Fitbit in maintenance

Not very. I had to figure out, by slowly adjusting up from my weight-loss calories over time, what my actual maintenance calories should be.

Also, when we set up our calories in MFP, remember that we are already telling MFP how active we are. Whenever I have "added back in" activity calories to that limit, I gain weight.

All activity trackers base the caloric output on average statistics that are based on sex, height, weight, age, etc. Some Fitbit devices with heart rate also use that in the calculation. My Fitbit regularly tells me I burned over 2000 calories per day, but there is not way that I can have that as my intake. You kind of have to find that number for yourself through trial and error. You'll get there - just be patient with yourself.

I read through the comments, and then just started adding back in 100-200 calories more per day for a few days or a week at a time. I weigh myself twice per week, and carefully tracked the effect on my weight. Everyone will be different, so you have to find your value that works for you. You may wish to work with a nutritionist to help you figure out some of it if you have the opportunity. Good luck!

Of the 3 Fitbits I've had - Ultra, Zip, and One - the Zip was WAY off for calorie burn (would tell me I burned 3,000 as TDEE when my Ultra told me 2,400). The Ultra and One were/are on par with my TDEE. I am pretty average for calculations though. I use One now and am fine with it.

I haven't used any of the bracelet Fitbits, but I've read they are likely less accurate because they're worn on the wrist and most enjoy tracking wrist/arm movements as steps.

Used Fitbit to lose weight successfully and now I've been using it for over a year to maintain weight. For me , its spot on and accurate.

I tracked mine for about 6 months when I was losing weight and found it to be about 90% accurate (FitBit Charge HR). I just finished tracking it the last 8 weeks (maintenance) and it was around 92% accurate (Fitbit Charge HR2).

For instance, if it tells me I burned 3,000 for the day, I find it's more like 2760.

I agree with dbearest that adding 100-200 calories until things even out is a good approach. I would keep track of your weight, intake, and the Fitbit reading, though. If you're like me, your activity level varies week to week, so it's nice to be able to look at something and know about where you stand with calories.

3 months so far and it seems pretty accurate to me (I have the Charge 2).

Keep in mind though that if you're not accurate in tracking your food, it just won't be accurate anyway.

My fitbit low balls hard. When the weather was still fair in the fall I hit goal (130) set it to maintain, was training hard and fell to 123 before I got a handle on it. I don't know if it's my activity level or my low heart rate or what but it was not an accurate measure for me

For me, if I eat under what Fitbit says I burn: I lose weight.

The only thing to do is try something for 6-8 weeks and judge by your results. Such as aim to eat 100-150 under what your Fitbit shows as your burn. If after 8 weeks, you are maintaining: your Fitbit is a little high. If you lose weight, then you can eat a little more.

Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »

Hello, I was just wondering how accurate your fitbit has been in calculating daily maintenance calories?

How many calories does it say you burn a day according to the fitbit website? How many do you actually maintain on? Trying to get an idea if they are accurate for judging maintenance calories.