In this series, we pull back the curtain on how real people fuel their lives with real-life nutrition. Each weekly diary will showcase a different MyFitnessPal member’s eating goals, habits, and go-to meals to inspire your own journey—because progress, not perfection, is what truly matters.
Today, a MyFitnesspal Principal Engineer in Texas who’s training for a half-marathon and focusing on increasing his fiber intake.
Location: Austin, Texas
Occupation: Principal Engineer at MyFitnessPal
Age: 38
Weekly grocery & food budget: I don’t really keep track!
Diet plan: I’ve recently gone low-FODMAP
Dietary limitations: 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 Workout Schedule: I run everyday, about 40-50 miles each week.
When did you start learning about the importance of nutrition?
I’ve always “known” it’s important, but I don’t think I truly did anything about it until I started realizing food can positively improve many aspects of my health.
When and why did you start food logging?
I first started logging my foods in 2015 (before I even worked at MyFitnessPal!) when I accidentally found myself much heavier than I had internally thought. Since then I will periodically log more or less depending on my life goals.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your nutrition journey?
The foods you eat are far more than just the calories they contain. For me, certain foods that most people would consider “healthy” negatively impact my body. Your health isn’t 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 back towards my healthy running weight. I’m down about 24 lbs of my 30 lb weight loss goal
How do you plan for life events that may impact your normal nutrition routine? (E.g., vacations, birthday or wedding-related parties, etc.)
I typically focus more on the big picture rather than individual days or events. For instance, I like to think of my calorie budget being weekly, rather than daily. If I know I’m going to have a complicated weekend or event, I typically budget for it earlier in the week.
How often do you eat out each week, versus make your meals at home?
I probably eat half of my meals at home. I eat a lot of sandwiches.
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7-Days of Nutrition For Real Life
Day 1
Breakfast: I kicked off 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: By midday, I grabbed a chicken bowl from Waba Grill. Lean protein, check. Rice, check. Veggies, check. Honestly, it’s my go-to when I want something filling but not too heavy. Total: 640 calories
Dinner: Okay, balance. I wrapped up the day with a medium cheeseburger and a side of crispy, straight-cut french fries. Sometimes you just need the burger. 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 slathered on some cream cheese. Simple, carby happiness.
Dinner: I ended the day with a medium poke bowl from the neighborhood Poke food truck. Ahi Tuna and salmon, rice, all the toppings… Honestly, poke always feels like the right choice, even if the calories stack up a bit.
Daily total: 1,547 calories
Weekend Update
I took a little food-logging break. Sometimes you just need to enjoy your meals without doing the math!
Day 5
Breakfast: Back on the routine—instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal with banana and blueberries. Why mess with perfection?
Lunch: I picked up an Italian panini from the local bodega, went with the top verified option in the app. It hit the spot and didn’t require much effort.
Dinner: Jimmy John’s for dinner! I went for the Number 7—with the bread, not an unwitch. Sometimes you just need the full sandwich experience.
Daily total: 1,533 calories
Dec 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 as an unwitch. The lettuce wrap makes it feel lighter but still filling.
Dinner: Two slices of pepperoni pizza to cap off the day. Sometimes, pizza just calls your name. Total: 496 calories.
Daily total: 1,379 calories
Dec 7
Breakfast: Instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal again, with sliced banana and blueberries for some added whole fruit nutrition. Can’t beat a classic.
Lunch: I swung by Thundercloud Subs and picked up a New York Italian sandwich. I paired it with a side of Sun Chips because, let’s be real, sandwiches are better with chips.
Dinner: Dinner with friends at a local brewery! I kept it simple with an order of Lemon Pepper Wings. Tasty, shareable, and not too heavy.
Daily total: 1,505 calories
The post A Week of Fiber-Rich Meals as a Runner appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.
