent right now:(
Read only the parts that apply at first.
If you enjoy math and details, then get into that section. If you don't - skip it.
The basic premise is this.
MFP helps you with eating goal based on what it estimates you burn daily with no exercise - based on your selection of Activity Level. If you do exercise, then you log that since you just burned more, then your eating goal lets you eat more. If set to lose weight, you are eating less than you burn.
MFP syncing daily calorie burn from activity trackers allows it to correct it's estimate of daily burn, to something that is normally much more correct based on device actually seeing what you do, and perhaps logging things it doesn't see you do well.
MFP then corrects itself for your daily burn, creates a diet, and adjusts your eating goal.
Simple as that - the rest are details to improve these estimates all around.0 -
Honestly I really don't understand what would be so hard about only adding extra calories from steps once you've passed the threshold at which you'll pretty much have to be over even if you're only burning resting calories the rest of the day.
And I'm really not sure that Fitbit is to blame for that... that could be done on MFP's side, as they already have an idea of what your TDEE is for your activity level.0 -
Maxematics wrote: »If you set your food plan to sedentary instead of personalized on Fitbit, it avoids the projected/drastic swings in calorie allotment on MFP.
Just FYI - that ONLY has a bearing in case where your device is NOT syncing regularly to your account for updated info to be provided to MFP.
That rate of burn - sedentary is barely above BMR (1.05), and personalized is based on historical averages - is used when there is no actual device data to use.
If your actually sync your device frequently during the day like with a phone - it doesn't matter.
That's quite odd because that wasn't my experience. However, the other posters mentioned they are sedentary for long periods of time whereas I'm not but was when I first got it. Maybe that has something to do with it but I found it avoided drastic drops/spikes for me throughout the day. I just kept earning calories as the day went on and by the end of the day before bed maybe I lost a maximum of 10 calories. In any case, thanks for sharing the info! I should play around with both settings as it's been two years.0 -
Maxematics wrote: »Maxematics wrote: »If you set your food plan to sedentary instead of personalized on Fitbit, it avoids the projected/drastic swings in calorie allotment on MFP.
Just FYI - that ONLY has a bearing in case where your device is NOT syncing regularly to your account for updated info to be provided to MFP.
That rate of burn - sedentary is barely above BMR (1.05), and personalized is based on historical averages - is used when there is no actual device data to use.
If your actually sync your device frequently during the day like with a phone - it doesn't matter.
That's quite odd because that wasn't my experience. However, the other posters mentioned they are sedentary for long periods of time whereas I'm not but was when I first got it. Maybe that has something to do with it but I found it avoided drastic drops/spikes for me throughout the day. I just kept earning calories as the day went on and by the end of the day before bed maybe I lost a maximum of 10 calories. In any case, thanks for sharing the info! I should play around with both settings as it's been two years.
For me, I'm the most active in the morning, but I keep getting steps throughout the day too - probably 500-1000 steps an hour (more if I go for another walk, obviously). I usually sit on the couch at 8.30pm but only lose maybe 20 calories those 2 hours... then I lose 100 calories overnight.
It's just kinda weird.0 -
Honestly I really don't understand what would be so hard about only adding extra calories from steps once you've passed the threshold at which you'll pretty much have to be over even if you're only burning resting calories the rest of the day.
And I'm really not sure that Fitbit is to blame for that... that could be done on MFP's side, as they already have an idea of what your TDEE is for your activity level.
Well, that actually is what they do basically.
Your Fitbit calorie burn up to that point is used for the day up till then - your MFP rate of burn is used for rest of the day estimate.
If MFP estimated your daily burn is 2000 (whatever activity level makes that happen say), and Fitbit reported at noon (50% of day) your burn so far was 1400, here's what happens. Say you have 1 lb weekly loss selected, 500 cal deficit - so eating goal starts at 1500.
Fitbit 1400 + (day estimate 2000 x 50% left = 1000) = 2400 estimated daily and called Fitbit figure though.
2400 - 2000 MFP day estimated = 400 cal adjustment.
Eating goal 1500 + 400 = 1900 new eating goal. From 2400 estimated to burn. 500 deficit still.
Now - if that 1000 estimate for rest of the 12 hrs of the day exactly matches your activity level - that's what you'll get at end of day.
And that likely is not going to happen.
So the math is done each time Fitbit sends over new daily calorie burn total.
You sit all afternoon at work and drive home at 6 pm for another sync then.
Fitbit 1700 + (day 2000 x 25% left = 500) = 2200
2200 - 2000 MFP estimated = 200 cal adjustment.
eating goal 1500 + 200 = 1700 goal.
Ect, ect.
