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Fitbit calorie goals & calories in/calories out

‎09-13-2015 08:32

‎09-13-2015 08:32

I've seen a few similar threads on this topic but different enough from my situation that I thought it was worth a post asking.

I am starting day 2 on Fitbit Flex. First day it set my caloric consumption at 925 and for today it is 880 (!). Yesterday I ended up burning 1925 aka Fitbit and eating 1100. I have goal set to 1000 deficit a day so obviously I didn't hit that.

I'm 5 2 1/2. I had a DEXA scan done a few days ago that showed my RMR at just under 1400. I have 50-60 lbs left to lose. I'm down about 30 lbs from peak. [As an aside, I'd highly recommend a DEXA scan if you can get one done at a price you can afford. I've been surprised to see my RMR drop about 350 calories between age and weight loss.]

 

I've been keeping calories prior to Fitbit to 1350-1650 a day and have been losing 2+ lbs a week at that level. Obviously I haven't had a 1000 calorie deficit a day at that (although I know on active days I can hit 3k+ burn. I had a bodybugg for a while).

I realize that the intake goals will go up if my burn does but it's a catch 22. Yesterday was really tough at 1100 calories for me. 

I'm wondering if I should - while what I have been doing continues to work - keep at the 1350-1650 a day range even if Fitbit isn't showing a 1000 calorie deficit as long as I am continuing to lose at that rate.

 

Any comments? Anyone in a similar situation?

 

 

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‎09-13-2015 11:10 - edited ‎09-13-2015 13:38

‎09-13-2015 11:10 - edited ‎09-13-2015 13:38

I wouldn't be stuck on the 1K deficit. Obviously, some days are easier than others, but you still need to nourish your body. I also find struggling to stay under a certain limit can cause me to eat way more at another time. Any deficit is better than none, but I think if you aim for 500-1,000 you'll be fine. The more weight you lose, the harder it is to have a large deficit, and the weight comes off more slowly. It's not a race, and I know we'd all just like to get it over with, but sometimes slowing down the process a little is healthiest for your body (by making sure you get enough to eat).

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‎09-13-2015 12:09

In response to Alexhimmi

‎09-13-2015 12:09

Alex, thanks. Yeah, I'm concerned with this feeling like restriction and being able to stay with it. It's a lot less risky for me to go a few hundred calories (or more) higher than recommended than end up feeling starving at night and having something 1k+ calories. I know myself too well. Plus, I'm not having an issue with not losing yet.

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‎09-13-2015 19:14

‎09-13-2015 19:14

I'm confused because according to my calories in vs. calories out I would have lost a pound and a half. I didn't lose anything. I do work out 3-4 times a week and walk about 20 miles a week. Other than that I don't do much because I'm unemployed and have no children just a demanding husband. 😍 I eat a clean diet so I don't have a sodium or sugar issue. Thanks for any help.
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‎09-14-2015 21:05

In response to Dawnfla6aa2

‎09-14-2015 21:05

Dawn, it seems like what you are saying is based on 1 week. Changes may take longer than a week to be reflected on the scale. That said, make sure you are measuring / weighing food appropriately and be cautious of calories from restaurants/prepackaged foods since they often underreport calories. 

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