In this series, we’ll pull back the curtain on how real people are sustaining themselves through real-life nutrition. Each weekly journal showcases a different MyFitnessPal member’s dietary goals, habits and go-to meals to inspire your own journey – because what’s really important is progress, not perfection.
Today, a MyFitnesspal lead engineer in Texas is training for a half marathon and focusing on increasing his fiber intake.
Place：Austin, Texas
Profession：MyFitnessPal Chief Engineer
age:38
Weekly Grocery and Food Budget: I really didn’t pay attention!
meal plan: My FODMAP is very low recently
dietary restrictions: No onions or garlic; limited wheat, barley and rye
Weekly goals:
weekly calorie goals: 14,000
daily macro ratios: The only nutrient I focus on is fiber – just what the doctor ordered!
Typical weekly exercise plan: I run every day, about 40-50 miles a week.
When did you first understand the importance of nutrition?
I always “knew” it was important, but I don’t think I really did anything about it until I began to realize that food could positively improve many aspects of my health.
When and why did you start food journaling?
I first started tracking my food in 2015 (even before I worked at MyFitnessPal!) when I unexpectedly discovered that I weighed a lot more than I had internally imagined. From then on, I journaled more or less regularly depending on my life goals.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned on your nutrition journey?
The foods you eat are much more than the calories they contain. For me, certain foods that most people consider “healthy” have a negative impact on 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’ve been working on getting back to a healthy running weight. My weight loss goal was 30 pounds and I lost about 24 pounds
How do you plan for life events that may impact your normal nutritional habits? (e.g. holidays, birthday or wedding related parties, etc.)
I usually focus more on the big picture rather than individual days or events. For example, I like to think of my calorie budget as weekly rather than daily. If I know I’m going to have a complicated weekend or event, I usually budget it earlier in the week.
How often do you eat out each week instead of cooking at home?
I eat probably half of my meals at home. I ate a lot of sandwiches.
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7 Days of Real Life Nutrition
first day
breakfast: I start the day with a hot bowl of instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal—comfort food in 90 seconds. I topped it with a banana slice and a handful of blueberries for an added “Look, I’m eating fruit!” feeling. vitality. Total: 433 calories
Lunch: At noon, I bought a chicken bowl from Waba Grill. Lean protein, check it out. Rice, check. Vegetables, check. Honestly, this is my go-to when I want to fill my belly but don’t feel like eating also Heavy. Total: 640 calories
dinner: Well, balance it out. I ended the day with a medium cheeseburger and a side of crispy straight cut fries. sometimes you just need hamburger. No regrets. Total: 681 calories
Daily total: 1,754 calories
the next day
breakfast: My go-to: Instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal topped with bananas and blueberries. Simple, reliable and gets the job done.
Lunch: I grabbed a bagel from the deli and slathered it with cream cheese. Simple, simple happiness.
dinner: I ended the day with a medium poke bowl from the nearby poke food truck. Tuna and salmon, rice, all the fixings…honestly, poke always feels like the right choice, even if the calories increase a bit.
Daily total: 1,547 calories
weekend update
I took a break and recorded the food. Sometimes you just need to enjoy the food without doing the math!
fifth day
breakfast: Back to the regular – Instant Brown Sugar Maple Oatmeal with Bananas and Blueberries. Why destroy perfection?
Lunch: I ordered a panini from the local tavern, choosing the best tried-and-true option on the app. It’s just right and doesn’t require much effort.
dinner: Jimmy John’s is having dinner! I chose number 7 – with bread, not wizard. Sometimes you just want the full sandwich experience.
Daily total: 1,533 calories
December 6
breakfast: You guessed it: Instant Brown Sugar Maple Oatmeal with Blueberries and Banana. It’s reliable and I like it.
Lunch: In true Jimmy John’s fashion, I ordered spicy East Coast Italian again—this time as a wizard. The lettuce wrap made it feel lighter but still 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: It’s instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal again, plus banana slices and blueberries for added whole fruit goodness. Can’t beat the classics.
Lunch: I walked by Thundercloud Subs and bought a New York Italian sandwich. I paired it with Sun Chips because honestly, the sandwich is better with chips.
dinner: Dinner at a local brewery with friends! I simply ordered a lemon pepper chicken wings. Delicious, shareable, and not too heavy.
Daily total: 1,505 calories
The post Fiber-Rich Meals for a Runner’s Week appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.
