How accurate is my daily calorie burn?

[Sabrechick]

All I want to know is how accurate my daily total is in regards to the calories burned.  I want to get an idea of what kind of deficit I'm creating- simple math- calories out minus calories in. I'm using a food log app so I know my "ins" are fairly accurate, but I want to know- if I take my total from the day before (as it is a finished 24hr period) and subtract my intake from that same time period- how accurate should I consider that surplus/deficit?  

[SteveH · Accepted solution]

In my view it's pretty accurate. A couple of years ago I lost a lot of weight using fitbit to track my calories burned and MyFitnessPal to track my food intake. My weight loss corresponded to the expected 1 pound for every 3500 calorie deficit.

What app are you using to track food? As well as MyFitnessPal there are a number that can sync with fitbit and if the one you're using does then fitbit can manage your weight loss target via a food plan. There's more on this here: http://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1375/

And the list of supported apps is at www.fitbit.com/apps

[Sabrechick]

I'm using MyFitnessPal as well, so I'm good on that front. I have a bunch of medical issues after some extensive chemo over the years that left my resting heart rate between 110-120 and a thyroid that doesn't work.  I figured the calorie calculation was at least in part heart rate based, which I'm sure messes with my totals a little, but it's good to know that the device is fairly accurate to begin with.  Thanks!