MFP really has no idea of your schedule or eventual schedule - so the burn rate is constant, even though it's obvious 6-8 hrs of the day is BMR level burn as sleeping, and rest is some amount even above selected activity level.0 -
Maxematics wrote: »Maxematics wrote: »If you set your food plan to sedentary instead of personalized on Fitbit, it avoids the projected/drastic swings in calorie allotment on MFP.
Just FYI - that ONLY has a bearing in case where your device is NOT syncing regularly to your account for updated info to be provided to MFP.
That rate of burn - sedentary is barely above BMR (1.05), and personalized is based on historical averages - is used when there is no actual device data to use.
If you actually sync your device frequently during the day like with a phone - it doesn't matter.
That's quite odd because that wasn't my experience. However, the other posters mentioned they are sedentary for long periods of time whereas I'm not but was when I first got it. Maybe that has something to do with it but I found it avoided drastic drops/spikes for me throughout the day. I just kept earning calories as the day went on and by the end of the day before bed maybe I lost a maximum of 10 calories. In any case, thanks for sharing the info! I should play around with both settings as it's been two years.
Ya, that setting merely effects the stats it's giving to MFP, it doesn't effect the math that MFP is doing with the stats.
If you never synced your device in a day or perhaps no data connection to get it from your phone to your account - your Fitbit will be supplying to MFP burn figures based on what it knows at least must be occurring.
Sedentary is barely above BMR sleep level burn - so for many around 80 cal / hr.
You will always get negative adjustments from MFP as the day goes on - because Sedentary on MFP is 1.25 x BMR, Fitbit is reporting barely above BMR, so you'll get adjustments that ends up being negative enough to end up with what MFP would never have given.
Personalized is historical based burn rate - so who knows - could be close to MFP estimated burn rate, could be way off.
This would likely be equal or above what MFP is estimating for the day, so indeed there is chance you have very minor adjustments if your history happens to match your MFP selected activity level.
And if that's the case with history - decent chance your daily activity could also almost match, and while at some point in evening you could be say 150 over adjustment, and then go to bed, the next day would be corrected to say that 10 cal difference.
Some people truly are average and happen to match the levels given.0 -
Maxematics wrote: »Maxematics wrote: »If you set your food plan to sedentary instead of personalized on Fitbit, it avoids the projected/drastic swings in calorie allotment on MFP.
Just FYI - that ONLY has a bearing in case where your device is NOT syncing regularly to your account for updated info to be provided to MFP.
That rate of burn - sedentary is barely above BMR (1.05), and personalized is based on historical averages - is used when there is no actual device data to use.
If your actually sync your device frequently during the day like with a phone - it doesn't matter.
That's quite odd because that wasn't my experience. However, the other posters mentioned they are sedentary for long periods of time whereas I'm not but was when I first got it. Maybe that has something to do with it but I found it avoided drastic drops/spikes for me throughout the day. I just kept earning calories as the day went on and by the end of the day before bed maybe I lost a maximum of 10 calories. In any case, thanks for sharing the info! I should play around with both settings as it's been two years.
For me, I'm the most active in the morning, but I keep getting steps throughout the day too - probably 500-1000 steps an hour (more if I go for another walk, obviously). I usually sit on the couch at 8.30pm but only lose maybe 20 calories those 2 hours... then I lose 100 calories overnight.
It's just kinda weird.
It also depends on when Fitbit is syncing stats to MFP.
Fitbit only sends new burn if 100 higher than last burn. Since that is over 1 hr of sitting time for almost everyone, the timing of those syncs can make things appear different ways on different days.
So if you had a last sync from Fitbit to MFP about 8:30 right after being active, there wasn't much correction to give on that one.
Then next sync is 9:45 showing a little correction, next sync at 11 of BMR level burn is after you've already looked - so only 1 correction in there that you observed.
So next morning is correction from 9:45 until midnight - easily 100 calories.
You can look at the stats on those adjustments to see the time and total it's based on from Fitbit.0 -
leanjogreen18 wrote: »Ok I got it, I think!!!
Based on yesterday....
2113 Calories burned
1000 minus my deficit to lose 2 lbs a week
1434 minus my Calories In
321 calories over
So in order to hit my deficit of 1000 calories I needed to either eat 321 less calories (which would put me at 1113 calories) OR earn more exercising.
Now to figure out why it says I can eat more yet I'm over:)
Actually - I'd suggest with figures that low - a 1000 cal deficit @ 2lbs weekly isn't a realistic goal - your body will likely adapt and rebel and you won't enjoy the results.
The reason why the math doesn't seem to work out is because MFP stops eating goal at 1200 for safety.
Even if your daily activity pushes your daily burn high enough that a deficit would end up above 1200, it starts the math at 1200 eating goal.
