How does Fitbit calculate weight loss?

[Mark_P.]

The fitbit app weight loss calculations make no sense.

I have lost over 60 pounds since I started, and the app has not given me a badge since the initial 30 pounds. What's up with that? Are there no more badges? 

Does it just calculate from the last time you updated the goal? Right now the data says I've lost 21 pounds since Jan 10. Why Jan 10? I've lost 64 pounds since July 7, 2020. That shows on the graphs. Why doesn't it use that date? Is there any way I can change this so that it's reporting accurately? I sure can't find it!

[WilsonFitbit]

Hello @Mark_P., welcome to the community forums! Thank you for the information! 

Regarding the Weight goal not updating, looks like you're having a similar inconvenience reported on this thread. But, are you seeing this on the Web Dashboard or on the Fitbit App? 

If it's from the Fitbit App, I recommend using the Web Dashboard and try to locate your badges. Please let me know if you're able to see them there. Please do the following: 

- From the Web Dashboard, click on Log. 

- Select Weight. 

- Click on "You can now find your badges in the Badge Locker", this option is located under Goal Progress. 

- Scroll down and look for "Weight Goal". Let me know if you're able to see the last Weight Badge earned. 

I look forward to your response. 

[Mark_P.]

Hi Wilson,

All I can see in the badge locker under weight goals are badges for every five pounds lost starting at 5 and going to 30., plus one for weight goal set (which is listed as achieved one time, December 25, 2020. 30 pound badge is listed as four times, last being January 8 2020. 25 pound badge is four times, last January 8, 2021.

5 to 20 pound badges all say achieved many times (9 to 59 times range!), last achieved March 9, 2021. That all makes no sense.

But I did look at the other thread you mentioned, and a post from RobertoME (3-20-2017, 08:39) provided a clue that led to the answer.

Somehow the Fitbit software selected January 10 2021 as the start date, and used that weight as the starting weight. I was able to set the date and weight manually and weight loss total is displaying correctly now. I don't know if badges will be awarded for those other points (35, 40, 45, etc.), but the total loss displayed is now correct.

Thanks for your help!

Mark P.

[WilsonFitbit]

@Mark_P., thank you very much for your reply! 

I really appreciate the time you took to review that thread! I'm also happy to know that you were able to correct and solve the inconvenience, following the instructions provided there. 

See you around. 

[MovingNGrooving]

@Mark_P.,  Congratulations on the weight loss so far. Can you please tell me how you were able to fix the issue?  I have lost over 30 lbs and I was attempting to check my new goal and my weight lost went to zero, which isn’t correct.  My data is all still logged but my weight lost is not showing correctly in the app which is disappointing.  Thanks in advance.