New Fitbit
stuarta99
Posts: 93 Member
Well it's not a new one it's my father-in-law's Flex 2 which I'm testing. I've hooked it up to the Fitbit app and connected that to MFP.
I have been using Pacer to track my steps but should I now swap this to Fitbit and does it do it accurately without adding unnecessary calories for steps that are already taken into account?
Will be testing it in the morning on a run, although I use Strava to sync those over.
I have been using Pacer to track my steps but should I now swap this to Fitbit and does it do it accurately without adding unnecessary calories for steps that are already taken into account?
Will be testing it in the morning on a run, although I use Strava to sync those over.
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Replies
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A linked Fitbit will only begin giving you adjustments after you've moved more than your activity level (the one you provided to MFP) would have indicated. So it doesn't give you any calories for steps that are already factored into your basic activity level.3
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If you linked accounts (do MFP meal totals show up in Fitbit?) then yes you should switch MFP app setting for Step Source to Fitbit.
No double counting, the linking is not even as you describe it.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10098937/faq-syncing-logging-food-exercise-calorie-adjustments-activity-levels-accuracy/p1
Accurate depends on how close you physically and in activity match the average user that is defaulted to.
And even then, tweaks can be made to improve the estimates.
And even then, there can be inaccuracies either direction. Or about right on!
Now, the Strava workout that comes to MFP, will be synced over to replace what Fitbit has in it's daily totals.
But the Activity Record will be there showing snapshot of original data, along with the Workout Record synced over, to at least compare calorie burn totals.
The last added replaces whatever is there in daily figures.1 -
Wow ok quick replies thank you. I just panicked because Fitbit app synced with MFP and I had like -253 calories as I had negative adjustments on so turned that back off and it shows 0.
So should I keep Strava syncing along with Fitbit?0 -
If you started using it midday - then today's Fitbit data will not be accurate. Fitbit pretty much assumes you are comatose during the hours before you connected it, so would only give you credit for BMR calories burned until that point.1
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Well in fairness I have been glued to my laptop working so did feel like it. So negative on or off?0
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Negative enabled.
You decide if you'll eat more based on fact it didn't see you until whatever time.2 -
I have negatives 'on'.
Keep in mind: the first week or two is a learning curve. For you & your device.
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Ok negative on. So far after waking it's showing 37 steps at -100. Just off out for a run so will see what it says when back home0
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Ok run done with Strava syncing
Is Fitbit still showing a negative because Strava has come across?
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You can tap and hold on that Adjustment line to see the math behind it.
But yes because workout is there. You are getting credit for it.
But....
If you selected Not Active on MFP activity level, it means outside of your run, you were less than that level by 187 calories so far.
From rear in chair or bed until midnight - MFP will keep the same rate of burn for the math which is obviously too high, tomorrow first sync Fitbit account will share the fact you were burning a sleeping rate of calories (not really it's actually more, so underestimated).
So if you last saw an eating goal at say 8pm and met it exactly, by the next morning you'd be in the red by maybe about 75 calories.
MFP is estimating BMR level burn x 1.25 for Not Active/Sedentary every hour of the day.
Fitbit will show the next morning only the BMR level for the 4 hrs.
Which is a difference, usually minor unless really early to bed, and higher activity level selected.
Also means if 6 am was first sync, MFP was estimating higher for 6 hrs, Fitbit synced lower - you start the day with negative adjustment.2 -
ok call me stupid but I find the adjustment bit confusing. It's showing
Fitbit calories burned = 1988
Full day projection based on 712 calories burned as of 7.43am
MyFitnessPal Calories Burned = 2175
Includes 293 calories from exercise
Adjustment -187
My activity level is set to 'Not very active'. So are we saying that during the day this figure could alter despite me sat down working? And should I still keep Strava syncing alongside Fitibit and eat the figures it shows even taking into account the negative so possibly less than my 1500?
I have lost a total of 7lb in the couple of months that I've been doing this, but seem to have stagnated the last couple of weeks. Admittedaly I don't really need to lose any as I'm bang in the middle of my BMI so I thought maybe that might be why I'm not losing but maybe it's because I'm not taking these negatives into account. Although I was obviously doing something right at the start.
