Exercise and calories

[Margb77]

Hello

I`m new here and was wondering, if I track my food intake on Fitbit does it give me extra calories for exercise? I`ve been using Weight Watchers and syncing it with the account but I don`t think it`s accurate? It`s also cheaper for me to cancel WW and use the Fitbit log. I find if I exercise I feel more hungry but wouldn`t use all of the calories from exercise! Thanks in advance.

Marg

[divedragon]

Hi and welcome to the community.

The first thing to do is understand how fitbit works with the app.  When you exercise, walk, run, etc, fitbit device will track this (how much info depends on your model of fitbit i.e.: heartrate vs no heartrate) and based on the information you provided such as hight and weight, calculates that amount of energy you expend.  The app also tracks an average Basic Metabolic Rate in terms of calories consumed to just exiist.  If you watch the calories out tile throughout the day, you'll see it gradually climbing even in absense of any exercise.  When you exercise and espeically if you have a Heart Rate monitor, it will use this info to calculate how many additional calories you consumed.

So, having said all that, the calculations are only based on averages among all humans.  They are not taloired specifically to you, so you need to take them with a grain of salt.  Now tracking your food intake in fitbit is very good and will allow you essentially keep a food log and help you control the calories you take in, but I wouldn't use the calories out as your guage. 

The best approach for MOST people would be, since you are female, to say you typically burn 1800-2000 calories a day.  If you reduce your caloric intake to 1400/day, you should see a steady weight loss.  Other options include intermittent fasting and Low Carb, High Fat (LCHF) diets.  I'd be happy to provide you information for just search in this forum on those and you'll see where I've posted a lot of information in other posts (along with a few counter arguments from others).  Another term to search on is Ketogenic and ketosis.

I wish you great luck and feel free to send me a message, add me as friend or any other avenue if you'd like more specific information.

[diamondc]

I also follow weight watchers and use my fitbit. The new ww plan doesnt encourage using calories earned from exercise as a trade off from food. But from someone who works out alot thats kind of unrealistic and discouraging when your starving and feel like you cant go over your points. I canceled my subscription and log all of my food on the app, and add the points in the "notes" section on the food log. I actually started following the old program (points plus ) since that really worked for me before.This keeps me aware of my points and my calories in vs out without a lot of effort. Good luck!

[GershonSurge]

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@Margb77 wrote:

Hello

I`m new here and was wondering, if I track my food intake on Fitbit does it give me extra calories for exercise? I`ve been using Weight Watchers and syncing it with the account but I don`t think it`s accurate? It`s also cheaper for me to cancel WW and use the Fitbit log. I find if I exercise I feel more hungry but wouldn`t use all of the calories from exercise! Thanks in advance.

Marg

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I've used both the Zip and the Surge. Both are close enough. The Zip underestimates the calories burned by about 20%. The Surge overestimates the calories burned. The difference is less for those who get little exercise. I base this on monitoring actual weight lost vs. expected weight lost as a result of the deficits. 

I'm not a Weight Watcher's member. Recently, I joined Planet Fitness and meet with one of their trainers each week for free. I suggest not underestimating the value of an accountibility partner. Trainers at Planet Fitness will not give diet advice, but they will listen if you include diet as a part of an overall plan. 

[Margb77]

Thank you for the reply. I will certainly take on board what you`ve told me.