Activity Tracker Owners - Post Here!

2

Replies

  • LynnJ9
    LynnJ9 Posts: 414 Member
    edited January 2018
    Can anybody explain the negative steps? Why do we get them? How can we prevent them?....I don’t understand.

    If you set your activity to lightly active or active, MFP expects you to walk a certain number of steps based on that setting. It then allots you calories for those steps in your daily allowance. If you do not walk enough steps to justify the extra calories given due to your activity setting, MFP will deduct the calories. To avoid the negative calories walk more, or set your activity to sedentary and let MFP add calories when you walk above the sedentary level.
  • Zipbsky
    Zipbsky Posts: 99 Member
    Can anybody explain the negative steps? Why do we get them? How can we prevent them?....I don’t understand.

    As far as I know, you don't get negative steps. If you set your activity level to say lightly active but don't take enough steps to actually be lightly active ( I think the # is 3000, but I'm not sure) then MFP changes that day's calories to reflect your activity level. The worst part is the adjustment happens at the end of the day so you may have already eaten those calories.
  • LynnJ9
    LynnJ9 Posts: 414 Member
    LynnJ9 wrote: »
    I have the fitbit Alta HR. I love it, and I also have MFP set to sedentary because as a teacher there are days I will have 12000 steps, and other days only 2000. I think the fitbit it pretty accurate on the calories it gives me for exercising.
    The only time it doesn't seem to make sense is when I bike ride. For instance if I walk 10000 steps it gives me about 500 calories, but if I ride 10 miles it gives me 400 calories for that, but then only gives me an additional 100 calories for the steps even though I may have walked 8000 steps.

    So if you set your activity to sedentary versus lightly active that’s better?

    I like it better for three reasons. First, because I have the days I walk 12000 steps, but i also have the days I am in meetings all day and barely walk 2000 steps; sedentary is more appropriate on those days. Second, I figure the days it underestimates my exercise calories due to my bike riding makes up for the days I unintentionally underestimate my food calories when logging. And third, I like to see all the calories I burn from exercising. It keeps me cognizant of the impact of just walking. I think if I set my activity level to lightly active and I didn't see the exercise calories accumulate during the day I wouldn't be as motivated to find opportunities to walk.
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    LynnJ9 wrote: »
    Can anybody explain the negative steps? Why do we get them? How can we prevent them?....I don’t understand.

    If you set your activity to lightly active or active, MFP expects you to walk a certain number of steps based on that setting. It then allots you calories for those steps in your daily allowance. If you do not walk enough steps to justify the extra calories given due to your activity setting, MFP will deduct the calories. To avoid the negative calories walk more, or set your activity to sedentary and let MFP add calories when you walk above the sedentary level.

    I JUST SAW THE LIGHT! Thank you for this explanation. I never understood why I kept getting negatives. You’re an awesome explainer!
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    Zipbsky wrote: »
    Can anybody explain the negative steps? Why do we get them? How can we prevent them?....I don’t understand.

    As far as I know, you don't get negative steps. If you set your activity level to say lightly active but don't take enough steps to actually be lightly active ( I think the # is 3000, but I'm not sure) then MFP changes that day's calories to reflect your activity level. The worst part is the adjustment happens at the end of the day so you may have already eaten those calories.

    I set my own calories to 1800. They gave me less but I’m just eating more. I can’t even remember what number they gave me.
  • leonadixon
    leonadixon Posts: 479 Member
    I use the Fitbit Alta HR. I love it!
  • shangrilamama
    shangrilamama Posts: 89 Member
    I have the Fitbit Charge 2 and I love it. I've had it for almost a year with no issues. Well that's not completely true. I somehow managed to crack the screen but I bought some screen protectors and it's still chugging along with the crack in it. :smile:
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    I have the Fitbit Charge 2 and I love it. I've had it for almost a year with no issues. Well that's not completely true. I somehow managed to crack the screen but I bought some screen protectors and it's still chugging along with the crack in it. :smile:

    If you’re within a year they should replace it for you.
  • gesundundmunter
    gesundundmunter Posts: 227 Member
    HR monitor watch is "Everlast."
  • kpush910
    kpush910 Posts: 28 Member
    I use the Fitbit charge 2. I wear it 24/7. I also set to sedentary, since I am not on my feet all day. Some days I have 4000 steps, others 10000. My preferred form of exercise is biking or spinning, and get most steps in on weekends when I go on a hike. I live in Chicago so the weather the past several weekends has not been conducive to being outside.
  • mabearof6
    mabearof6 Posts: 684 Member
    edited January 2018
    I have a Garmin Vivoactive HR....anyone on Garmin Connect can add me.....just changed my name on there to match here, mabearof6
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    mabearof6 wrote: »
    I have a Garmin Vivoactive HR....anyone on Garmin Connect can add me.

