Harder to make calories burned goals

[jleahjj]

I started with my Fitbit when I weighed 179 5'6" female. It was very easy to burn my calories and I often exceeded my goal and would burn 4000 calories or more in a day. Now I weigh 132 and I struggle to make the my 2,275 goal. Even If I have 40,000 steps at a hard jog. Is this an accurate situation for everyone else?

Thanks, JJ

[t.parker]

I really doubt you would burn 4000kcal a day. It's amount athlete burns. Not sure what your BMR is but probably something around 1600 (at the time your weight was 179). It means you would need hell a lot of work to reach 4000kcal. Struggling to get 2000+ looks lot more realistic. It is true that with weight loss it will become harder to burn more (simply, you caring lot less weight and it costs you less energy to do whatever you do). However, my guess is that the first result was greatly overestimated. Today, I exceeded slighy 3000kcal in total and the cost of that is cycling 40km for almost 3 hours (lots of hills, partially off-road). It isn't something I do every day (I do other sports). Usually, I struggle to reach 2500kcal and I am very active and fit person (more on the athletic side). From my experience, I'd say the latter result are more realistic.

[JohnnyRow · Accepted solution]

Congrats on that weight loss.

With your weight down that much, you wouldn't burn as many calories for the same number of steps because it takes less work carrying less weight.  Also your BMR decreases with weight loss. If you are doing that many steps, and at a good weight, calories can probably be less of a concern.

[emili]

Hey there @jleahjj  I do think the mistake was early on in your weight loss. You and I are about the same size, I am 49 5 7 and 130 pounds. On days where I get 20K thousand steps with 12K of them being from running, I burn 2500 calories by the end of the day give or take. On days I don't run but still manage at east 18K steps are make it to 2200 give or take which is my goal. It is true that with greater fitness it takes more effort to burn through calories so your now totals seem about right to me. Either way, you have made tremendous progress and congratulations on your accomplishment!

[jleahjj]

I have seen 4000 calories on my Fitbit. I am a bit insane, but it keeps me happy. I am often over 3000. I just noticed it's harder and running for several hours and running up and down stairs and running with my dog. Raking my front yard, back yard and side yards and I am just creeping over 2,300. Have to do even more to push it up to 3000. Thank you for telling me about your fitness goals. Regards, JJ