Fitbit users - calorie count.
sorchaedwards1991
Posts: 19 Member
Hi to any Fitbit users.
I got mine for Christmas and love it....however i'm concerned that it over estimates calories burned. I've placed my activity as sedentary on MFP and let the Fitbit add any additional calories burned. Surely placing your activity as sedentary, MFP still counts for steps you take in a day? Do people find it is usually correct and are still losing weight when using the Fitbit calorie count?
I'd be interested to find people with open diaries that have a Fitbit so I can see for myself. Can someone tell me how to open my diary too please?
Thanks
I got mine for Christmas and love it....however i'm concerned that it over estimates calories burned. I've placed my activity as sedentary on MFP and let the Fitbit add any additional calories burned. Surely placing your activity as sedentary, MFP still counts for steps you take in a day? Do people find it is usually correct and are still losing weight when using the Fitbit calorie count?
I'd be interested to find people with open diaries that have a Fitbit so I can see for myself. Can someone tell me how to open my diary too please?
Thanks
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Replies
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I had a fitbit one for a long time and thought it was pretty accurate. I lost weight almost exactly as projected using its calorie estimates and logging as accurately as I could through MFP.
Of note, the one was step based only. My experience with a 24/7 hrm model resulted in much higher calorie estimates, some of the reviews I read it seems others experienced this too. This was a few months ago at this point, so I am not sure if they have improved it or not since then.1 -
I just got one also. DO NOT eat 100% of the calorie adjustments. If I ate 100% of the Fitbit adjustment I would be 500 calories over my goal and would not lose any weight and maybe even gain slowly. Fitbit estimate is even HIGHER than the gym elliptical which is known to overestimate. Insanity.
I eat 40-50% of the adjustment.5 -
I agree with the FitBit overestimating calories unfortunately. I would only recommend eating back 50% of the extra calories that FitBit allots over what MFP recommends - so if your base is 1500 and FitBit gives you 300 extra, eat 1650.
I recommend downloading a trend weight app like Libra (android) or Happy Scale (apple) to track your progress. After 4 weeks of tracking, you should be able to assess whether your approach with leveraging the FitBit is too aggressive, on target or too many calories.
From a personal perspective, I usually hit about 17,300 calories burned by the end of any given week - that’s 2,471 calories per day if I wanted to maintain. I find that Maintenance (sadly) is more like 1,750 calories a day which is a pretty crazy gap from an accuracy perspective... but I learned from the data and applied my own calculations over time.
For what it’s worth, Scooby’s calculator puts my TDEE at 1,750, so perhaps try using an outside resource to help determine how you want to approach the FitBit data. Knowing what Scooby’s put my TDEE at helped me from the start when assessing my game plan because I knew from day 1 that the FitBit was overestimating.
Good luck!1 -
While verifying your data with trendweight (connected to Fitbit) makes absolute sense, deciding a priori not to trust a device that is based on averages.. will, on average, be wrong.
Sedentary on mfp is an activity factor of BMR*1.25 and includes activity equal to about 35 minutes or 3500 steps. Anything else is NOT included in that setting. Which is SEDENTARY! Bed, bathroom, computer, drive though, couch, rince and repeat.
Assuming meticulous food logging and step based activities most Fitbit Adjustments I've looked at fall at a sub 10% of TDEE error (with the majority in the 3% to 6% range)
Trust, and verify based on actual trend results over time which you then compare to expected results based on perceived deficit.4 -
For what it’s worth, Scooby’s calculator puts my TDEE at 1,750, so perhaps try using an outside resource to help determine how you want to approach the FitBit data. Knowing what Scooby’s put my TDEE at helped me from the start when assessing my game plan because I knew from day 1 that the FitBit was overestimating.
Good luck!
