If you are looking for how to use MyFitnessPal correctly, look no further. Today I’m going to take you through a few steps that I have learned using MyFitnessPal daily. After all, it is one of the BEST (if not the best) calorie and diet trackers out there today. I use both the online version via MyFitnessPal.com and the Mobile App.
When to comes to losing weight and tracking calories, it comes down to the plan! Today I’ll show you how you can get an easy plan (or follow one I’ve used before), and plug it into MyFitnessPal. At the end of this post I also have a few tips on how to get the most out of this program too.
How to Use MyFitnessPal – Step-by-Step Walkthrough
The first step before watching the video is to determine your plan. If you are doing one of our Team Sweet Life challenges, you should follow the nutrition guide that came with your program. Some of the best nutrition guides I have seen are the P90X Fat Shredder Plan and the P90X3 Nutrition Guide.
For example, the P90X Fat Shredder plan calls for a split of 50/30/20 split. This means 50% of calories should be Protein. 30% should be Carbohydrates. 20% should be Fat. In P90X3, the optimal plan is 30 P/40 C/30 F split.
Check out this video for the full walk-through on How to Use MyFitnessPal. Even if you aren’t using P90X or P90X3 as an example, using the same macros I listed in the last sentence can help you with any exercise plan.
=>Click here to get your Free MyFitnessPal account (Add me! My screen name is CoolRunLT)
To recap the video, here are some tips on how to use MyFitnessPal correctly:
1. Use a Plan! – Whether it’s the P90X Fat Shredder diet of 50% protein / 30% Carbs / 20% Fat, or your own macro-nutrients, solidify that plan.
2. Plan your Plan! – A day in advance, at least outline your food game plan to avoid eating off course. If you eat a different type of dinner/breakfast/etc, just do the necessary adjustments. I recommend using the App
3. Stay Consistent! – If you want the abs and/or the weight loss, you have to follow a plan for more than a few weeks (or months). My recommendation? At least 90 days of consistency. Do that and you’ll not only feel amazing, you’ll look amazing too.
Last but not least, add me to MyFitnessPal! My screen name is CoolRunLT. Come see what I eat everyday (I do not claim to be a perfect eater, so you’ll see when I cheat too!). Join me and let’s hold each other accountable to living a healthy, fulfilling life!
Here are a few nutrition guides that you can use alongside of MyFitnessPal:
Coach Bob
Want the ultimate package of fun and fitness success? Join me on Team Beachbody for Free!
T25 User says
I am starting t-25 on Monday and I recently started my fitness pal this past week. I am wondering how many calories I should be consuming while doing t25?
My fitness pal says I should be eating 2150 calories a day due to my body type and I am wondering if that number should remain the same while using t25 or should it change for the best possible results.
Thanks
SweetLifeCoach says
@T25 User great job on starting up T25 and great job on using MyFitnessPal (that is key!). I would agree with MyFitnessPal, and really wish the guide was better at explaining the deal.
One question – how active are you outside of T25? Do you have a desk job or are you generally active, walking, etc?
I’d recommend sticking with around 1900-2100 calories per day, and check out the T25 nutrition guide post for some more tips: http://sweetlifefitness.net/focus-t25-nutrition-guide/
Thanks!
Coach Bob
MaryChristineCaro says
Hi, I am just starting t-25 but so far I have just been making healthy choices that I think are okay. I haven’t been following an nutrition guides of the sort. This is because each day I do not have the time to go through one of the guides and make the meals. I want to know where is a reliable source that gives you directions for healthy of week groceries and meal prep instructions that sets you up for the whole week. And maybe even suggestions on finding more affordable produce!
SweetLifeCoach says
MaryChristineCaro Hey thanks for stopping by! Meal prep, as you mention, is the KEY to success with eating right and proper nutrition. There are some resources directly within TeamBeachbody.com that can help put together the basics on meal prep along with some tools I share within the Team Sweet Life community. Feel free to connect with me and we can get you set: http://sweetlifefitness.net/join-sweet-life-free/
ashbright says
Hi, Thanks for the informative videos and details you share with everyone. Awesome Stuff.
I just started my P90x3 journey and with that I also starting logging my meals into MyFitnessPa.
I have a quick question that I was hoping
you can help me clarify.
