GENERAL
Q. Is this site really free?
Q. Is this site really free?
A. Yes, this site really is free! Unlike a lot of other diet and nutrition websites, you can use ALL of the features of our site at absolutely no cost. We don't have a "premium" membership — all of our features are always available to all of our members. As a MyFitnessPal member, you'll never be charged a cent.
<< hide this answer
Q. Can I really lose weight using MyFitnessPal?
Q. Can I really lose weight using MyFitnessPal?
A. Yes, you can! We have lots of members who've successfully reached their weight loss goals and shared their success on our message boards. Here are some sample success stories users have posted:
HIt My Original Goal Today!!
I've stuck with it for a month!!
New and Loving it
Our tools simply provide you with the information you need to eat healthier and smarter. There's no magic trick involved. People who use our site and stick with it can reach their goals — it's that simple.
<< hide this answer
Q. How does MyFitnessPal work?
Q. How does MyFitnessPal work?
A. Using MyFitnessPal is very simple. Here's how our basic process works:
1. Based on your fitness profile, we'll recommend a daily net calorie target for you to achieve your weight loss (or gain) goals.
2. As you eat and exercise throughout the day, you need to log your meals and exercise in our Food and Exercise diaries. MyFitnessPal will calculate the number of calories you've consumed and burned from exercise and let you know how many calories you have left to eat for the day. If you stick within your calorie limits, you should achieve the weight loss you're looking for.
3. The best part of our system is that logging gets easier the more you do it. MyFitnessPal remembers the foods and exercises you like most and makes it easy for you to add those items to your diary. In just a few days, logging can be as fast as 30 seconds — it's literally that easy.
4. Periodically (we recommend once a week), you should weigh yourself and check-in your new weight with the site using our Check-In feature. Checking in your weight allows us to track your progress over time and also adjust your calorie goals to reflect your new weight.
That's it! Just a few minutes a day can show you so much about what you're eating and how that impacts your health.
<< hide this answer
FOOD DIARY AND FOOD DATABASE
Q. How do I add a food to my food diary?
Q. How do I add a food to my food diary?
A. To add a food to your food diary, just take the following steps:
1. Click on the "Food" tab to go to your diary, then click on "Add Food" under the meal you'd like to log.
2. Type in the name of the food you'd like to add into the search box and click "Search."
3. You'll be shown a list of foods in our database that match your query. Click on the item you'd like to add, and that food should appear in the grey box to the right.
4. Enter in the number of servings you ate and the serving size, then click
"Add Food to Diary."
That's it! Your food should now be logged in your diary.
<< hide this answer
Q. What is the Most Frequently Used Items list for?
Q. What is the Most Frequently Used Items list for?
A. Most of us tend to eat the same foods every day for each meal. MyFitnessPal takes advantage of that to make logging your meals easier.
As you log what you've eaten, MyFitnessPal remembers what you like to eat in your "Most Frequently Used Items" list. You can then add any items from those list just by checking the box and clicking the "Add Checked Items To Meal" button.
The more you log, the easier it gets!
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I add a food to my Most Frequently Used Items list?
Q. How do I add a food to my Most Frequently Used Items list?
A. Foods are added to your Most Frequently Used Items list automatically based on how often you add them to your diary. As you add items to your diary, they will appear on your list if you add them frequently enough. There isn't anything special that you need to do to make an item appear on the list.
<< hide this answer
Q. Can you delete foods off your Most Frequently Used Items list?
Q. Can you delete foods off your Most Frequently Used Items list?
A. This is a feature that we hope to implement in the future. At this time, however, you cannot delete items from your Most Frequently Used Items list.
<< hide this answer
Q. Can I sort my Most Frequently Used Items list by name instead of by frequency?
Q. Can I sort my Most Frequently Used Items list by name instead of by frequency?
A. Yes, you can. At the top right of your Most Frequently Used Item list, in the Sort By section, click on Name and your list will be sorted alphabetically instead of by frequency.
<< hide this answer
Q. The food I want to log is not in your database. How do I add my own foods?
Q. The food I want to log is not in your database. How do I add my own foods?
A. It's easy to add a personal food to your database. Just click on "Add Food" to the meal you'd like to add your new food to. Then click on "Enter a Food Not Listed" next to the search box. You'll be taken to a page where you can add the nutritional information for the food you'd like to add to the database. Once you're finished entering in your data, just click the "Save Food" button.
