Do you have a BMF/similar? I need your help!

I can't afford a BMF/fitbit/bodybugg right now. So I want to ask those of you who have one a quick favour (it will take less than a minute).

Could you go to this website:
http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced
And fill in the dials, and then tell me how it corresponds with your BMF type device's TDEE?

I ask because that site gives me 2250 cals on a rest day, often nearer 3000 on a workout day. I'm 5'1 and 107lbs - it seems a lot! If the site is accurate for the rest of you then I'll go with it, if not I'll start saving up.

Thanks so much in advance :)
Mili
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Replies

  • maltipink
    maltipink Posts: 147 Member
    I can't afford a BMF/fitbit/bodybugg right now. So I want to ask those of you who have one a quick favour (it will take less than a minute).

    Could you go to this website:
    http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced
    And fill in the dials, and then tell me how it corresponds with your BMF type device's TDEE?

    I ask because that site gives me 2250 cals on a rest day, often nearer 3000 on a workout day. I'm 5'1 and 107lbs - it seems a lot! If the site is accurate for the rest of you then I'll go with it, if not I'll start saving up.

    Thanks so much in advance :)
    Mili


    I have a body mediafit and on a rest day, I clock in at 2016calories. The website calculator you provided me with a value of 2169. I really enjoy the data the BMF provides me with but I have gained weight since I have owned it. The reason I think is two fold.. 1) I have started doing a lot of exercise and 2) I have upped my calories significantly so that I am at TDEE-15%. My body is not used to eating this much so it is having a little bit of a hissy fit right now. I am trying to stay patient and positive. I should also mention that although I have gained weight, I have not noticed an increase in inches. good luck!
  • maltipink
    maltipink Posts: 147 Member
    oooopppssss.. I just realixed I did not "dial in" my sleeping. When I do that, I get a burn almost spot on with what BMF gives me
  • emgel9
    emgel9 Posts: 218 Member
    Hey, I have a BMF and generally I burn about 2500-2600 cals/day. I used that calculator you requested and, once I adjusted my elliptical training and/or jogging (that I do for 1 hour each day) to moderate exercise instead of "intense" It came out pretty accurate! It said my BMR was 1412 and my TDEE was 2545! just look closely at what it calls "intense exercise" but it seems pretty accurate to me!
  • maltipink
    maltipink Posts: 147 Member
    The other thing that BMF calculates is vigorous(intense) versus moderate activity. What I thought was vigorous really wasn't. The only thing that really gets me to vigorous is if I am running with it on. From the looks of the calculator thing, BMF estimates my burn overall a little less.
  • maltipink
    maltipink Posts: 147 Member
    Hey, I have a BMF and generally I burn about 2500-2600 cals/day. I used that calculator you requested and, once I adjusted my elliptical training and/or jogging (that I do for 1 hour each day) to moderate exercise instead of "intense" It came out pretty accurate! It said my BMR was 1412 and my TDEE was 2545! just look closely at what it calls "intense exercise" but it seems pretty accurate to me!

    Have you lost weight using the numbers BMF gives you?
  • emgel9
    emgel9 Posts: 218 Member
    I just got my BMF about 2 weeks ago and one of those weeks was not the best eating wise. I hit a plateau about 2 weeks before getting the BMF and am still working through it, I am also not weighing myself for the month of June. BUT I love the BMF, I love the info and data feeback and it DEF makes me walk more! Also, based on my BMF numbers I haven't been eating enough at all. I will check back in at the end of June with my weight loss. The BMF numbers make sense to me (MFP wasn't getting an accurate picture of calories burned because I never entered my walking, and I walk my dog about 2 miles every evening) so I am feeling good and sticking with it.

    Since I don't have much weight left to lose it isn't falling off that quickly. did this help at all?
  • maltipink
    maltipink Posts: 147 Member
    I just got my BMF about 2 weeks ago and one of those weeks was not the best eating wise. I hit a plateau about 2 weeks before getting the BMF and am still working through it, I am also not weighing myself for the month of June. BUT I love the BMF, I love the info and data feeback and it DEF makes me walk more! Also, based on my BMF numbers I haven't been eating enough at all. I will check back in at the end of June with my weight loss. The BMF numbers make sense to me (MFP wasn't getting an accurate picture of calories burned because I never entered my walking, and I walk my dog about 2 miles every evening) so I am feeling good and sticking with it.

    Since I don't have much weight left to lose it isn't falling off that quickly. did this help at all?

    Yes! I have actually gained since I got it (about a month ago). I think that is due to the fact that I started working out and started eating way more (TDEE-15%). I am begning to wonder if I need to do a full reset.
  • maltipink
    maltipink Posts: 147 Member
    I can't afford a BMF/fitbit/bodybugg right now. So I want to ask those of you who have one a quick favour (it will take less than a minute).

