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Fitbit not accurately calculating exercise

‎01-31-2018 13:55

‎01-31-2018 13:55

Hi everyone

 

I'm new on this forum but not new to fitbit, I've had mine for almost 2 years.  I have been really disheartened lately as I have noticed my fitbit is calculating too many calories burned for the activities I am doing.  So, bit of background, I decided to get my act together and get in shape in the new year 2018! I've been combining couch to 5k with daily walks.  My walking calories are, I think, too much for my time, height/age/weight etc and I'm feeling quite deflated by it.  I noticed I hadn't been losing weight as I was going off my calories burned for the day, now I feel what is the point of having a fitbit if the estimated calorie burn is way off.  Can anyone advise, thanks in advance.

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‎02-01-2018 12:18

‎02-01-2018 12:18

Personally, all the trackers and cardio machines, and ... well.. anything that does an auto calculation of calories are off. I see a weight loss doctor every month, and she informed me that all the apps, machines, and everything else are all based on assumptions. It will never be an exact *thing* no matter what you use. She advises me to cut the number by 30%-50%. I agree too, and that's what I have been doing.

 

That being said, I use my FitBit to gauge my effort, and even though (in my opinion) it's not accurate, as least it's consistently inaccurate, but a good overview of what's happening for me.

 

My Charge2 says my 1.5 hour workouts burn like 1200 calories. I doubt it. I work hard in the gym, but I don't think 1200 is accurate. However, I can safely say that I might be the 500 burn range. Again, nothing is exact, no matter what you use.

 

I do a 1800-2000 calorie intake daily, and that's below my 2300 BMR number. I was told not to eat below BMR. My TDEE is like 3200. But 1800-2000 works for me, and I do not feel starved at all.

 

I just try to use some good judgement and go in knowing that I'll never get an exact number on anything.

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