To add your new food to your diary, just search for it like any other food. For example, if the food you created was called "Mike's homemade apple pie", you could just search for "Mike's apple pie." Your food will appear in the search results, and you can add it to your log like any other food in our database.
When you are creating a new food, you can also help us grow our database by electing to share your food with other members. We'll review your submission and add it to the MyFitnessPal database for everyone to use. If you do decide to share your food, please do your best to ensure that the information you provide is complete and accurate.
<< hide this answer
Q. I made a mistake when entering a personal food. How can I edit or delete a food I've created?
Q. I made a mistake when entering a personal food. How can I edit or delete a food I've created?
A. To edit or delete a personal food, click on the "Food" tab, then click on "My Foods." Search for the food you'd like to edit or delete, then click on that item in the search results. The food you want to edit should appear in the chart to the right. Just click on the "Edit" or "Delete" button to make modifications to your food.
<< hide this answer
Q. I added a food to the database, and elected to share it with other members. Why can't anyone else see it yet?
Q. I added a food to the database, and elected to share it with other members. Why can't anyone else see it yet?
A. We review all of the foods submitted to the database for accuracy and to ensure that the item hasn't already been added. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, there may be a delay before your food is visible to other members.
We are working on a system where foods will be accessible in a much shorter time, so hopefully you will see some improvements here shortly.
<< hide this answer
Q. What are meals? How do I remember a Meal, and how do I then add that Meal to my diary?
Q. What are meals? How do I remember a Meal, and how do I then add that Meal to my diary?
A. For foods that you regularly eat together, saving them as a Meal lets you easily add them to your diary as a group.
For example, you can create a Meal called "Two eggs and cereal breakfast" consisting of two eggs and a bowl of cereal. You can then add "Two eggs and cereal breakfast" at once instead of adding each item separately.
To create a Meal, just add the items for that Meal to one section of your diary, then click on "Remember Meal".
To add a remembered Meal to your diary, just search for it by name (i.e. search for "Two eggs and cereal breakfast") and add it like you would any other food.
<< hide this answer
Q. Can I edit a remembered Meal?
Q. Can I edit a remembered Meal?
A. At this time, you cannot edit a remembered Meal. Instead, you should just delete that Meal and recreate it. We are working on a Meal editing function and hope to have it available shortly.
<< hide this answer
Q. How can I change the nutrients that are tracked in my diary? Can I track more than 4?
Q. How can I change the nutrients that are tracked in my diary? Can I track more than 4?
A. You can customize which nutrients are tracked in your diary. Just click on the "Food" tab, then click on the "Settings" link. On the following page, you can customize which nutrients in addition to calories that are tracked in your diary. You may track up to 6 toal nutrients, one of which must be calories.
<< hide this answer
Q. I am trying to eat lots of small meals each day. Can I show more meals on my food diary, and can I track them by time of day?
Q. I am trying to eat lots of small meals each day. Can I show more meals on my food diary, and can I track them by time of day?
A. To customize the way your diary is split into meals, just click on the "Food" tab, then click on the "Settings" link. You'll be taken to a page where you can change both the names of the meals used in your food diary, as well as the number of meals tracked.
For example, to track your eating habits by time, you could change your meal names to "9AM to 11AM", "11AM to 1PM", etc.
To delete a meal, just edit the meal name to be blank. Please note that previous food diary entries will also have their meal names changed.
<< hide this answer
Q. Is there a way to see a full report of the nutrients tracked in my diary?
Q. Is there a way to see a full report of the nutrients tracked in my diary?
A. To view a printable, full report of your food diary, just click on the "Food" tab, then click on the "View Full Report (Printable)" button at the bottom of the page.
You'll be taken to a page where you can select the date range you'd like to view, as well as which elements of your food and exercise diaries you'd like to see in the report. You can then print the page and share it with a nutritionist or keep a copy of it for your records.
<< hide this answer
Q. I need to print my diaries for an entire week so that I can share it with my doctor or nutritionist. How can I do that?
Q. I need to print my diaries for an entire week so that I can share it with my doctor or nutritionist. How can I do that?
A. Just click on the "Food" tab, then click on the "View Full Report (Printable)" button at the bottom of the page.
You'll be taken to a page where you can choose the date range you'd like to view along with the elements of your food and exercise diaries you'd like to include in your report. Just click the "Change Report" button and you'll see a printable view of your diary for the time period you selected.
