How Do I Track Water on MyFitnessPal?

According to a study in 'Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise', even 2% dehydration can impair cognitive capabilities, dragging down attention and coordination. For those committed to fitness and health, knowing how do I track water on MyFitnessPal is crucial for monitoring fluid intake and staying optimally hydrated.

Quick Summary

A detailed guide covering step-by-step instructions for adding water intake within MyFitnessPal on iOS, Android, and the web, along with tips for setting goals and troubleshooting common issues.

Key Points

• Mobile App Method: Use the blue '+' button and select 'Water' to quickly and easily log your intake in cups.

• Website Method: Find the dedicated 'Water Log' at the bottom of the 'Food' tab to add or edit your water consumption.

• Check Progress: Monitor your total daily water intake directly within your MyFitnessPal diary on any platform.

• Benefits of Tracking: Tracking water improves hydration awareness, aids in appetite control, boosts energy, and enhances physical performance.

• Syncing Troubleshooting: If logs fail to sync with other apps, revoking and re-linking account permissions can resolve the issue.

• Saving Issue Fix: For bugs where entries don't save, use the custom entry option to manually type your intake amount.

• Set Your Goal: While the prominent visual goal is gone, you can still hold a mental target and use the app for simple progress monitoring.

Hydration is a cornerstone of overall health and fitness. For many users of MyFitnessPal, logging food and exercise is a routine habit, but tracking water intake is equally important. Consistent hydration can help regulate body temperature, transport nutrients, and support brain function. The MyFitnessPal platform, available on both mobile and web, provides a straightforward way to monitor your fluid consumption. This article will walk you through the process on each platform, offer tips for setting goals, and even compare the built-in feature to dedicated hydration apps.

Tracking Water on the MyFitnessPal Mobile App

MyFitnessPal's mobile application, available on both iOS and Android, provides a quick and accessible method for logging your water intake. The process is virtually identical across both operating systems.

Step-by-Step for iOS and Android

1. Open the App: Launch the MyFitnessPal application on your smartphone.
2. Access the Diary: From the main dashboard, tap the large blue '+' button.
3. Select 'Water': A menu will appear with options for logging food, exercise, and other metrics. Tap the 'Water' icon.
4. Log Your Water: A screen will appear where you can enter your water intake in cups. Use the '+' and '-' buttons to adjust the number of cups, or tap the entry field to type in a specific amount. The app conveniently keeps a running tally throughout the day.
5. Save Your Entry: Tap the checkmark in the top right corner to save your log. The total water intake will be visible in your diary.

Alternative Logging Method

If you prefer, you can also log water as a food item by searching the database for 'water'. Some users have found this helpful for tracking specific metrics, though the dedicated water tracker is generally more efficient.

Tracking Water on the MyFitnessPal Website

For those who prefer a desktop experience or need to log their intake while using a computer, MyFitnessPal also offers a water log on its website.

Step-by-Step for the Website

1. Log In: Navigate to the MyFitnessPal website and log into your account.
2. Go to the Food Tab: Click the 'Food' tab at the top of the page.
3. Find the Water Log: Scroll down to the bottom of your daily food diary. You will see a dedicated 'Water Log' section.
4. Edit Your Intake: Click the pencil icon to the right of the water log to edit your entry. You can either click to add common water sizes or manually enter your total for the day.
5. Save Changes: Click the 'Save' button to update your daily hydration record.

Setting Your Daily Water Goal

While MyFitnessPal used to feature a more prominent visual graphic for water goals, the functionality has changed over time, leading to some user confusion. The best way to manage your goal now is to set a target in your mind and use the app as a simple tool to track your progress toward that number. This can still be a powerful habit-forming technique, as seeing your daily consumption adds a layer of accountability.

Benefits of Tracking Water Intake

Tracking your hydration consistently offers numerous health benefits beyond just staying hydrated:

• Supports Weight Management: Drinking enough water can help you feel full, potentially preventing overeating.
• Enhances Physical Performance: Proper hydration is critical for exercise, with dehydration negatively affecting performance.
• Improves Digestion: Water aids in the digestion process and can help prevent constipation.
• Boosts Energy Levels: Your body's cells need water to function efficiently. Low water levels can lead to fatigue.
• Assists Detoxification: Water helps flush waste products from your body through urine and sweat.