    Could you go to this website:
    http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced
    And fill in the dials, and then tell me how it corresponds with your BMF type device's TDEE?

    I ask because that site gives me 2250 cals on a rest day, often nearer 3000 on a workout day. I'm 5'1 and 107lbs - it seems a lot! If the site is accurate for the rest of you then I'll go with it, if not I'll start saving up.

    Thanks so much in advance :)
    Mili


    Sorry...did not mean to Hijack your thread!!!
  • emgel9
    emgel9 Posts: 218 Member
    I actually haven't changed the amount I eat since getting the BMF (I was on about 1800/day but I flex between 1800 and 2000) so while I know I am eating a little low now that I know my true TDEE I haven't bumped up my calorie intake - hence the plateau (and not gaining yet that I know of). I never did a vlcd so I haven't really considered a full reset.

    To the original poster: that online calculator seems very accurate! try following it for a few weeks and see how you feel!
  • maltipink
    maltipink Posts: 147 Member
    I agree, the calculator looks really good. Just remember, err on the side of caution when you are choosing something as intense activity, it is most likely not. For example, I can have a hardcore sweat going on while using the elliptical for 50 minutes. My BMF records all but ten minutes as "moderate" activity. However, if I go for a run outside for 35 minutes, the BMF will give me 30 minutes of vigorous activity.
  • emgel9
    emgel9 Posts: 218 Member
    I have found that if I put my BMF on my left calf when I use the elliptical I get a MUCH more accurate read and it counts it as "vigorous" activity, have you tried this? When I first used the BMF on the elliptical on my arm it didn't think I was doing much...
  • maltipink
    maltipink Posts: 147 Member
    I have found that if I put my BMF on my left calf when I use the elliptical I get a MUCH more accurate read and it counts it as "vigorous" activity, have you tried this? When I first used the BMF on the elliptical on my arm it didn't think I was doing much...


    I read that too so I have been wearing it on my calf. It does record the entire activity but hardly ever gets into vogourous. Maybe I am just not working hard enough lol
  • Zylayna
    Zylayna Posts: 728 Member
    I have found that if I put my BMF on my left calf when I use the elliptical I get a MUCH more accurate read and it counts it as "vigorous" activity, have you tried this? When I first used the BMF on the elliptical on my arm it didn't think I was doing much...


    I read that too so I have been wearing it on my calf. It does record the entire activity but hardly ever gets into vogourous. Maybe I am just not working hard enough lol

    Not sure if I'm just a super walker or what, but I have found that I can get mine into vigorous range walking my dog at a very fast pace. I don't run...just walk very fast. And yet, other things I think are vigorous don't show up as such. I sure wish I understood the science behind it all, but it obviously takes a lot of factors into account when it's reading your workout.

    I also agree that putting it on your calf for activities such as biking, is important in order to get a good reading.
  • maltipink
    maltipink Posts: 147 Member
    I have found that if I put my BMF on my left calf when I use the elliptical I get a MUCH more accurate read and it counts it as "vigorous" activity, have you tried this? When I first used the BMF on the elliptical on my arm it didn't think I was doing much...


    I read that too so I have been wearing it on my calf. It does record the entire activity but hardly ever gets into vogourous. Maybe I am just not working hard enough lol

    Not sure if I'm just a super walker or what, but I have found that I can get mine into vigorous range walking my dog at a very fast pace. I don't run...just walk very fast. And yet, other things I think are vigorous don't show up as such. I sure wish I understood the science behind it all, but it obviously takes a lot of factors into account when it's reading your workout.

    I also agree that putting it on your calf for activities such as biking, is important in order to get a good reading.


    Have you been able to trust your numbers for weight loss?
  • findingmyhappyplace
    findingmyhappyplace Posts: 75 Member
    Please keep any answers to the original question coming. I would love to have as many replies as possible since I am basing my calorie intake purely off the response I get on this thread!
  • It seems pretty accurate to me.
  • wonderkitten711
    wonderkitten711 Posts: 109 Member
    Mine is WAY off. Like, overestimating my BMR by about 300 calories, and giving me a TDEE about a thousand calories higher than my BMF gives me for an average day o.O

    Actual numbers
    BMR: 2053
    Average TDEE from BMF: 3100 or so

    The linked website gives me
    BMR: 2339
    TDEE: 4097

    So I guess...your mileage may vary?
  • wonderkitten711
    wonderkitten711 Posts: 109 Member
    I should add, my BMF gives me numbers that almost EXACTLY match what the scooby calculator says my TDEE should be, so I think Scooby might be more accurate than the one you're using; at least it really is for me >.>
  • rebekahgo
    rebekahgo Posts: 235 Member
    that is pretty dang cool.