<< hide this answer
EXERCISE DIARY AND EXERCISE DATABASE
Q. How do I add an exercise to my exercise diary?
Q. How do I add an exercise to my exercise diary?
A. To add an exercise to your exercise diary, just take the following steps:
1. Click on the "Exercise" tab to go to your diary, then click on "Add Exercise" under the type of exercise you'd like to log.
2. Type in the name of the exercise you'd like to add into the search box and click "Search."
3. You'll be shown a list of exercises in our database that match your query. Click on the item you'd like to add, and that exercise should appear in the grey box to the right.
4. Enter in the amount of exercise that you performed, then click "Add Exercise to Diary."
That's it! Your exercise should now be logged in your diary.
<< hide this answer
Q. What is the Most Frequently Used Items list?
Q. What is the Most Frequently Used Items list?
A. Most of us tend to perform the same exercises in our workout routines. MyFitnessPal takes advantage of that to make logging your workouts easier.
As you log what exercises you've performed, MyFitnessPal remembers what you like to do in your "Most Frequently Used Items" list. You can then add any items from those list just by checking the box and clicking the "Add Checked Items To Diary" button.
The more you log, the easier it gets!
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I add an exercise to my Most Frequently Used Items list?
Q. How do I add an exercise to my Most Frequently Used Items list?
A. Exercises are added to your Most Frequently Used Items list automatically based on how often you add them to your diary. As you add items to your diary, they will appear on your list if you add them frequently enough. There isn't anything special that you need to do to make an item appear on the list.
<< hide this answer
Q. Can you delete exercises off your Most Frequently Used Items list?
Q. Can you delete exercises off your Most Frequently Used Items list?
A. This is a feature that we hope to implement in the future. At this time, however, you cannot delete items from your Most Frequently Used Items list.
<< hide this answer
Q. Can I sort my Most Frequently Used Items list by name instead of by frequency?
Q. Can I sort my Most Frequently Used Items list by name instead of by frequency?
A. Yes, you can. At the top right of your Most Frequently Used Item list, in the Sort By section, click on Name and your list will be sorted alphabetically instead of by frequency.
<< hide this answer
Q. The exercise I want to add to my diary is not in your database. How do I create my own exercise?
Q. The exercise I want to add to my diary is not in your database. How do I create my own exercise?
A. It's easy to add a personal exercise to your database. Just click on "Add Exercise" under the type of exercise you'd like to add. Then click on "Enter an Exercise Not Listed" next to the search box. You'll be taken to a page where you can describe the exercise you'd like to add. Once you're finished entering in your data, just click the "Save Exercise" button.
To add your new exercise to your diary, just search for it like any other exercise. For example, if the exercise you created was called "leg lifts", you could just search for "leg lists." Your exercise will appear in the search results, and you can add it to your log like any other exercise in our database.
<< hide this answer
Q. The calories burned number shown on my machine at the gym doesn't match what MyFitnessPal is estimating. What should I do?
Q. The calories burned number shown on my machine at the gym doesn't match what MyFitnessPal is estimating. What should I do?
A. If you know exactly how many calories you burned from a machine at the gym, you can manually enter that number into your diary.
Just search for the exercise in our database, click on it in the search results, and type in the exact number of calories you burned in the "Calories Burned" box to the right. That number will be saved in your diary.
<< hide this answer
Q. Doesn't strength training burn calories? Why don't you show any calories burned for strength training?
Q. Doesn't strength training burn calories? Why don't you show any calories burned for strength training?
A. Estimating the calories burned from strength training is very difficult because it depends on a variety of factors: how much weight you lifted per repetition, how vigorously you performed that exercise, how much rest you took between sets, etc. Because of this, we do not automatically calculate how many calories you burned from strength training exercises.
However, if you'd like, you can add "Strength training" as a cardio exercise to get a rough estimate of how many calories you burned. Please be aware though that this is definitely a rough estimate and can be fairly inaccurate.
<< hide this answer
Q. I made a mistake when entering a personal exercise. How can I edit or delete a exercise I've created?
Q. I made a mistake when entering a personal exercise. How can I edit or delete a exercise I've created?
A. To edit or delete a personal exercise, click on the "Exercise" tab, then click on "My Exercises." Search for the exercise you'd like to edit or delete, then click on that item in the search results. The exercise you want to edit should appear in the chart to the right. Just click on the "Edit" or "Delete" button to make modifications to your exercise.
