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Charge 6 - Understanding how Burning Cal and Energy are calculated

‎12-27-2024 07:12 - last edited on ‎12-27-2024 07:49 by Fitbit Moderator

‎12-27-2024 07:12 - last edited on ‎12-27-2024 07:49 by Fitbit Moderator

I was so excited that I got a new Fitbit.  I had an old one that’s about 10 years old that still work.  Only use it for step counting and I can’t find it so my kids gave me a new one.  However, when I finally set it up it showing that I already burned 497cal/energy and I have not even started my day.  How is this possible?  I followed YouTube to factory reset again and it’s still the same. 
I believe Fitbit should have sleep tile for sleep calories burn and calories separate.  I know you burn calories while sleeping but if you have a goal to burn calories while working out or doing daily activities, they should not go together.  
This is really insane and I hate returning products let alone tell my kids it’s a piece of **ahem**.  I really don’t want them to buy me iWatch and I don’t want an iWatch.  It’s a waste of money when I have regular watches I wear daily.  
Please fix the issues.  I don’t want to return my gift from my kids.  

Thank you.  

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

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‎12-27-2024 07:46 - edited ‎12-27-2024 07:47

‎12-27-2024 07:46 - edited ‎12-27-2024 07:47

Hi @virgo6969 Welcome to the Fitbit Community! It's great to know you are back on track with your new Charge 6.

Let me explain to you how Calories are counted on your Fitbit device. I appreciate the time invested in the troubleshooting you have performed.

Your Charge 6 combines your basal metabolic rate and your activity data to estimate your calories burned. Your heart-rate data is also included, especially to estimate calories burned during exercise. The number you see on your Fitbit device is your total calories burned for the day.

Your BMR is based on the physical data you entered in to your Fitbit account (height, weight, sex, and age) and accounts for at least half the calories you burn in a day. As you mentioned, because your body burns calories even if you’re asleep or not moving, you see calories burned on your device when you wake up and will notice this number increase throughout the day.

I suggest that you focus on your overall Calori burn, as it is more hollistic and accurate.

I wish you a happy holiday season!

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