Newbie q: Fitbit Goals and MFP

[shaboogie56]

I recently started using a Fitbit Zip for the first time and I'm confused about syncing and how I should adjust my settings.

Previously, I was using MapMyWalk and logging walks with MFP. I am 'sedentary' on MFP and when I was going for longer and faster walks, I was logging them on MapMyWalk and 'earning back' calories on MFP.

Since getting my Zip, I've unsynced MapMyWalk (it was starting to feel kind of obsessive to keep logging and syncing for walking, and to be continually thinking about whether my walking was 'exercise' or not). My Fitbit Zip is synced with MFP. Now, however, I'm confused.

My questions:

1) Do my 'goals' on FitBit (calories burned, steps) affect the adjustments in MFP?

2) Do my steps as logged by FitBit never show up as 'exercise'? Are my days of earning back calories over? :-0 Unless I manually enter 'exercise'?

3) I'm trying to integrate the use of these app's smoothly into my life so I'm not thinking about them too much. Still, I can sync several times a day without a problem. Am I correct in thinking it would be more accurate to have negative adjustments enabled?

[StephanieFitbit · Accepted solution]

@shaboogie56 A warm welcome to Fitbit Community! It's nice to hear that you're doing a soft transition between apps. When you sync your Fitbit, it will automatically transfer your steps and calorie recordings to MyFitnessPal. 

Regarding the adjustments, you may see a difference between sites. Because MyFitnessPal has another way to estimate its calorie budgets. This change is intended to give users a more accurate representation of what they should eat. You can read more here: Total daily calorie partners.

Your steps logged, will show as Fitbit logged steps on your records page, not as an activity. However, MyFitnessPal syncs to Fitbit your activities and food logs. There is a dedicated post about your third question thaty may help. You're welcome to join: MyFitnessPal negative calorie adjustment. If you have an additional question don't hesitate to ask me here. Happy stepping!