<< hide this answer
Q. I need to print my diaries for an entire week so that I can share it with my doctor or trainer. How can I do that?
Q. I need to print my diaries for an entire week so that I can share it with my doctor or trainer. How can I do that?
A. Just click on the "Exercise" tab, then click on the "View Full Report (Printable)" button at the bottom of the page.
You'll be taken to a page where you can choose the date range you'd like to view along with the elements of your food and exercise diaries you'd like to include in your report. Just click the "Change Report" button and you'll see a printable view of your diary for the time period you selected.
<< hide this answer
GOALS AND CHECK-IN
Q. How do I change by diet and fitness goals?
Q. How do I change by diet and fitness goals?
A. To change your diet and fitness goals, just click on the "My Home" tab, click on "Goals", then click on the "Change Goals" button.
You'll see two options: guided and custom. In the guided option, MyFitnessPal will recommend a set of diet and fitness goals for you based on your diet profile. In the custom option, you can set your own customized calorie and nutrition goals.
<< hide this answer
Q. I want to use a different set of goals than what MyFitnessPal recommends. How can I customize my nutrition goals?
Q. I want to use a different set of goals than what MyFitnessPal recommends. How can I customize my nutrition goals?
A. To customize your nutrition goals, click on the "My Home" tab, then click on "Goals", then "Change Goals". Choose the "Custom" option, and you'll be taken to a page where you can set your goals to whatever values you'd like.
<< hide this answer
Q. I've lost some weight. Will MyFitnessPal automatically adjust my goals for me based on my new weight?
Q. I've lost some weight. Will MyFitnessPal automatically adjust my goals for me based on my new weight?
A. Every time you record your weight in our system, MyFitnessPal checks to see if you've lost 10 pounds since the last time your goals were calculated. If so, we'll ask you if you'd like to reset your goals based on your new weight.
<< hide this answer
Q. How often should I record my weight and other measurements on MyFitnessPal?
Q. How often should I record my weight and other measurements on MyFitnessPal?
A. We recommended recording your weight and other measurements once a week. Our system will allow you to record them as often as you'd like, but your weight can fluctuate quite a bit daily which is why we recommend a weekly check-in.
<< hide this answer
Q. Can I change what measurements I'm tracking?
Q. Can I change what measurements I'm tracking?
A. Yes, you can. Just go to "My Home", then click "Check-in", then "Change measurements." On that page, you can customize your measurements and track whatever you'd like.
<< hide this answer
Q. I made a mistake when checking in a measurement or weight. How can I edit past entries?
Q. I made a mistake when checking in a measurement or weight. How can I edit past entries?
A. You can edit past entries by going to the "My Home" tab, clicking on "Check-in", then clicking on the "Edit Previous Entries" button.
<< hide this answer
PROFILE, FRIENDS, AND MAIL
Q. How do I create my public profile page?
Q. How do I create my public profile page?
A. It's easy to create your public profile page. Just go to the "My Home" tab, click on "Profile", then click the "Edit Profile" button.
Once your changes are saved, your profile page will be automatically updated.
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I add a friend?
Q. How do I add a friend?
A. To add a friend, just go to that member's profile page and click the "Add As Friend" button. A friend request will be sent to that user, and if they accept, your profiles will be linked as friends.
To find a member's profile page, just go to http://www.myfitnesspal.com/[USERNAME] but replace [USERNAME] with their actual username.
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I send another user mail?
Q. How do I send another user mail?
A. You can send another MyFitnessPal member mail by going to their profile page and clicking on the "Send Message" button, or by going to the "My Home" tab, then clicking on "Mail", then the "Send Message" button.
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I read my mail?
Q. How do I read my mail?
A. Just go to the "My Home" tab, then click on "Mail".
<< hide this answer
Q. How can I see my sent messages?
Q. How can I see my sent messages?
A. Go to the "My Home" tab, then click on "Mail". At the top left, next to "Inbox", click on "Sent Messages" and you'll be taken to a page where you can see all of your sent messages.
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I upload a photo?
Q. How do I upload a photo?
A. Go to the "My Home" tab, and just to the right of where your photo should be, you'll see a link labeled "Edit Photos". Just click on that link and you'll be taken to a page where you can upload any photo from your computer.