MFP estimates 2000 daily burn because you picked sedentary, and you pick 2 lbs weekly - you'll get 1200 eating goal - only an 800 deficit.
Fitbit reports you actually burned 2400 - 2000 MFP estimate = 400 adjustment
1200 eating goal + 400 = new goal.
That's why they threw the adjustment under exercise diary even though it's not necessarily or even exercise at all - merely so the math can be handled.
But if daily activity with no exercise was causing Fitbit reporting 2400 always - that would be a case where telling MFP you are Lightly Active would be better - then you could have a full 1000 deficit - and exercise would push you higher yet for eating level and keep it.
But if you can't even accomplish that 1000 with some exercise - then it's not realistic, pick 1 lb weekly if you have less than 30 lbs to lose. 1.5 if 30-60, 2 lbs if overy 60. 0.5 lbs if 10 lbs left.
If you don't purposely select a realistic goal - the body will usually adapt and force it on you anyway - by several negative mechanisms that are no good for sustainability and adherence.
It's why majority of dieters gain the weight back, and more.0 -
leanjogreen18 wrote: »Ok I got it, I think!!!
Based on yesterday....
2113 Calories burned
1000 minus my deficit to lose 2 lbs a week
1434 minus my Calories In
321 calories over
So in order to hit my deficit of 1000 calories I needed to either eat 321 less calories (which would put me at 1113 calories) OR earn more exercising.
Now to figure out why it says I can eat more yet I'm over:)
Actually - I'd suggest with figures that low - a 1000 cal deficit @ 2lbs weekly isn't a realistic goal - your body will likely adapt and rebel and you won't enjoy the results.
The reason why the math doesn't seem to work out is because MFP stops eating goal at 1200 for safety.
Even if your daily activity pushes your daily burn high enough that a deficit would end up above 1200, it starts the math at 1200 eating goal.
MFP estimates 2000 daily burn because you picked sedentary, and you pick 2 lbs weekly - you'll get 1200 eating goal - only an 800 deficit.
Fitbit reports you actually burned 2400 - 2000 MFP estimate = 400 adjustment
1200 eating goal + 400 = new goal.
That's why they threw the adjustment under exercise diary even though it's not necessarily or even exercise at all - merely so the math can be handled.
But if daily activity with no exercise was causing Fitbit reporting 2400 always - that would be a case where telling MFP you are Lightly Active would be better - then you could have a full 1000 deficit - and exercise would push you higher yet for eating level and keep it.
But if you can't even accomplish that 1000 with some exercise - then it's not realistic, pick 1 lb weekly if you have less than 30 lbs to lose. 1.5 if 30-60, 2 lbs if overy 60. 0.5 lbs if 10 lbs left.
If you don't purposely select a realistic goal - the body will usually adapt and force it on you anyway - by several negative mechanisms that are no good for sustainability and adherence.
It's why majority of dieters gain the weight back, and more.
Thank you. I have 75 lbs to lose and I'm 5'4" and 50f so unfortunately 1200 is about 1.5 lbs a week for me:(. Im pretty sedentary I forced myself to get in 5k steps in the last 2 days since I got the Fitbit but it's closer to 2k before Fitbit guessing. Only other exercise is body strength training 3x a week.
I'm not having many issues with the 1200 - 6 months and 40 lbs so far.
My only issues is math:(
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Ok, for you the 1200 is just fine then - and your "only other exercise" is excellent!
That should never be considered an "only other" - it's the best one to maintain and possibly add some muscle mass during your loss.
Even though the calorie burn from it may not be as high as other things (about the same as walking) - you'll transform the body a whole lot more (especially compared to walking).
Keep it up.
I would recommend manually logging weight lifting on Fitbit though, as any of the devices will be inaccurate on calorie count estimate.
Since 3 x weekly, probably not a major difference in the scheme of a week - but still, if able to, get to eat more on the day the body will really know what to do with extra food.0 -
So now according to MFP I have 100 calories left, according to Fitbit I'm 120 calories over. Gotta love it.0
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I really pay no attention to fitbits numbers! Right now I'm -459 in fitbit and -4 in mfp. It's early in the morning here though, they will eventually catch up by the end of the day.0
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Christine_72 wrote: »
So far honestly Fitbit has been accurate (not the in/out sticker, but the 'calories left' thing) and MFP off by 100ish calories. That's why the numbers really don't make sense today, lol.0 -
5'4" 50f 194. My Fitbit gave me almost 800 calories for 9k steps. Does that sound right? That seems way high. I have it on my left hand and set left as my dominant (I'm right handed). I also cleaned house.0
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leanjogreen18 wrote: »5'4" 50f 194. My Fitbit gave me almost 800 calories for 9k steps. Does that sound right? That seems way high. I have it on my left hand and set left as my dominant (I'm right handed). I also cleaned house.
