Understanding the Lose It! Calorie Bonus
The Lose It! app automatically syncs with various fitness trackers and relies on the data they provide to adjust your daily calorie budget. A calorie bonus is added to your log when your total daily calorie burn, as reported by your device, exceeds what the app estimated for your activity level. While this feature is designed to be helpful, some users prefer to manually account for exercise and want to stop the automatic adjustment.
How the Bonus is Calculated
Lose It! calculates a “Target Burn” based on your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and chosen activity level. If your connected device, like a Fitbit or Apple Watch, reports a total calorie burn (resting + active) higher than this target, the difference is added as a “Calorie Bonus” to your log. For many on a weight loss journey, this extra buffer can be unwelcome, as it gives permission to eat more calories and can slow progress. The key to removing this bonus lies in understanding and managing your app's connections.
Device-Specific Methods to Remove the Calorie Bonus
For Fitbit Users
Removing the calorie bonus for a Fitbit is straightforward and can be done within the Lose It! app settings, without needing to disconnect the device entirely.
- Open the Lose It! app.
- Tap the 'Profile' icon in the top right corner.
- Scroll down to the 'Automatic Tracking' section and select 'View All'.
- Tap on 'Fitbit' from the list of connected apps.
- Scroll down to the 'Allow Fitbit to Write Data' section.
- Toggle off the 'Calorie Bonus' option.
For Garmin Users
Similar to Fitbit, Garmin users can easily disable the calorie bonus without full disconnection.
- Open the Lose It! app.
- Tap the 'Profile' icon.
- Scroll down to 'Automatic Tracking'.
- Select 'Garmin'.
- Toggle off the 'Calorie Bonus' setting.
For Apple Watch Users
Unfortunately, there is no option to simply toggle off the calorie bonus for Apple Watch users. The app's integration with Apple Health means the bonus is an inherent feature. To remove it completely, you must disconnect your Apple Watch from Lose It!.
- Open the Lose It! app and go to your 'Profile'.
- Navigate to 'Automatic Tracking' and tap on 'Apple Watch'.
- Tap 'Disconnect'.
- Manually delete any existing calorie bonus entries for the current day by swiping left on the entry in your log and tapping 'Delete'.
For Google Fit and iPhone Steps
Users tracking steps via Google Fit or iPhone's built-in step tracker also face limitations. You cannot disable the bonus while continuing to sync step data. To prevent the bonus, you must either:
- Change Google Fit settings to only sync workouts.
- Disconnect the app entirely from Lose It!.
Comparison of Calorie Bonus Management by Device
| Feature | Fitbit | Garmin | Apple Watch | Google Fit / iPhone Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option to Disable Bonus | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Action Required | Toggle a single setting | Toggle a single setting | Disconnect the device | Disconnect or limit sync data |
| Effect on Other Data | Other syncs remain active | Other syncs remain active | All data syncs from Watch stop | Steps sync stops; workouts can continue |
| Recommended for Tighter Control | Easiest adjustment | Easy adjustment | Disconnect is required | Disconnect is required |
Reclaiming Control of Your Calorie Budget
For those who prefer a more rigid and consistent calorie target, managing the automatic bonus is essential. Once you've removed the bonus, you have several options for tracking exercise and still accounting for it accurately without losing control.
How to Track Exercise Manually
- Log Exercise: After disabling the calorie bonus, you can manually log your workouts in the 'Exercise' section of your log. This allows you to choose exactly how many calories are added back to your budget, or if any are added at all.
- Set a Fixed Budget: If you want to eliminate all fluctuations, you can set a fixed calorie budget that does not change regardless of your exercise. You can find this option by going to Profile > Budget > Budget Type > Fixed.
- Ignore Exercise Calories: Some users simply ignore exercise calories in their budget entirely, viewing exercise as a health bonus rather than a means to eat more. This approach ensures you stick to your baseline calorie goal.
Conclusion
The ability to remove the calorie burn bonus on Lose It! varies significantly based on the connected fitness tracker. While Fitbit and Garmin users have a simple toggle, Apple Watch and Google Fit users must take more drastic measures, such as disconnecting the device entirely. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone who prefers to have manual control over their daily calorie intake and exercise logging. By following the device-specific instructions and exploring alternative tracking methods, you can tailor the Lose It! app to perfectly fit your weight management strategy and regain full control of your progress.
For additional support and updates on feature requests, you can visit the official Lose It! support pages.