+1 for scooby, also found it super helpful.
link if needed:
http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/2 -
Thanks everyone - starting to wonder why I even bought a Fitbit now!3
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There is a Fitbit group on here which is really helpful.0
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I recently linked my fitbit with MFP, I have worn one for years but decided to link it to try it out. I listed to activity on MFP as sedentary (desk job) but I do get my 10,000 steps everyday. My fitbit adds on 450-500 extra calories for me everyday, just for getting the 10,000 and even more if I get more steps. Only 30-60 minutes of those steps are purposeful exercise so I find that to be kind of a ridiculous adjustment. I am considering unlinking it and just going back to adding exercise calories in manually.2
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Have you changed your settings here to 'enable negative adjustments'?
If anyone is set to sedentary that allows for around 5000 steps in the day already, so when you sync your fitbit and you have more than that, you will see calories added. It doesn't matter if steps are purposeful or not, you will still get an adjustment for them.3 -
RunRutheeRun wrote: »Have you changed your settings here to 'enable negative adjustments'?
I did not know you could do that? Please tell me more!0 -
@Fitnessgirl0913 Go into 'food and exercise diary settings' scroll down near bottom of page and check box for 'enable negative adjustments'. When both apps are syncs this sorts everything beautifully
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@RunRutheeRun apparently I did that already... hmm Should I perhaps switch my activity level on MFP to lightly active? I am afraid if I do that though I will overeat with the calories they give me.0
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Fitnessgirl0913 wrote: »@RunRutheeRun apparently I did that already... hmm Should I perhaps switch my activity level on MFP to lightly active? I am afraid if I do that though I will overeat with the calories they give me.
That's what I did, I preferred not seeing higher adjustments than necessary.0 -
You can trust the apps, both MFP and Fitbit should give you similar number burned by the end of the day. That way you know no double counting is happening. Also if you're new to Fitbit, the calorie burn can be off for a few weeks until it gets used to your movements.
You'll know best by your rate of loss over the next 4 weeks if Fitbit is overestimating. It was never far away for me but I know that's not always the case.1 -
RunRutheeRun wrote: »Fitnessgirl0913 wrote: »@RunRutheeRun apparently I did that already... hmm Should I perhaps switch my activity level on MFP to lightly active? I am afraid if I do that though I will overeat with the calories they give me.
That's what I did, I preferred not seeing higher adjustments than necessary.
I think I will give that a shot and see how it works out. I am still trying to figure my "sweet spot" for maintenance so this could be a useful way to find that. Thanks!1 -
Oh @Fitnessgirl0913 I didn't realise you were maintaining - so in the next 4 weeks you'll know by how your weight is doing if you are staying the same or losing etc.0
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I had a Charge HR for months and it was very accurate. I got a new Alta HR and it way over estimates my calorie burn and my step count. I switched back to the Charge HR and it was way over estimating calorie burn ( not sure about steps). I'm starting to wonder if there isn't an update issue somewhere.
I'm thinking of switching to a Garmin like my husband. He doesn't seem to have these problems, but I feel like I wasted $130 on a rather unattractive watch.1 -
Fitnessgirl0913 wrote: »@RunRutheeRun apparently I did that already... hmm Should I perhaps switch my activity level on MFP to lightly active? I am afraid if I do that though I will overeat with the calories they give me.
I've seen lots and lots of threads like these from new users and it often stems from not understanding how activity trackers work in conjunction with MFP, underestimating how active we really are, and just a skepticism that it's possible to eat more and lose weight.
First - some questions...
How many steps per day do you average? What percent of that is from your day to day activity vs purposeful exercise? What does FitBit say your total calories burned are, and what is your MFP calorie goal? What are your goals - to lose weight? How much and at what rate of loss?
To answer your original question I've used a FitBit with MFP for over 4 years now. I ate back every calorie adjustment it gave me and lost weight at the rate I wanted and am now maintaining. It is very accurate for me, even though as a 5'2 female over 40, having a TDEE of 2200 is not what most calculators would predict but my results here bear it out.6 -
RunRutheeRun wrote: »Oh @Fitnessgirl0913 I didn't realise you were maintaining - so in the next 4 weeks you'll know by how your weight is doing if you are staying the same or losing etc.