    the dial tdee came out about 85 less than my average tdee for my first week with my bmf. the dial put my bmr a little low though, so taking that into account, the tdee values are about the same.

    this is cool. i was totally not believing my bmf numbers.
  • findingmyhappyplace
    findingmyhappyplace Posts: 75 Member
    Wow, I guess I may have saved myself a LOT of money. But how is it possible that someone as small as me can burn 2200 cals on a rest day?
  • mturgeon05
    mturgeon05 Posts: 204
    According to my Fitbit, on an average day I burn about 1800 calories. The calculator gave me a TDEE of 1846, so I would say it is pretty close. Good luck!
  • nyspotlight
    nyspotlight Posts: 124
    The nice thing about a BMF is that you can get an average. I'd have to gauge this calculator based on every day (and it's a guess) and then average. I tried to do it and it came out WAY high for me. Said my BMR was 1800 (it's more like 1550), burn was 3,000+.

    And I didn't even say ANY vigorous activity.

    Scooby seems petty accurate, maybe a little under, but I have an extra snack every now and then.

    Have had my BMF for a week and it turns out I'm burning way more on weight lifting days - increased metabolism. But not a huge difference.
  • When I first joined this group I asked about the different calculators and was told that this one usually estimates high and that Scooby seemed to be more accurate :smile:
  • findingmyhappyplace
    findingmyhappyplace Posts: 75 Member
    Problem with scoobie for me is that it doesn't account for my lifestyle outside of exercise. I am a classical violinist which means I am doing a fairly physical activity for a good few hours each day. I also do a lot of cycling and walking just to get around - I wouldn't call it strenuous exercise but it adds up very significantly over a week (I can easily clock 3 hours cycling and the same again of brisk walking during a normal week).
  • Problem with scoobie for me is that it doesn't account for my lifestyle outside of exercise.

    From everything I've seen you are suppose to base your activity level on exercise above your typical daily routine......So I think of it as intentional exercise, that's what I count. Not my daily walk to and from the bus stop etc.
  • findingmyhappyplace
    findingmyhappyplace Posts: 75 Member
    Problem with scoobie for me is that it doesn't account for my lifestyle outside of exercise.

    From everything I've seen you are suppose to base your activity level on exercise above your typical daily routine......So I think of it as intentional exercise, that's what I count. Not my daily walk to and from the bus stop etc.
    When I do that it gives me 1800 cals, and I know that I lose weight on 2000. Sooooo back to square one on that one! It seems flawed to assume that everyone has a similar level of basic daily activity. On an average day I will cycle for 30 minutes, walk briskly for maybe an hour, practice violin for 3-5 hours (standing) - none of those things would be assumed by the scoobie calculator and yet combined, over the course of a week, that is a significant calorie burn.

    Any further replies on that website's accuracy would be great. I'm just so desperate not to over or under eat. Otherwise this whole reset is a bit of a waste of time :(
  • crystalwelshroberts
    crystalwelshroberts Posts: 147 Member
    I was in the exact same spot as you, I didn't believe all the calculators since they were so different. I bought the BMF and it turns out scooby is the closest, and the calculator you asked about was high.

    I have had my BMF for a month and have not lost pounds but have lost inches. I started the New Rules weight lifting program when I got the BMF. It only gives me vigorous activity credit when I am running or during spin class at 100 RPMs. I am training for a Tri and just get moderate activity for hilly 20 mile road rides...just saying I think I was overestimating my activity intensity.
  • findingmyhappyplace
    findingmyhappyplace Posts: 75 Member
    Bump :) Keep it coming - I'd love as many people to try the site as possible.

    http://www.health-calc.com/diet/energy-expenditure-advanced
  • slammy1079
    slammy1079 Posts: 97
    Wow, I guess I may have saved myself a LOT of money. But how is it possible that someone as small as me can burn 2200 cals on a rest day?

    I just got my BMF a week ago. I have a desk job and I've had an unusually lazy week, so several days without dedicated exercise. I am 5'5, 33, 154 lbs and 28% BF...and my daily burn on rest days has consistently been around 2,000. So...it's possible, especially if you are up and about in your daily life a lot!
  • slammy1079
    slammy1079 Posts: 97
    Wow, I guess I may have saved myself a LOT of money. But how is it possible that someone as small as me can burn 2200 cals on a rest day?

    I just got my BMF a week ago. I have a desk job and I've had an unusually lazy week, so several days without dedicated exercise. I am 5'5, 33, 154 lbs and 28% BF...and my daily burn on rest days has consistently been around 2,000. So...it's possible, especially if you are up and about in your daily life a lot!

    PS: That dial site makes me dizzy! But according to Scooby my TDEE should be between 2200 and 2500, which - if I added in some exercise like I normally would - that's where I would be. From what I've read on this site Scooby seems to be the most consistently accurate calculator around.