Can my calorie numbers really be that high?

[trbo]

Hi guys,

I got a Fitbit Charge 2 weeks ago and I am curious about the high numbers of calories it says I burn throughout the day. 

I am 73 kg (160 lbs) and 178 cm (5'10) and I train pretty intense every day and walk a lot throughout the to get to the Uni, the Gym and basically everywhere. 

I have attached my Dashboards from the last three days and I would really love to know whether you guys think that these numbers can be possible.

Thank you so much

[Malme84]

The calories burned for the day includes your BMR, so it is a combination of the calories burned through exercise and carrying out your bodies natural functions (e.g. breathing, digestion).

[trbo]

Yeah I am aware about that. But my actual question was whether such high numbers of calories burned are realistic for someone whit my height and weight as they seem pretty high to me. 

[Malme84]

Sorry, the wording of your post didn't specify that you were aware of that fact. Given the number of steps and floors you are doing in a day, your numbers are realistic. Nothing strange about them.

[Dominique]

How old are you? It would make a big difference if you’re 25 or 65.

[trbo]

im 25 

[Dominique]

Then calculated TDEE as per the Mifflin St Jeor equation (= close to what Fitbit is using would be 3273 at the highest activity level and 2971 at the second highest. I’m using this online calculator. Your step count and number of active minutes would put you in either category IMO. Your Charge 2 may overestimate your TDEE.

After having worn a Surge and a Charge 2 at the same time for four months, I found that the Charge 2 inflated both steps (quite a lot) and calories (not so much) compared to the Surge. Before that, I found the Surge inflated calories compared to the One (which was my first Fitbit). Several people have reported HR-enabled Fitbits tend to inflate calories compared to non-HR models.  All this shows estimating TDEE with a fitness tracker is not an exact science.

[trbo]

Ok thanks a lot. How muxh did your charge 2 calorie figures differ from the others? or how high was the difference?

[Dominique]

Check the link I posted: it includes weekly calories (Surge vs. Charge 2) for 17 weeks, with an average step count similar to yours.