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I see the number has dropped to -124 but then the steps have also increased to 4501, so not sure if it's a time thing or just that my steps have gone up0
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ok completely confused now, steps gone up to 4639 but adjustment gone down to -1460
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Steps is a figure like glasses of water - display only and no math done with it by MFP.
Reread the 2nd page of the FAQ.
Fitbit for daily activity estimates calorie burn at BMR rate if no movement seen. Otherwise it's by distance, time, and weight moved - very accurate.
MFP is estimating BMR x 1.25 for ALL time during the day.
There will be constant adjustments as obviously that rate is not correct when sleeping & sitting.
Yes to Strava if you trust it's calorie burn over the Fitbit.
Yes to eating to goal.
No as male it won't go under 1500 total.0 -
MFP expects your day to burn 1882, before exercise. Because Strava recorded 293, MFP now expects you to burn 2175 for today.
MFP is getting data from Fitbit, when combined with what MFP expects for the day, to now say you're going to burn a total of 1988. 1988 - 2175 = -187
My way of thinking about it: I look to Fitbit for my calorie burn #s but I'm also not doing anything major, or using other devices to track burn.ok call me stupid but I find the adjustment bit confusing. It's showing
Fitbit calories burned = 1988
Full day projection based on 712 calories burned as of 7.43am
MyFitnessPal Calories Burned = 2175
Includes 293 calories from exercise
Adjustment -187
My activity level is set to 'Not very active'. So are we saying that during the day this figure could alter despite me sat down working? And should I still keep Strava syncing alongside Fitibit and eat the figures it shows even taking into account the negative so possibly less than my 1500?
I have lost a total of 7lb in the couple of months that I've been doing this, but seem to have stagnated the last couple of weeks. Admittedaly I don't really need to lose any as I'm bang in the middle of my BMI so I thought maybe that might be why I'm not losing but maybe it's because I'm not taking these negatives into account. Although I was obviously doing something right at the start.
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As you move, Fitbit gives you more 'credit' for calories burned. So the continued movement reflected in Fitbit will drive the negative adjustment down as the day goes on.
It can get terribly confusing if trying to use multiple devices/methods to calculate calorie burn for the day. If it proves too much, and you want to keep using Strava: you can always disconnect Fitbit from MFP and just use the Fitbit to monitor your total movement/step level. Or disconnect Strava from MFP?0 -
Strava is only doing workouts though, not daily calorie burn.
The effect obtained is like using a Garmin.
Daily calorie burn and workouts both on MFP.
The adjustments being seen would happen even if no Strava had been brought over.0 -
ok thanks, I'll keep it as is for a couple of days and see what happens especially on a day when I don't go for a run although sounds like I would still have what's now -156 whether Strava was connected or not.
I can see that the 1988 from Fitbit is obviously a projected based on what I've done today and is now at 2019 but I'm not going to keep that pace up so it will be sorely disappointed later when I don't hit 2019. Therefore 2019 from what Fitbit thinks I will do to 2175 from MFP from my 1882 plus what Strava added in = -156
So on that basis, if I hadn't done my run, MFP would have been 1882 and fitbit projected at maybe my average of 1517 so would be 1517-1882 so I'd be -365?0 -
Here is my long winded explanation of Fitbit & MFP and how they work together.
MFP expects you to burn 1882 daily. Which works out to about 78 cals per hour.
Based on that I'll assume your BMR is 1505 per day, or roughly 63 cals per hour.
Fitbit uses the same BMR, and if you're not actively moving Fitbit gives you credit for burning at this rate.
Let's say you wake up at 6am and sync. MFP expects you to be at 78 x 6 or 468. But Fitbit says you are at 378, so -90 adjustment.
Over the next few hours, you do some normal daily stuff. And you go for a run. At 9am Fitbit NOW shows you have burned 815 calories as of 9am. They do the math again. MFP expected 78 x 9 = 702. Fitbit says 815 total, so 815-702 = 113 adjustment.
