Steps via iPhone vs. Steps via Fitbit Calorie Difference

[tsenrettam]

Hi, all. New user here, so please be kind!

I was using MFP with my iPhone to count steps. After about 10,000 steps per day, MFP was giving me a "bonus" of 180-ish calories. I just bought an Inspire HR, and, when also walking about 10,000 steps a day, I am now given a whopping 600+ "bonus" calories! I decided to turn off the heart rate on the Fitbit, but I'm still getting about 500 "bonus" calories for the same amount of steps that the IPhone would give me only 180-ish. Any ideas as to what is going on? I ask because I'm afraid to eat these "bonus" calories and gain all the wait back! Thanks, in advance, for your help.

[AndreaFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community @tsenrettam. I'll be glad to assist you with your calorie difference between Fitbit and MyFitnessPal. 

Fitbit doesn't pass your burned calories through to MFP. Instead, it passes an adjustment. In your example you have slightly exceeded the amount of calories burned (by 10 calories) than was anticipated by this point in the day.

This adjustment of 10 calories is taken off your calories eaten so far, in effect giving you an extra 10 calories to eat. So, you started the day with MFP allowing you 1760 calories to eat, you are now allowed 1770. You have eaten 1062, leaving you with 708 for the rest of the day.

If you do even more exercise, Fitbit will pass through a bigger adjustment and MFP will increase the amount you can eat accordingly.

I found this post where our friend explains this very well. You can also check this article.

Keep on visiting the forums.