Confused by Fitbit Calories Intake Suggestion

[AJD78]

The main goal for having purchased a Fitbit (Charge 2) is the potential to lose body fat. I've been in and out of fitness and weight management over the past few years, so have some basic idea of calories in/out, BMR/TDEE etc. but the numbers Fitbit is suggesting to me are a little confusing. So I'm hoping someone more knowledgeable can help me understand.

My stats are:

Male

38 years old

98kg

Sedentary lifestyle

In setup, I said I wanted to follow the harder dieting path, with the 1000 calorie deficit. So Fitbit is now telling me to eat 1894 calories a day to meet that goal.

But every online calculator I use tells me that my TDEE is around 2500 calories. So shouldn't Fitbit be suggesting an intake of 1500 calories? 

Obviously I'm missing something, so I'd be grateful to the Fitbit community for educating me on the finer points that I'm missing. ^_^ 

[A_Lurker]

Ideally you should avoid eating too much under your BMR.  Unless you're very short 1500 calories is likely too low.  Try this calculator, putting in your goal weight.  Also, depending on how much you have to lose you may not want a large deficit.

http://www.fat2fittools.com/tools/bmr/

[AJD78]

Hey A_Lurker. Thanks for your reply.

As with the other calculators I've used, the link you provided calculated my BMR at 2093 calories. So that would put Fitbit's suggested calorie deficit below my BMR.

In any case, do you think I would lose weight at  2300 calories a day, if my TDEE is around 2500 a day? I appreciate the need for moderation and long term sustainability, but i wonder if i'd actually lose weight that way.

[A_Lurker]

I'd suggest that you set your deficit to the -750, which would bring you around your BMR for calories.  Do this for 3 or 4 weeks and then evaluate how you're doing and adjust.

[AJD78]

OK, I'll give it a try.

Thanks.