    NICE! You have the awesome one!!!! How do you like it? I switched from Fitbit to Garmin and I wanted to start off small so I have the Vivosmart HR and said somewhere down the line I may upgrade to the Vivoactive. I have only had mine for about 6 weeks or so but so far so good. What is your username of Garmin Connect?
  • mabearof6
    mabearof6 Posts: 684 Member
    I went through 3 different fitbits and had problems with them all, switched to a Samsung Gear which has amazing apps and the display/screen is amazeballs, but battery life and GPS were awful. Finally switched to my watch after my son and hubby kept telling me to just get a Garmin. My whole family wears Garmins, none of us have the same model either, lol. I love everything about it, except the looks. Its kind of manly. I want to switch to the new Vivoactive 3 in white just because it looks feminine.
  • colleenm487
    colleenm487 Posts: 45 Member
    Here’s my Fitbit link: https://www.fitbit.com/user/336X3T

    I always have mine on. It’s not 100% accurate but It’s much more accurate than logging the workout on MyFitnessPal.
    I like seeing the stats and making sure I’m not completely inactive on lazy days.
  • BeautyBMe
    BeautyBMe Posts: 33 Member
    I’ve had a Fitbit Charge 2 for a little over a year and love it. Feel free to add me as a friend via the link below.
    https://www.fitbit.com/user/522RR8
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    mabearof6 wrote: »
    I went through 3 different fitbits and had problems with them all, switched to a Samsung Gear which has amazing apps and the display/screen is amazeballs, but battery life and GPS were awful. Finally switched to my watch after my son and hubby kept telling me to just get a Garmin. My whole family wears Garmins, none of us have the same model either, lol. I love everything about it, except the looks. Its kind of manly. I want to switch to the new Vivoactive 3 in white just because it looks feminine.

    I checked that one out yesterday. Its pretty nice--the vivoactive 3. I know for sure I would the one you have though. The Fitbit Surge I had was big and bulky but I didn't mind.
  • KBurkhardt08
    KBurkhardt08 Posts: 141 Member
    BeautyBMe wrote: »
    I’ve had a Fitbit Charge 2 for a little over a year and love it. Feel free to add me as a friend via the link below.
    https://www.fitbit.com/user/522RR8

    How do you add people this way? I keep trying and have no idea! They only way I've been able to figure it out is by people's emails.
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    BeautyBMe wrote: »
    I’ve had a Fitbit Charge 2 for a little over a year and love it. Feel free to add me as a friend via the link below.
    https://www.fitbit.com/user/522RR8

    How do you add people this way? I keep trying and have no idea! They only way I've been able to figure it out is by people's emails.

    Once you are logged in you click on the button "add friend"
  • YAJ3507
    YAJ3507 Posts: 41 Member
    Here is my Fitbit link!

    https://www.fitbit.com/user/3QZTS9
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    Garmin users, any of you guys on Garmin Connect? I only got one person; I think I missed some of you.
  • mabearof6
    mabearof6 Posts: 684 Member
    mabearof6 on Garmin Connect (I think)
  • KBurkhardt08
    KBurkhardt08 Posts: 141 Member
    BeautyBMe wrote: »
    I’ve had a Fitbit Charge 2 for a little over a year and love it. Feel free to add me as a friend via the link below.
    https://www.fitbit.com/user/522RR8

    How do you add people this way? I keep trying and have no idea! They only way I've been able to figure it out is by people's emails.

    Once you are logged in you click on the button "add friend"

    Thank you! I was trying to do it on my phone at first and it was not working out. Got it figured out :smile:
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    BeautyBMe wrote: »
    I’ve had a Fitbit Charge 2 for a little over a year and love it. Feel free to add me as a friend via the link below.
    https://www.fitbit.com/user/522RR8

    How do you add people this way? I keep trying and have no idea! They only way I've been able to figure it out is by people's emails.

    Once you are logged in you click on the button "add friend"

    Thank you! I was trying to do it on my phone at first and it was not working out. Got it figured out :smile:

    You’re welcome
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    mabearof6 wrote: »
    mabearof6 on Garmin Connect (I think)

    Request sent. Thanks
  • SanDiegofitmom
    SanDiegofitmom Posts: 303 Member
    Anyone have a Fitbit Alta? I’ve been researching and want a monitor for HR as well as other functions.
  • LynnJ9
    LynnJ9 Posts: 414 Member
    Anyone have a Fitbit Alta? I’ve been researching and want a monitor for HR as well as other functions.

    I have the Alta HR and i love it
  • YAJ3507
    YAJ3507 Posts: 41 Member
    Anyone have a Fitbit Alta? I’ve been researching and want a monitor for HR as well as other functions.

    I have an Alta HR and really like it. I like using the Charge 2 for workouts, mostly because I can manually stop and start it using the button. But I wear the Alta every day. It's smaller and more discreet than the Charge.
  • Fatimahasnain
    Fatimahasnain Posts: 91 Member
    This post is giving me motivation to charge my Fitbit Alta watch.. from last 3 months I haven't used it.. hopefully today is my add.. thnx guys :)
  • SmithsonianEmpress
    SmithsonianEmpress Posts: 1,163 Member
    This post is giving me motivation to charge my Fitbit Alta watch.. from last 3 months I haven't used it.. hopefully today is my add.. thnx guys :)

    You should TOTALLY do it! And while you’re at it, request some of the ladies here to join you in a workweek hustle!
  • leonadixon
    leonadixon Posts: 479 Member
    This post is giving me motivation to charge my Fitbit Alta watch.. from last 3 months I haven't used it.. hopefully today is my add.. thnx guys :)

    You should TOTALLY do it! And while you’re at it, request some of the ladies here to join you in a workweek hustle!

    Me! I am totally foreign to finding friends in Fitbit. You should be able to find me by my email: leona.dixon8208@gmail.com
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