New to FitBit...Budget help?

[xoxo_ravioli]

Hello, 

I am new to FitBit and just got the Blaze this past Sunday.

I set up my weight loss goal of 70lbs. I am currently 250lbs and am 5'5'' (female).

I am logging my calories, water, and exersize but I don't understand the budget system. I have been consistantly under budget even though I feel like I am eating enough food to fill/satisfy me throughout the day.

I know if you don't eat enough calories, you will lose muscle, not fat....and if you eat too much, well, you just won't lose weight....

I have no idea if what I'm doing is getting me where I would like to be!

I need some help understanding.... 

[wmchapman]

Welcome xoxo, take a peek at this thread, really clears it up for you...

Link to demystifying budget

[JennyJenn]

Hello, I'm newish to Fitbit as well, got my tracker on July 20, so I'm still learning a lot, too. But I came across this amazing post by a fellow Fitbit user. It should be a great start (and then some) for you to start learning and playing around with the different tools - and understanding them. That's taking me a bit of time, but everyone around here is so helpful and friendly!

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Fitbit-com-Dashboard/Part-1-Fitbit-Food-Plan-Basics/m-p/1155149#M515...

There are links to places to find out how many calories you should be consuming based on your height, weight, and goals. Yes, don't undereat.

Can I ask for some numbers? I might not be the right person to answer, but maybe someone more knowledgeable can. How many calories are you consuming, how many calories are you burning and what is Fitbit saying?

One thing I can impart, that you may or may not know, is to use a calculator to figure out your BMR (Basil Metabolic Rate). You never want to go below that number, that is the calories you will burn if you stayed in bed all day and just breathed. I don't know what number above that you shouldn't go under, because just getting out of bed burns more calories. You need enough calories to sustain your activities during the day. I don't know that magic number for myself, either, but I'm getting a much clearer picture by reading in these forums, other websites and paying attention to the food I'm logging and exercise I'm doing.

[emili]

hey @xoxo_ravioli you have to figure out what deficit you will be comfy at. Most folks aim for 500-800. Or you can use the old no less than 1200 calories per day theory. In reality its all trial and error. If you are eating and you are not hungry, dizzy, lethargic or confused, then your body is satisfied. If you get on the scale and you are losing- yay. If you get on the scale and you are staying the same you need to increase your deficit. If you are gaining, you really need to increase your deficit. Its a number game especially in the beginning. Later on it get a bit more tricky with adjustments.. log your food as accurately as possible by weighing and measuring everything and see what happens..