I have been considering trying to drop 5 "vanity" pounds which I know will be slow so I want to start once I am mentally ready to be back in a deficit. For fun I plugged .5 pounds a week loss at lightly active and it gave me 1660 calories which I fell is kind of high, especially if I add back in even a portion of fitbit adjustment calories. I don't even have a HR monitor on my fitbit so the adjustment they give me seems outrageous.0 -
Fitnessgirl0913 wrote: »RunRutheeRun wrote: »Oh @Fitnessgirl0913 I didn't realise you were maintaining - so in the next 4 weeks you'll know by how your weight is doing if you are staying the same or losing etc.
I have been considering trying to drop 5 "vanity" pounds which I know will be slow so I want to start once I am mentally ready to be back in a deficit. For fun I plugged .5 pounds a week loss at lightly active and it gave me 1660 calories which I fell is kind of high, especially if I add back in even a portion of fitbit adjustment calories. I don't even have a HR monitor on my fitbit so the adjustment they give me seems outrageous.
I don't know your height/weight but for me at 5ft 2/ 48yrs and 126lbs I maintain on 1950-2000 cals. I'm lightly active.2 -
I am 5'5" 26 and ~140, wanting to get down to 135 eventually. My maintenance is somewhere between 1800-1900, still trying to figure it out. But I find I am more consistent with loss when I eat around 1500 (give or take) plus half of my exercise calories, so I thinking to keep myself on sedentary and only eat about 200-250 of my fitbit adjustment calories. The adjustment is just a bit irritating haha.1
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Fitnessgirl0913 wrote: »I am 5'5" 26 and ~140, wanting to get down to 135 eventually. My maintenance is somewhere between 1800-1900, still trying to figure it out. But I find I am more consistent with loss when I eat around 1500 (give or take) plus half of my exercise calories, so I thinking to keep myself on sedentary and only eat about 200-250 of my fitbit adjustment calories. The adjustment is just a bit irritating haha.
If you don't like seeing the adjustment un-sync both apps - I know a lot of people who do just that.
So you're talking 1750 cals, that sounds good to me. You'll know in a few weeks if you can adjust your calories up again.0 -
RunRutheeRun wrote: »@Fitnessgirl0913 Go into 'food and exercise diary settings' scroll down near bottom of page and check box for 'enable negative adjustments'. When both apps are syncs this sorts everything beautifully
I cant see this setting anywhere on MFP..can you be a little more specific on where to find this as I think this will help. Thank you1 -
RunRutheeRun wrote: »Fitnessgirl0913 wrote: »I am 5'5" 26 and ~140, wanting to get down to 135 eventually. My maintenance is somewhere between 1800-1900, still trying to figure it out. But I find I am more consistent with loss when I eat around 1500 (give or take) plus half of my exercise calories, so I thinking to keep myself on sedentary and only eat about 200-250 of my fitbit adjustment calories. The adjustment is just a bit irritating haha.
If you don't like seeing the adjustment un-sync both apps - I know a lot of people who do just that.
So you're talking 1750 cals, that sounds good to me. You'll know in a few weeks if you can adjust your calories up again.
Yeah I think I will try a couple weeks with only eating half the adjustment while in a deficit and see where I end up and then decide if I want to unlink them. Thanks for all your help I appreciate it!1 -
sorchaedwards1991 wrote: »RunRutheeRun wrote: »@Fitnessgirl0913 Go into 'food and exercise diary settings' scroll down near bottom of page and check box for 'enable negative adjustments'. When both apps are syncs this sorts everything beautifully
I cant see this setting anywhere on MFP..can you be a little more specific on where to find this as I think this will help. Thank you
Its on the main MFP website when you sign in there under the instructions I gave above. I've just checked the mobile app and am not seeing that it can be done from there.0 -
Fitnessgirl0913 wrote: »RunRutheeRun wrote: »Fitnessgirl0913 wrote: »I am 5'5" 26 and ~140, wanting to get down to 135 eventually. My maintenance is somewhere between 1800-1900, still trying to figure it out. But I find I am more consistent with loss when I eat around 1500 (give or take) plus half of my exercise calories, so I thinking to keep myself on sedentary and only eat about 200-250 of my fitbit adjustment calories. The adjustment is just a bit irritating haha.