Is that 800 adjustment on the fitbit page or is that the number transfered over to mfp?
If the former, then it sounds totally reasonable. Dont forget that the number over on fitbit is your TDEE, not seperate exercise calories.
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Christine_72 wrote: »leanjogreen18 wrote: »5'4" 50f 194. My Fitbit gave me almost 800 calories for 9k steps. Does that sound right? That seems way high. I have it on my left hand and set left as my dominant (I'm right handed). I also cleaned house.
Is that 800 adjustment on the fitbit page or is that the number transfered over to mfp?
If the former, then it sounds totally reasonable. Dont forget that the number over on fitbit is your TDEE, not seperate exercise calories.
It's exercise calories transferred over to Mfp.
Fitbit says 985 cal in so far with 704 to go. Total burn at 7:01 pm is 2294.0 -
leanjogreen18 wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »leanjogreen18 wrote: »5'4" 50f 194. My Fitbit gave me almost 800 calories for 9k steps. Does that sound right? That seems way high. I have it on my left hand and set left as my dominant (I'm right handed). I also cleaned house.
Is that 800 adjustment on the fitbit page or is that the number transfered over to mfp?
If the former, then it sounds totally reasonable. Dont forget that the number over on fitbit is your TDEE, not seperate exercise calories.
It's exercise calories transferred over to Mfp.
Fitbit says 985 cal in so far with 704 to go. Total burn at 7:01 pm is 2294.
Yikes, 800 calories for 9000 steps does sound excessive. Have you checked that your stats, height, weight, age, are correct in mfp and fitbit.
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leanjogreen18 wrote: »Christine_72 wrote: »leanjogreen18 wrote: »5'4" 50f 194. My Fitbit gave me almost 800 calories for 9k steps. Does that sound right? That seems way high. I have it on my left hand and set left as my dominant (I'm right handed). I also cleaned house.
Is that 800 adjustment on the fitbit page or is that the number transfered over to mfp?
If the former, then it sounds totally reasonable. Dont forget that the number over on fitbit is your TDEE, not seperate exercise calories.
It's exercise calories transferred over to Mfp.
Fitbit says 985 cal in so far with 704 to go. Total burn at 7:01 pm is 2294.
Steps doesn't give calories.
The distance those steps cause give calories. (obviously a whole lot of bogus steps causes extra distance too).
Have you confirmed your average daily pace on a known track distance?
You did probably have some bogus wimpy steps from cleaning and arm movement (meaning short distance and not many calories) - but it still could influence it, especially when spring cleaning comes up for hours at a time perhaps.0 -
I just went and checked mine. It's 4:20pm and so far I've done 15,123 (6.5miles) steps and have 622 extra calories in mfp for it.
I'm 5"8 and 150lbs, age 45. But i reduced my height and stride length in fitbit by 2 inches, and added 5 years to my age. I did this because i was getting inflated calorie burns. You're 40lbs heavier, so not sure how much a difference this will make.0 -
Christine_72 wrote: »
So far honestly Fitbit has been accurate (not the in/out sticker, but the 'calories left' thing) and MFP off by 100ish calories. That's why the numbers really don't make sense today, lol.
That's probably the 100 calories I've mentioned before - Fitbit doesn't send new daily burn until it's 100 higher than last sync.
Are you actually looking at the details on your calorie adjustment?
It says exactly the time of the last sync and the calorie burn then.
Likely would answer your question as to the difference.0 -
Age, weight & height correct on both.
Haybales- I haven't checked pace and know distances.
I was doing a big cleaning.
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You need to look at your 24 hr calorie burn and step graph. Totals aren't really useful.
Confirm the steps look right for the time you were active, and if they seem high, confirm on the calorie burn graph.0 -
I don't see anything glaringly wrong. Steps and calories burned look correct when I compare the graphs. I burned most calories when I went for a walk and it's showing steady calories burned during my cleaning times.0
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leanjogreen18 wrote: »5'4" 50f 194. My Fitbit gave me almost 800 calories for 9k steps. Does that sound right? That seems way high. I have it on my left hand and set left as my dominant (I'm right handed). I also cleaned house.
Doesn't sound crazy to me. It takes heart rate into account too so you'd burn more calories doing 9k steps while being on your feet doing things all day than just walking 9k steps then sitting in the couch all day. One of my highest calorie days lately was also one of my fewest steps, but I literally didn't sit down for more than 10 minutes at a time from 8am to 7pm or something.1 -
Francl has a point with the heart rate. I started off with the zip and now have an Alta, neither of which have HR monitors, so i have no experience with them. Mine simply gives me calories for steps/distance.1
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