How does app pull in Apple Watch calories burned? Topic

U1189939120 05/10/21
Love the app, I notice when I manually log exercise on my watch as a workout that data comes into the app here, but my other daily calories burned don’t show up. I’ve been considering manually adding them but I don’t know if the system just doesn’t count non-workout calories for a specific reason. I know there’s a formula for the % calories burned that should go back into a food budget so I’m wondering if that’s why they’re not automatically logged, but some days when I’m running around for work I might hit 900 calories burned just walking from place to place or whatnot. Figured I’d ask before I manually log them so I’m not tricking myself!

U1189909095 05/10/21
When I manually log it on Apple it doesn’t show up and doesn’t change my calories. On the other hand on android it did so I’m not sure but all i can say is I manually pit it in and it doesn’t show up so might have to calculate yourself.

U1189909095 05/10/21
Ok just found in the app setting (3 dots top left) first option is calculating workout calories (something like that) turn it on and it takes off the calories!

Dietician 05/10/21 replied to U1189939120
Hi there U1189939120- We are thrilled to hear you are finding the app helpful!

Here's some background info on how the app calculates calories around activity: https://www.mynetdiary.com/planning_weight_and_calories.html

"The simplest way to avoid overestimating your Daily Food Calorie Budget (and Calorie Budget) is to set your Activity Level to sedentary in Plan section. The sedentary level accounts for activities of daily living and that is what most people do every single day of their lives. Since sedentary level already includes incidental walking up to about a mile, I would not log 15 minutes of shopping as exercise since it would just overestimate my Calorie Budget.

If you choose to use an Activity Level higher than sedentary, then just be sure to avoid logging exercise that is already included in that level. See descriptions of each Activity Level below (this information is also available in your Plan section).

Sedentary: Engages in typical activities of daily living (shopping, cooking, laundry, walking a few minutes to and from car/bus/train) but sits for most of the day. Total incidental walking time might be 20 minutes or less. This is equivalent to about a mile of walking (about 2000 steps or so). Sample occupations: computer programmers, office and phone jobs.
Low active: Sedentary activities described above PLUS 30-60 minutes of MODERATE activities (e.g. walks 2 miles at 3-4 mph). Sample occupations: school teachers, cashiers, retail workers, and stay-at-home parents with active children.
Active: Sedentary activities described above PLUS 60-120 minutes of MODERATE activities (e.g. walks more than 7 miles daily). Sample occupations: restaurant servers, light construction workers, cleaning professionals, and nursing.
Very active: Sedentary activities described above PLUS 60 minutes or more of moderate activities PLUS 60 minutes vigorous activity (or 120 minutes or more of moderate activity). Sample occupations: lumberjacks, heavy construction workers, and professional athletes (during competition and training).

Exercise Plan
This feature requires MyNetDiary Premium membership. Here is an example of Anna's plan with exercise:
Entering a weekly Exercise Plan (in Plan section) will increase your Daily Food Calorie Budget by the planned average daily exercise calories. However, those planned average daily exercise calories are not included in your Calorie Budget. The reason for this is simple - MyNetDiary wants to calculate an accurate Calorie Budget for the day. To do that, your actual calories burned from logged exercise is used instead of calories coming from an Exercise Plan that you may or may not have followed that day. If you choose to use this feature, then check to make sure that Add Exercise to Calorie Budget in Settings section is still turned on (that is the default).

MyNetDiary adjusts your Calorie Budget on Dashboard by replacing planned average daily exercise calories with actual calories burned from your Exercise log, even if that is zero calories. However, you do not have to use an Exercise Plan. It is a helpful feature for people who tend to undereat their calories - especially very active people."

It sounds like you have accurately accounted for the number of calories burned through planned activity through syncing with your Apple watch, though want to make sure you are "getting credit," for the calories burned through moving during the day. My advice to you is to continue to fidget and move around, though if your goal is weight loss then I would not suggest adding your extra movement to the app.
Also, if your goal is weight loss, I would suggest turning off the feature "add exercise to calorie budget." That way you aren't eating back the calories burned through activity. If your goal is weight gain, then I would keep this feature turned on.

Let us know what other questions remain. We are happy to help! Best, Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

U1189939120 05/10/21
Thanks so much for the helpful advice and explanation! :)

Dietician 05/11/21 replied to U1189939120
Happy to help. Have a great day! Joanna (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

How does app pull in Apple Watch calories burned?