If you don't like seeing the adjustment un-sync both apps - I know a lot of people who do just that.
So you're talking 1750 cals, that sounds good to me. You'll know in a few weeks if you can adjust your calories up again.
Yeah I think I will try a couple weeks with only eating half the adjustment while in a deficit and see where I end up and then decide if I want to unlink them. Thanks for all your help I appreciate it!
You're welcome always glad to help. 1 -
I have the Fitbit Blaze. My daily calories burned averages VERY closely to my TDEE estimate. I generally complete 20,000-30,000 steps each day. A percentage of them (~12000t to15000 steps) are usually done in a treadmill workout in the morning. I find that when my workouts are longer and more intense, my Fitbit estimate is a little higher than my calculated TDEE estimate. When my steps are all of "non-workout" intensity, my Fitbit estimate can be several hundred calories lower than my TDEE estimate.
I have only had it since Christmas, so I cannot yet comment on whether it accurately predicts my weight result. However, considering the information above and my own historical data, I am pretty confident it is going to be close.2 -
I actually find my FitBit to be fairly accurate. I can understand the hesitation to trust it. I got mine almost a year ago and had been set to sedentary on MFP because I do work a desk job. Come to find out just my "sedentary desk job" got me enough steps to be moved to lightly active and add on top of that taking my dog for a walk after work at night (which I don't consider purposeful exercise, just another task to be done) and I easily can hit very active.
It took trial and error and meticulously tracking my intake and weight over a set period of time to realize that for me fitbit is quite active. In the winter I change MFP to sedentary since I'm unable to get out most days and walk around like I usually would and in the summer I change it to a higher setting. The number works for me and if anything even FitBit is a bit low at estimating. According to projections from my Fitbit I would maintain around 2200 however, like I said meticulous tracking of my weight and intake on a spreadsheet show closer to 2350 for completely sedentary and much higher when I'm more active.3 -
I don't use any of my calories burned from my Fitbit.
It seem very close to my steps, since everyday I am doing pretty same thing, and it's close to same0 -
I actually find my FitBit to be fairly accurate. I can understand the hesitation to trust it. I got mine almost a year ago and had been set to sedentary on MFP because I do work a desk job. Come to find out just my "sedentary desk job" got me enough steps to be moved to lightly active and add on top of that taking my dog for a walk after work at night (which I don't consider purposeful exercise, just another task to be done) and I easily can hit very active.
It took trial and error and meticulously tracking my intake and weight over a set period of time to realize that for me fitbit is quite active. In the winter I change MFP to sedentary since I'm unable to get out most days and walk around like I usually would and in the summer I change it to a higher setting. The number works for me and if anything even FitBit is a bit low at estimating. According to projections from my Fitbit I would maintain around 2200 however, like I said meticulous tracking of my weight and intake on a spreadsheet show closer to 2350 for completely sedentary and much higher when I'm more active.
This is almost exactly me. I was set at Sedentary on MFP because of my desk job, and when I got my FitBit and started seeing large exercise adjustments, I too questioned the accuracy of the tool. But I got the good advice on here that averaging 8-10k steps a day (at the time) wasn't Sedentary, it was lightly active. And when I changed my activity level accordingly, my base cals went up and my adjustments got smaller, bit it was more representative of my actual exercise, which I liked. In spring /summer I average 14-16k steps a day, but this winter I've been struggling to hit 12k steps. It's fine, my cal adjustments are smaller and with negative adjustments enabled I know that even if I'm ill, or on a long road trip, then the systems will keep my calories in check.
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