Each time you sync, the #s are compared. One mental note to make: at some point you are going to be 'done' for the day. If you are pretty inactive after 6pm or 8 pm or 10 pm, you'll have 6, 4, 2 hours at night where Fitbit does little more than register BMR. If at 8pm you show an adjustment for today of +150, you should expect that to decrease as the night continues on. In your case, about 17 per hour since 78-63 = 15. So mentally ignore about 15 cals per hour remaining in the day after your last sync.
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How this changes with logging extra activity in MFP, as you've somewhat seen, is that increases the # that MFP projects for you. With a 293 logged exercise MFP expects you to hit 2175 instead of 1882. So then each time you Sync, MFP is comparing your Fitbit # to 2175 rather than 1882.
I assume you were wearing the Fitbit during the run, and I'm guessing it rewarded a slighly lower # of calories burned than the Strava. Erring on the side of caution and using lower #s: you may ultimately find you don't need both systems to link to MFP. Though Strava may provide you additional comparison tools.0 -
Fitbit only passes on a daily calorie burn figure and time stamp - that's it, to do math with.
MFP does everything else from there.
Your MFP estimated daily burn doesn't change until stats change like weight lowers.
Your MFP projected for new day at midnight would match that.
Things change as Fitbit sends new daily burn figures.0 -
Hopefully my long winded scenario will help.
Keep in mind you'll never JUST burn 1505 (or 1517, my # was rounded down). BMR calories assume no movement, that your body is just working all its normal functions. Heart, lungs, brain and all your major systems doing their jobs. That is what burns ~1500 cals per day for you. Then as you move thru your day: physically transporting your body around - you burn more. This is estimated by MFP at about 25% of bmr for sedentary settings. The more you're on your feet and/or moving, the more you burn. So a person with an active job burns more on average than someone of the same height/weight/age/gender who sits all day.
The adjustment would not be as low as you suggest because MFP is still projecting that you'll move the rest of the day. The only way your adjustment would be that low is if you forgot the Fitbit, and synced fairly late in the day. Fitbit would report JUST your bmr in that scenario. But you did move, you did burn more, so in the event of a forgotten Fitbit I personally would make a note on my diary and perhaps a manual entry for 300-400 cals burned to estimate for daily activity.ok thanks, I'll keep it as is for a couple of days and see what happens especially on a day when I don't go for a run although sounds like I would still have what's now -156 whether Strava was connected or not.
I can see that the 1988 from Fitbit is obviously a projected based on what I've done today and is now at 2019 but I'm not going to keep that pace up so it will be sorely disappointed later when I don't hit 2019. Therefore 2019 from what Fitbit thinks I will do to 2175 from MFP from my 1882 plus what Strava added in = -156
So on that basis, if I hadn't done my run, MFP would have been 1882 and fitbit projected at maybe my average of 1517 so would be 1517-1882 so I'd be -365?
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Very basic bottom line: doing nothing at all, you will burn 63 cals per hour. Most hours you will do more than nothing, and thus burn more than 63 cals in the hour.0
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ok thanks, my BMR is 1505 according to MFP. If I put my goals at maintain it reports 1890 cal so can I assume that's effectively my RMR and 1882 is coming from the 1505 X a figure related to sedentary.
So with a quick back to basics and without going out on a tangent, I need to be below the 1890 to lose. I've also accepted @nanamerriman20200 -
RMR is just a tad above BMR.
BMR as if sleeping.
RMR as if awake.
Both nothing else.
MFP is estimating a daily burn including: some movement, calories burned eating food, BMR. That's 1890.
Not RMR.
Not exercise included.
Eat to your stated adjusted goal.
MFP's math keeps the desired deficit no matter the adjustment, unless that would cause going below 1500 male, 1200 female.
BMR 1505 x 1.25 = 1881
Throw in some rounding errors, or fact you may have logged some weight lost already, makes the 1890 from earlier weight.
You need to be below what you burn daily - all included. Which on exercise days will be more than 1890 or 1881 all included.
Which if you do a big workout, you could be eating above 1890 and still have a deficit.
MFP is trying to teach life lesson regarding weight management.
You do less, you eat less.
You do more, you eat more.
tad less in either case in a diet to lose fat.
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