In this series we pull back the curtain on how real people fuel their lives with real food. Each weekly diary showcases a different MyFitnessPal member’s eating goals, habits, and go-to meals to inspire your own journey, because progress, not perfection, is what really matters.
Today, this is a MyFitnesspal lead engineer in Texas training for a half marathon and focusing on increasing his fiber intake.
Location: Austin, Texas
Occupation: Chief Engineer at MyFitnessPal
Age: 38
Weekly grocery and food budget: I can’t really keep track!
Diet plan: I recently went low-FODMAP
Dietary restrictions: No onions or garlic; limited wheat, barley and rye
Weekly goals:
Weekly calorie goal: 14,000
Daily macro ratios: The only nutrient I focus on is fiber– doctor’s orders!
Typical weekly training schedule: I run about 40-50 miles every day per week.
When did you start learning about the importance of nutrition?
I always “knew” it was important, but I don’t think I really did anything about it until I started realizing that food can positively improve many aspects of my health.
When and why did you start food registration?
I first started logging my nutrition in 2015 (before I even worked at MyFitnessPal!) when I accidentally noticed that I was much heavier than I had internally thought. Since then, I’ve been logging periodically more or less depending on my life goals.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned on your nutrition journey?
There is much more to the food you eat than just the calories it contains. For me, certain foods that most people would consider “healthy” negatively impact my body. Your health is not one-dimensional.
What health or fitness-related goals are you working toward?
I’m training for a half marathon in January, so as part of that I’m working on my healthy running weight again. I have lost about 24 pounds from my goal weight of 30 pounds
How do you plan for life events that could impact your normal nutritional routine? (E.g. holidays, birthdays or wedding parties, etc.)
I normally focus more on the big picture than on individual days or events. For example, I like to think of my calorie budget as weekly instead of daily. If I know I’m going to have a complicated weekend or event, I usually budget for it earlier in the week.
How many times a week do you eat out instead of making your meals at home?
I probably eat half of my meals at home. I eat a lot of it sandwiches.
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7 days of nutrition for real life
Day 1
Breakfast: I started the day with a warm bowl of instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal – comfort food in 90 seconds. I topped it with a sliced banana and a handful of blueberries for that extra “look, I’m eating fruit!” energy. Total: 433 calories
Lunch: Around noon, I grabbed a chicken bowl from Waba Grill. Lean proteins, check. Rice, check. Vegetables, check. Honestly, this is my go-to when I want something filling but don’t at heavy. Total: 640 calories
Dinner: Okay, balance. I ended the day with a medium cheeseburger and a portion of crispy, straight-cut fries. Sometimes you just are need the hamburger. No regrets. Total: 681 calories
Daily total: 1,754 calories
Day 2
Breakfast: My go-to: instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal, topped with banana and blueberries. Easy, reliable and gets the job done.
Lunch: I grabbed a bagel from the deli and spread some cream cheese on it. Simple, meager happiness.
Dinner: I ended the day with a medium poke bowl from the local Poke food truck. Ahi Tuna and salmon, rice, all the toppings… Honestly, poke always feels like the right choice, even if the calories pile up a bit.
Daily total: 1,547 calories
Weekend update
I took a little break from food logging. Sometimes you just have to enjoy your meals without having to do the math!
Day 5
Breakfast: Back to the routine: instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal with banana and blueberries. Why mess with perfection?
Lunch: I grabbed an Italian panini at the local bodega and chose the best verified option in the app. It hit the spot and didn’t take much effort.
Dinner: Jimmy John’s is coming for dinner! I went for number 7 – with the bread, not a dewitcher. Sometimes you just need the full sandwich experience.
Daily total: 1,533 calories
December 6
Breakfast: You guessed it: instant brown sugar maple oatmeal with blueberries and bananas. It’s reliable and I love it.
Lunch: I leaned into my Jimmy John’s streak and ordered the Spicy East Coast Italian again – this time like a magic wand. The lettuce wrap makes it feel lighter yet filling.
Dinner: Two slices of pepperoni pizza to end the day. Sometimes pizza just calls your name. Total: 496 calories.
Daily total: 1,379 calories
December 7
Breakfast: Instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal again, with sliced banana and blueberries for some extra whole fruit nutritional value. A classic cannot be beaten.
Lunch: I walked by Thundercloud Subs and grabbed a New York Italian sandwich. I paired it with a side of Sun Chips because let’s face it, sandwiches are better with chips.
Dinner: Dinner with friends at a local brewery! I kept it simple with an order of Lemon Pepper Wings. Delicious, shareable and not too heavy.
Daily total: 1,505 calories
The mail A week of fiber-rich meals as a runner appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.