MyFitnessPal vs. Dedicated Hydration Apps

Users often wonder if they should stick with MyFitnessPal's built-in tracker or use a separate app. Here's a comparison to help you decide.

Feature	MyFitnessPal Water Tracker	Dedicated Hydration Apps (e.g., Waterllama, WaterMinder)
Integration	Fully integrated with your food and exercise diary; all data is in one place.	Requires manual syncing or dual tracking; data is separate from your MFP diary.
Goal Setting	Minimal visual goal tracking; relies more on manual checking and personal accountability.	Often features visually appealing goals, characters, or plants that fill up as you drink, adding gamification.
Customization	Basic cup size entries or manual custom amounts.	More robust customization, such as tracking different types of fluids and setting personalized reminders throughout the day.
Reminders	Does not feature built-in, customizable reminders to drink water.	Many dedicated apps offer push notifications and scheduled reminders to prompt you to drink.
Focus	Part of a broader nutrition and fitness platform; secondary feature.	Sole purpose is to track and encourage hydration; primary feature.

Troubleshooting Common Water Tracking Issues

While MyFitnessPal's water tracking is generally reliable, some users have encountered problems. Here are solutions to a couple of common issues.

Water Log Not Syncing with Third-Party Apps

Some users who link MyFitnessPal with apps like Fitbit have reported that their water logs don't sync correctly. If this happens:

1. Revoke and Re-link: Go to your third-party app's settings (e.g., Fitbit) and revoke access to MyFitnessPal. Then, re-link the accounts. This often resolves syncing issues.
2. Check for Delays: Sometimes, there can be a slight delay in data appearing. Wait a few seconds to a minute to see if the log comes through.

Adding Water Not Saving

Occasionally, a bug can prevent the quick-add buttons from saving your water entry.

1. Use Custom Entry: Instead of using the pre-set cup buttons, tap the entry field and manually type in your new total amount. This workaround often forces the app to save the data correctly.
2. Log at End of Day: If the issue persists, keep a separate running tally and enter the total at the end of the day to ensure accuracy.

Conclusion

Tracking your water intake on MyFitnessPal is a simple yet impactful way to support your health and fitness journey. Whether you prefer the convenience of the mobile app or the web interface, the process is straightforward and provides the accountability needed to form a consistent hydration habit. While the feature is basic compared to some dedicated apps, its integration with your broader food and exercise diary makes it a powerful tool within the MyFitnessPal ecosystem. By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you can ensure you are staying properly hydrated and reaching your wellness goals. For more in-depth information, you can always visit the official MyFitnessPal blog on the importance of hydration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the water tracking icon in the MyFitnessPal app?

To track water, tap the large blue plus button on the main dashboard, then select the 'Water' icon from the menu that appears.

Can I set a specific daily water intake goal?

Yes, while the visual goal has changed, you can set a mental target and use the app to consistently log cups and monitor your progress towards it. It provides a simple metric to guide your intake.

My water log is not syncing between my MyFitnessPal and Fitbit accounts. What should I do?

This is a known issue for some users. The best solution is to go into your Fitbit app's settings, revoke MyFitnessPal's access, and then re-link the accounts to reset the integration.

Is it possible to log other fluids like iced tea or coffee in the water tracker?

While the app allows you to log any liquid as 'water', it is best practice to log caloric drinks like iced tea or soda separately under your food diary. Use the water tracker specifically for non-caloric fluids to accurately track hydration.

What should I do if my water bottle size doesn't match the default cup options?

If your cup size isn't listed, simply use the 'custom' option. Tap the number field and manually enter the specific amount you drank, then save your entry.

Do I need to have a premium MyFitnessPal subscription to track my water?

No, the basic water tracking feature is available to all users, including those with a free account, on both the mobile app and the website.

Why did my water intake suddenly disappear from my diary?

Some users have reported bugs where entries don't save correctly, particularly with the quick-add buttons. A reliable workaround is to use the custom entry feature to manually input and save your water intake.