I did the P90x3 Nutrition quiz and I am
on plan B. According to the guide, the portions for plan B are shown in the image below.
For Breakfast every day I eat two
original (plain and unsalted) rice cakes with 100% almond butter, 1 tablespoon
of almond butter on each rice cake. With that I eat an apple as well. I also
have a large cup (18oz) of coffee with a good 1/3 cup of 2% milk.
When I enter my breakfast details into
MyFitnesspal, here is the breakdown I get:
How should I understand the totals in
myfitnesspal against the portion numbers (sizes) listed for breakfast according
to the P90x3 nutrition guide? Am I over consuming on the protein, fats, and
carbs?
Thank you very much in advance!
Ash
SweetLifeCoach says
ashbright Hey great question! I have to admit that the portion sizes have always been a bit frustrating when adding them into MFP. One question for you: at the end of the day in My Fitness Pal, do you hit your goals for P, C, and F?
ashbright says
SweetLifeCoach ashbright Hey and thanks for the response. Since I started tracking my nutrition in MFP, I come under my goals on all categories.
See the screen capture for my result from yesterday. I guess I am doing alright, It just seemed strange reading the portion sizes in the P90X3 guide and compare them with the numbers in MFP. Was not sure if it was meant to present a ratio or a specific size.
SweetLifeCoach says
ashbright SweetLifeCoach Ok great! Keep rocking. Just know that the calories that are in the X3 nutrition guide already factor in the average calorie burn. I noticed in your one screen shot it says “you’ve earned 534 extra calories” – if you are looking to tone up, only follow and hit the calories per the nutrition guide.
Time to Bring It!
Chris89 says
Hello would one packet of shakeology equal 2 proteins for p90x3? And also 5 large egg whites would be considered 5 eggs correct?
SweetLifeCoach says
@Chris89 one packet would equal 1 protein portion, and 4 egg whites are considered 1 protein (or alternatively 2 whole eggs). I know that sounds a bit different but after testing and the recent launch of Beachbody’s portion control system, these portions were more accurate and yielded better results over time.
Keep bringing it!
cb13 says
I know in your video you mentioned that you have other methods of tracking your fitness. Does that pair up with the P90X3 workouts? I use myfitnesspal for my exercise tracking as well, but their exercise database does not have those workouts in the system. What would you recommend to effectively track exercise with X3 as far as calories burned? I feel like that if the best way to understand the net calories.
Thanks
SweetLifeCoach says
cb13 For tracking your fitness, I’d recommend getting a heart rate monitor. Either a Polar Watch, or even a FitBit which is what I’ve been tracking with lately…great great stats: http://sweetlifefitness.net/fitbit-charge-hr-review/
GetItDone says
Hi there 🙂
Ok. I got the app and am on plan A. 1500 calories, 40 C 30 F and 30 P. I do this because I did atkins since January and nothing is happening anymore. Neither on the scale or inches (gained on thighs, arms and waist, lost 1 inch on hips though)my main problem is my hip area ;)… but! I’m afraid now because 40 % carbs is A LOT compared to atkins phase 1 and 2. And my proteins are a bit over my goals. Other than that I hit my goals. Will this work for me or will I gain weight?? Because of atkins I ate a lot of fat and proteins and got less and less hungry. I’m not used to big portions anymore. I feel so full after eating. But I can’t eat more smaller portions because I just don’t have the appetite. I’ve lost 10 pounds since January and now I’m fed up and want to try it a different way. I’m in week 6 of p90x3 now and never missed a day. I’m currently 140lb and 5’7…means: since I started px I’ve gained 3 lbs :(( I want to loose fat and gain muscle because I’m the “skinny-fat” type. I’m sorry it’s a long text…and because of my english :p I hope you can help
SweetLifeCoach says
@GetItDone Thanks for stopping by! P90X3 does take a bit more energy, so the plateau you are experiencing could be your body wanting more fuel so it can become more efficient (aka a lean, mean, fighting machine!). Eating more calories, as long as they are wholesome foods and clean, won’t necessarily put on bad fats as you continue to bring it each day. In the first couple of weeks I did gain some pounds; however make sure you take the time to focus on measuring your inches too. Take a seamstress measuring tape and measure hips, waist, chest, arms, and thighs. If they are reducing, that means your body fat percentage is going down and that is what really counts. You got this!! Keep me posted on your journey!