<< hide this answer
WEIGHT LOSS TICKERS
Q. Where can I create a weight loss ticker?
Q. Where can I create a weight loss ticker?
A. Click on the "Tools" tab, then click on the "Tickers" link in the light blue bar below the tabs. That will take you to the section of the site where you can create your ticker.
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I add a ticker to my forum signature?
Q. How do I add a ticker to my forum signature?
A. Here's a quick explanation of how to add a weight loss ticker to your forum signature:
1. First, click on the "Tools" tab, then click on "Tickers" in the light blue bar below the tabs to reach the section of the site where you can create your ticker.
2. Follow the steps to create your ticker. They should (hopefully) be self-explanatory.
3. When your ticker has been completed, you'll be shown two boxes with code in them to display your ticker. Click on the box on the left (BBCode) - this is the code you need to use on the MyFitnessPal message boards. Highlight all of the code in that box (most browsers will do this automatically once you click on the box). If the code is not all highlighted, you can right-click on the box and choose "Select All"
4. Once you have highlighted all of the code, right click on the code and choose "Copy."
5. Now click on the "My Home" tab, then click "Settings" in the light blue bar below the tabs, and finally, click on the "Change forum signature" link.
6. Right-click in the box where you can type your forum signature and choose "Paste."
7. Finally, click "Save Changes."
Once you've saved your new forum signature, every post you've ever made should now display your ticker at the bottom of it. You don't need to create a new post to test your ticker - just look at any previous post, and the ticker will be displayed there if you've followed the steps properly.
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I update my ticker to reflect my current weight?
Q. How do I update my ticker to reflect my current weight?
A. To update your ticker, go to "Tools", then click "Tickers" in the light blue bar below the tabs. Next, click on "Update your weight data" and you'll be taken to a screen showing what we think your current weight is. Just change that value to whatever your actual current weight is and click "Save Changes."
Your ticker will then be updated to reflect your new weight. The changes will be reflected everywhere you have displayed your ticker automatically - you don't need to do anything else.
<< hide this answer
Q. How can I change the starting weight or goal weight on my ticker?
Q. How can I change the starting weight or goal weight on my ticker?
A. To change the starting weight or goal weight on your ticker, go to "Tools", then click "Tickers" in the light blue bar below the tabs. Next, click on "Update your weight data" and you'll be taken to a screen showing the starting weight and goal weight we have recorded. Just make whatever changes you'd like to those values and click "Save Changes."
Your ticker will then be updated to reflect your new starting and goal weights. The changes will be reflected everywhere you have displayed your ticker automatically - you don't need to do anything else.
<< hide this answer
YOUR ACCOUNT
Q. How do I change my username?
Q. How do I change my username?
A. Go to "My Home", click on "Settings", then click on "Change username." When you change your username, all of your previous posts and messages will be updated to reflect your new username.
Please note, however, that you can only change your username once. After you've changed your username, you will not be able to change it again, so please make sure to choose carefully.
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I change my password?
Q. How do I change my password?
A. Click on the "My Home" tab, then click on "Settings", then "Change password."
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I change my email address?
Q. How do I change my email address?
A. Click on "My Home", then click on "Settings", then "Change email address/email preferences."
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I unsubscribe from MyFitnessPal email notifications and newsletters?
Q. How do I unsubscribe from MyFitnessPal email notifications and newsletters?
A. Go to "My Home", then click on "Settings", then "Change email address/email preferences". On that page, you can subscribe or unsubscribe to all of our different mailings.
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I switch between English and Metric measurements?
Q. How do I switch between English and Metric measurements?
A. Go to "My Home", then click on "Settings", then "Switch to Metric measurements."
<< hide this answer
Q. Can I change my time zone?
Q. Can I change my time zone?
A. Yes, you can. Just click on the "My Home" tab, then click on "Settings", then click "Change time zone." From that page, you can set your local time zone and all dates and times on the site will be adjusted accordingly.
<< hide this answer
Q. How do I delete my account?
Q. How do I delete my account?
A. You can delete your account by going to the "My Home" tab, then clicking on "Settings", then "Delete account."
Please be aware that by deleting your account, all of the foods and exercises you've created as well as your diary entries will be deleted. You will not be able to recover them once you delete your account.
<< hide this answer
