Fitbit VS. MFP

Just_NeNe24
Just_NeNe24 Posts: 23 Member
edited November 19 in Food and Nutrition
I notice that my remaining calories for the day differ between these two apps. For instance today MFP said I have 184 calories remaining for the day, but FitBit says I have 222 remaining.

I am wondering which one is more accurate. My mind is saying go with the larger number LOL!

Secondly, am I the only one go get annoys with the negative fitbit step tracker for the calories before I do my daily work out? I am stationary a lot of the day and only work out in the evenings :-)

Replies

  • seska422
    seska422 Posts: 3,217 Member
    edited June 2017
    Just_NeNe24 wrote: »
    I notice that my remaining calories for the day differ between these two apps. For instance today MFP said I have 184 calories remaining for the day, but FitBit says I have 222 remaining.

    I am wondering which one is more accurate. My mind is saying go with the larger number LOL!
    Those are essentially the same number. Pick one to follow for a while and see how your results are over time using the calories from that source.

    Calorie counting isn't an exact process but you can zero in on your personal "accurate enough" through experience.

  • Just_NeNe24
    Just_NeNe24 Posts: 23 Member
    Great advice @seska422 ...I think I will keep following MFP. Since I have been logging my food accurately on here I have got good results with my overall fitness goals.
  • Derf_Smeggle
    Derf_Smeggle Posts: 610 Member
    I've got a Samsung Gear S2/ S Health, and run into similar math issues. I use MFP and it's working well for me.
  • OhMsDiva
    OhMsDiva Posts: 1,073 Member
    It is a question that goes unanswered for me. I do not normally eat back any of my exercise calories but mfp always gives me a lot more calories than mfp. Sometimes it is almost double. I know for sure if I ate that amount of calories that I would be gaining weight, but I do like to see the numbers anyway.
  • Just_NeNe24
    Just_NeNe24 Posts: 23 Member
    @OhMsDiva I agree about eating the calories back. I just wanted to see if anyone else was experiencing this.
  • Just_NeNe24
    Just_NeNe24 Posts: 23 Member
    @Derf_Smeggle yes I go with MFP and my changes have been significant. I will stay on track
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    seska422 wrote: »
    Just_NeNe24 wrote: »
    I notice that my remaining calories for the day differ between these two apps. For instance today MFP said I have 184 calories remaining for the day, but FitBit says I have 222 remaining.

    I am wondering which one is more accurate. My mind is saying go with the larger number LOL!
    Those are essentially the same number. Pick one to follow for a while and see how your results are over time using the calories from that source.

    Calorie counting isn't an exact process but you can zero in on your personal "accurate enough" through experience.


    200 with a 10% delta as @seska422 said. Is the same number.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    edited June 2017
    Just_NeNe24 wrote: »
    I notice that my remaining calories for the day differ between these two apps. For instance today MFP said I have 184 calories remaining for the day, but FitBit says I have 222 remaining.

    I am wondering which one is more accurate. My mind is saying go with the larger number LOL!

    Secondly, am I the only one go get annoys with the negative fitbit step tracker for the calories before I do my daily work out? I am stationary a lot of the day and only work out in the evenings :-)

    They both count your per hour or minute calorie burn as different, so even though Fitbit inform MFP what the total is up to a certain time - their math for rest of the day will be different.

    MFP sedentary (that many pick) is BMR x 1.25, and so that point in the evening when you plop on couch and then to bed are overestimated at that rate when it's really only about BMR level burn.

    Fitbit sedentary (either that or Historic) is BMR x 1.05 or such.

    So during the day, their estimate for rest of the day's burn - can't match.

    As long as syncing is going - use MFP for eating related goals, use Fitbit for moving related goals.

    Otherwise trying to follow 2 routes to the same destination can be confusing and frustrating.
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