My fitness pal accuracy

feels_so_good
on 9/1/14 12:23 pm
VSG on 05/20/14

Those using MFP to track your calories - do you find it accurate.

I noted that 5 weeks ago, that at 800 calories a day MFP estimated my weight to drop to 314. Now, 5 weeks later I averaged 850 calories and am at 315. Amazingly accurate for this small test.

 

5'10" Male : Consult Weight 428 1/16/14 : Pre-op m1 -3, m2 -12, m3 0, m4 -27 : SW 386 : m1 -25, m2 -22 m3 -15 4 -12: LW 278 CW 320 : Total Loss 108

Stacy_WLS
on 9/1/14 3:05 pm

I don't find it accurate at all.  In fact it wont even give me an estimate anymore.  I think it only gives you an estimate now if you eat over 1000 calories.  I think it drastically over estimates my calories burned from working out.  Without that it might be more accurate. 

VSG: 12/12/13, LBL, small TL, BL/BA: 11/7/14 Twins 12/9/18 HW after Twins 260. 5'10 37 years old - Stacy_WLS (MFP)

happyteacher
on 9/1/14 8:23 pm

Sort of- earlier in my weight loss phase it did seem to predict the loss fairly well. Not so much anymore. 

Surgeon: Chengelis  Surgery on 12/19/2011  A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21  2Mo: -16  3Mo: -12  4MO - 13  5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6  Goal in 8 months 4 days!!   6' 2''  EWL 103%  Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5   150+ pounds lost  

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

Grim_Traveller
on 9/1/14 10:07 pm
RNY on 08/21/12

What Stacy and happyteacher said.

Early on, the 5 week guess is fairly accurate. Later on, not as much. It is terrible at exercise calories. I would never eat back exercise calories, because I would gain weight for sure.

Some of the food items are way off. Some of the user data is done poorly, and you will see huge differences for the same item. Be very careful.

But overall, I swear by MFP. I log everything, very carefully, every day. I think a lot of the inaccuracies cancel each other out over time, and it really keeps me on plan.

6'3" tall, male.

Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.

M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.

kellybelly333
on 9/4/14 6:10 am - Toronto, Canada

I always laugh at what MFP says i'll weigh in five weeks. I'm 131 pounds, and yesterday it said I would be 117.5. Never! I exercise too much for it's liking, 1200 calories a day, 3.5 years out. I gain and lose the same 5-7 pounds. 

Surgery March 23/2011. Completed three full marathons and two half marathons, two half Ironman distances. Completed my first Full Ironman distance (4 km swim, 180 km bike, 42.2 km (full marathon) run) in Muskoka August 30/2015. Next Ironman Lake Placid July 23/2017!

feels_so_good
on 9/1/14 11:07 pm
VSG on 05/20/14

Good to know things may change down the road. 

Yes, some food is way off, I 2x the entry if it is the first time I'm adding a food. 

I haven't added in exercise calories.

5'10" Male : Consult Weight 428 1/16/14 : Pre-op m1 -3, m2 -12, m3 0, m4 -27 : SW 386 : m1 -25, m2 -22 m3 -15 4 -12: LW 278 CW 320 : Total Loss 108

Tracy D.
on 9/2/14 12:12 am - Papillion, NE
VSG on 05/24/13

I don't even pay attention to that feature - it would make me crazy if I did.  I don't find it to be particularly accurate but I do know it can set me up for "expectations".   And expectations pave the road to resentment.  That I don't need in my life.  The number on the scale each morning just is what it is...

 Tracy  5'3"     HW: 235  SW: 218  CW: 132    M1: -22  M2: -13  M3: -12  M4: -9  M5: -8   M6: -10   M7: -4

 Goal reached in 7 months and 1 week

 Lower Body Lift w/Dr. Barnthouse 7-8-15

   

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

G5x5
on 9/2/14 12:32 am - VA

The sad truth is we have all been lied to and it's not all about calories.  The evidence is out there that what the calories are makes up a critical role.

I could go into a long explanation but it would take up too much time here.  Google NSNG and/or Vinnie Tortorich.  Follow the NSNG guidelines (which are very bariactric friendly) and you'll solve any problems with myfitnesspals.

HW: 255 (6/5/13), SW: 240 (6/19/13), CW: 169 (9/16/14)

M1: -26,  M2: -17,  M3: -5,  M4: -13  M5: -12  M6: -11  M7: -8

M8-10: Skinny Maintenance (10k Training)   M11-13: On Break

M14+: **CROSSTRAINING FOR ALL AROUND FITNESS**

Google NSNG and learn the right way to eat each day

rosebud12078
on 9/2/14 12:55 am
VSG on 01/22/15

Hey There! I have been using MFP for 2 years and have been very successful. 2 years ago when I used it faithfully I lost 50lbs. Then I wasn't so faithful and gained back 80. I do find that is pretty accurate and I continue to use it now to help me in counting my calories. I started at 333 on July 28th and have lost 15lbs. on a 1200 calorie diet. I am on a six month plan for my insurance so I don't need the lean and green. I think that is pretty darn accurate if you ask me. Good luck in your travels and look me up on MFP rosebud12078 See you on the flip side.

    
ShrinkingViolet2013
on 9/2/14 1:03 am

I also use MFP religiously.  It's been off in terms of what I'd weigh in 5 weeks - I'd generally get there in 10 weeks.  I also found a "trick" if you are eating less than 1000 calories per day - the feature that "estimates" where you'll be in 5 weeks still works on the mobile app.  I track every single thing (food, water, exercise) which has really helped with progress - I am very close to goal, and it's one of my favorite (but not totally perfect) tools. 

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