Fit Bit accuracy

[Trastan]

Just wondering how many people follow their fitbit calorie intake instructions? I don't have a nutrionalist so I really don't know how many calories I should be intaking. I bought a fitbit and programmed all my info in and it always shows that I have a huge calorie deficit for intake at the end of the day for the amount of calories that I am burning. I don't know weather or not these are really accurate or not. I am afraid that if it is accurate and I should be eating more calories for the amount of exercise I am doing a day that I am just putting my body into starvation mode. Does anyone else follow what their fit bit tell them their intake should be to still lose weight?

[RehabNurse]

The dietitian at my surgeon's practice, as well as my surgeon, did not require me to count calories. Ever. Even though you don't have a nutritionist or dietitian, you probably could get away without calorie-counting too.

Here's the theory behind it...if you exceed your daily protein goal, your body will expend a great deal of energy digesting whatever food you eat. High-protein foods have a significantly higher thermic effect during digestion than carbs and fats. This keeps your metabolic rate high without any worries about starvation mode.

These days I estimate I consume 2000+ calories and 120 grams of protein daily. I have been able to maintain my fairly low body weight this way. I do not count calories, track, or measure because these actions are reminiscent of the dieter mentality. Many of us sucked at long term diet adherence before surgery, so I refuse to live like that after surgery.

[Luna354]

You just had surgery in March. You shouldn't even be able to eat anywhere near what the fitbit is telling you.

[sraebaer]

I was told to never count calories, only liquids and protein. I wouldn't worry about what your Fitbit says, as long as you are getting in your liquids and protein, along with your vitamins of course.

[Merry Mary]

I've used a Fitbit for years and don't pay any attention to how many calories the tracker shows I need or how many I supposedly burned doing exercise. I've found it over counts calories burned.

If you really want an accurate count of how many calories you need in a day, look into a body scan. One of them is a Bod Pod. You put on a swim suit and sit in a little pod. The weight of your bones and fat are analyzed and the technician will explain how many actual calories you need to consume every day.

[Christie13]

Have not counted calories one time since I had my sleeve. I just make sure I get enough protein and fluids.

[Lisa73me]

I use my fitness pal app, it works much better. You can use the 1500 calorie a day option. Hope this helps!

[Shirl]

Have never used Fitbit, UP for years and just recently gifted myself the Withings HR Watch!

I don't follow the caloric recommendations on any gadget, forum, or literature because each caloric expenditure is just as the Sleeve experience... individual.

My nutritionist said that with every 5 I lose I should be adjusting my caloric intake because of rapid (her words) weightloss, our metabolism slows down, making it harder to lose weight in the same speed and amount as earlier. And that goes for Sleeve and non sleeved folks.

My best recommendation is to track your macronutrients (protein, carbs, fat) for right now, you can either calculate by paper and pencil or a food log app. Try to never go below the recommended minimum by your surgeon whatever that is. Once you start eating a regular food, then use a food log to keep you accountable of the food choices, there are folks here who don't track food, but I do and find it extremely necessary to hold me accountable.

I get 105+ of protein of most days, bit now that I can eat more carbs are creeping up and are on par or below Protein mostly. My fats I try to keep below 30% and they come from good sources like raw nuts and unsaturated fats.

Once you are at a stable weight I also recommend getting the resting metabolic rate RMR test, most dietician and nutritionist can easily order this simple 10 minute test to see what is the minimum calories you need to just breath and stay alive. Again if you do it before you are done losing weight you wiññ have to do itvmonthly so to have an idea of how your metabolism is functioning.