Fitbit calories?

jamuhlynn · November 2020

Hi,
I recently connected my fitbit to mfp. I have around 8k steps and I'm being given an extra 700+ calories for the day. I feel like that's pretty high, but maybe it's accurate...?

I tried looking for the calculations but I'm not understanding any of it. Anyone have resources that I can look at?

I am 5'2" and 190 lb. I put that I am not very active although I am probably more "lightly active."

Thanks in advance.

Lietchi · November 2020

If you know your stride length, you can calculate the distance you're covering with those 8k steps.

A formula often mentioned here for estimating calories burned by walking is:
Weight in lbs x distance in miles x 0.3

I agree that 700kcal sounds high.

sijomial · November 2020

jamuhlynn wrote: »

Hi,
I recently connected my fitbit to mfp. I have around 8k steps and I'm being given an extra 700+ calories for the day. I feel like that's pretty high, but maybe it's accurate...?

I tried looking for the calculations but I'm not understanding any of it. Anyone have resources that I can look at?

I am 5'2" and 190 lb. I put that I am not very active although I am probably more "lightly active."

Thanks in advance.

If you put a more accurate activity level into MyFitnessPal you would get a smaller adjustment - the actual number that your Fitbit estimates for your entire day would be the same.

Doing 8k steps but selecting "not very active" is the problem rather than the watch.

In the end you will have to trial your Fitbit's numbers for an extended period to judge its accuracy (in conjunction with your food logging accuracy).

yirara · November 2020

Fitbit, at least for iOS is broken in several aspects at the moment. I find that if I walk for say 5km it gives me crazy calorie burns. I'm not sure it's supposed to add calories from just walking, but it does. If you're unfit or have a higher than average heartrate you can at least at the moment expect crazy fake burns. I would disconnect it and only increase your activity level if you walk about 8000 steps each day.

nanastaci2020 · November 2020

I've used a Fitbit for almost 7 years and find its estimate of my daily calories burned to be fairly accurate for me. It is not the same for each user.

Fitbit estimates your total all day burn based on movement and your stats (age, weight, gender, height).

MFP estimates your total all day burned based on your stats and your stated activity level. And MFP assumes you will log exercise. Of course if you have the Fitbit connected, you don't need to log exercise.

Your Fitbit adjustment is the difference. You are aware that you put in sedentary to MFP but you are not. A sedentary person burns fewer calories per day than an active person. (Assuming all stats are the same.)

You have options. Change your activity level in MFP to the next one up, which will increase your base calories. Or eat a portion of your Fitbit adjustment.

Dogmom1978 · November 2020

I personally don’t link my Fitbit. I’ve been using one for over 5 years and don’t find the calorie burn to be accurate for me. I simply use it to track my steps, tell time, for my heart rate, and to see how long I was in bed.

Luke_rabbit · November 2020

I'm 5'3", 55 years old and 120 lbs.

I selected "not very active" (android app) ---aka "sedentary" (ios app and website, I believe) --- in MFP. I did so because my steps can vary from 3000 - 15,000 depending on my days activity.

For me, if my day is 8000-9000 steps, the final adjustment for the end of the day varies from 150 - 240 calories.

If I remember correctly, it was funky for the first week after linking. Also, if you work out early in the day, it will overestimate and drop the value all day.

Fitbit calories?

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