How calories work

[Speedbird]

Hello, i've been using the Blaze for a couple of weeks but still cannot understand how the Calories thing works. The Fitbit FAQ says you burn calories whilst asleep, err, yes we know that but not really explain anything else. 

I understand the 'in V out' section on the Dashboard (fewer in, more out, equals good) I get that but then i get a screen like the one attached where it indicates that i've met my goal only on 2 occasions when each and every day i have put in fewer than i've put out, and if green indicates good what goal have I not achieved?

Please offer only simple explanations as I am so confused now.

Thank you 

Moderator edit: Clarified subject

[FerdinandFitbit]

Hey there @Speedbird. Great to see you in the Fitbit Community Forums! 🙂

From what you mention and based on the screenshot you attach, a calorie goal is a goal of the calories you should burn each day, not the ones you need to eat/take in. So, in the graphic, when you see the bars in green, this means that you've been very active and that you've burned more calories than what you were supposed to (your  goal) and for the aqua bars, this means that you've not been very active and you've not burned the required amount of calories to be on target.

Now, when it comes to the calories in vs calories out, this takes into consideration the calories you consume and the calories you burn, so in order to stay on target, you need to compensate the calories you eat with exercise for activity to be more than the calories you take in.

Hope this explanation works. If you need anything else, I'm here to help! 🙂

[Speedbird]

Thank you for replying.

So, the goal that is set, is set how? and why is the goal set where it is?

Surely if I wanted to, let’s say lose weight then the intake of calories would be lower than if i wanted to maintain constant weight?

This can’t be so difficult to understand, why the hell can’t I get it? DOH!

Thanks again

[Speedbird]

Thank you for replying.

So, the goal that is set, is set how? and why is the goal set where it is? 

Surely if I wanted to, let’s say lose weight then the intake of calories would be lower than if i wanted to maintain constant weight?

This can’t be so difficult to understand, why the hell can’t I get it? DOH!

Thanks again

[FerdinandFitbit]

Nothing to be ashamed @Speedbird, I also had a little of a hard time getting it right at the beginning but once you get used to it, it's pretty easy 🙂

This goal is set by your personal information. This means that Fitbit will calculate, based on your height, weight, age, gender, etc. how many calories you should be burning a day for a person with your profile. Now, this is something you can change yourself if you feel like you should be burning more calories but in that case, I would recommend setting a food plan. What this does is that it based on the plan you choose, will help you lose weight by you logging your food and by Fitbit taking into consideration your activity (the calories you burn every day) and will give you an estimate on when you will reach your weight goal  based on that.

For this, from a computer, go to the Log section at the top of your profile. Here, Go down to the Food Plan section and click on the Get Started button and just go with the steps that it will show you.

Hope you find all this helpful. If you need more help, I'm always around! 🙂

[Speedbird]

I might be getting there, You say:

This goal is set by your personal information. This means that Fitbit will calculate, based on your height, weight, age, gender, etc. how many calories you should be burning a day for a person with your profile.

So, for my size and weight I should 'burn' the goal amount just to remain constant, and burn more if i want to lose weight?

Thanks Ferdin

[FerdinandFitbit · Accepted solution]

Correct and correct @Speedbird. You got it!

The goal Fitbit gives you is just to remain constant as you say. Now, it's up to you if you'd like to keep it that way or increase your calories burned goal to achieve a desired weight goal.