How do you change your base calories on MyFitnessPal?

Approximately 75% of MyFitnessPal users utilize the app to reach weight goals. Knowing how do you change your base calories on MyFitnessPal is crucial for making progress. Adjusting the calorie target is essential for adapting to a plateau or reaching new goals.

Quick Summary

You can change your MyFitnessPal calorie goal in the 'Goals' section of the app or website. Update your weight or weekly weight goal to recalculate the daily intake. Direct adjustments are also possible for a more tailored approach.

Key Points

• Recalculate Goal: To adjust your calorie goal, update your current weight or re-select your weekly goal.

• Forcing an Update: On mobile, change your current weight, save, then change it back.

• Manual Control: Premium users can manually set calorie goals and adjust macronutrients, which is ideal for custom diet plans.

• Website Reliability: Adjustments on the MyFitnessPal website can force an app sync.

• Troubleshoot Syncing: Reinstall the app, clear data, or verify changes on the website.

• Adapt for Progress: Adjusting your base calories prevents plateaus and keeps your progress on track.

Why Adjust Your Calorie Goals?

Your daily calorie needs change as your weight changes. Your body requires a different energy amount to maintain its new size. Ignoring this can cause a weight loss plateau. Updating your goals ensures your daily calorie target remains accurate for your situation.

How to Change Your Base Calories on the MyFitnessPal Mobile App

Adjusting the calorie goal through the MyFitnessPal mobile app is the most common method. The process can differ between iOS and Android, but the steps are similar.

Step-by-Step for iOS and Android

1. Access the Goals Section: Tap the More menu.
2. Open Goals: Select Goals.
3. Initiate Recalculation: You can trigger a new calculation in one of two ways:
   • Update Current Weight: Update your Current Weight. Saving prompts the app to recalculate your daily goal.
   • Re-select Weekly Goal: Tap on your Weekly Goal and re-select the same goal or a new one. Tapping 'Save' will force a recalculation based on your new weight.
4. Save Changes: Save your changes to apply the new calorie target.

How to Change Your Base Calories on the MyFitnessPal Website

Adjusting your goals on the MyFitnessPal website is an excellent option.

Step-by-Step for Website Users

1. Log In: Go to myfitnesspal.com and log in.
2. Go to Goals: Click My Home, then select Goals.
3. View Guided Setup: Click the View Guided Setup button to access your weight management profile.
4. Update Profile: Confirm your Current Weight. If it needs updating, input your new weight and click Update Profile. The site will calculate a new net calorie goal.

Manual and Advanced Adjustments

MyFitnessPal offers more direct control for specific calorie targets.

Comparison Table: Automatic vs. Manual Goal Setting

Feature	Automatic Recalculation	Manual Adjustment (Premium)
Initiation	Changing weight or weekly goal.	Direct input of a specific calorie number or macro split.
Accuracy	Based on MyFitnessPal's algorithm.	Reflects an external, personalized plan from a professional.
Flexibility	Good for general weight management.	Offers precise control over total calories and macro distribution.
Required Plan	Standard MyFitnessPal features.	Requires a MyFitnessPal Premium subscription.
Ideal For	Beginners, casual users.	Experienced users, athletes, or those on a supervised diet plan.

Troubleshooting Common Calorie Goal Issues

Sometimes, the calorie goal may not update.

• Force a Sync: Make a small change and save it. Change it back.
• Clear App Data: Clearing the app's cache or reinstalling the app has resolved the problem.
• Use the Website: Make the change on the website. The app should sync.
• Check Known Issues: Check the MyFitnessPal support site for any known bugs.

Conclusion

Effectively changing your base calories on MyFitnessPal is a fundamental skill. Whether you use the mobile app or the website, the process is straightforward once you know where to look. By proactively adjusting your calorie goals, you can ensure your daily plan remains aligned with your objectives, helping you to make consistent progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the calorie goal on the MyFitnessPal mobile app?

Go to More > Goals. Update your weekly weight goal or your current weight.

Can I manually set my own calorie number in MyFitnessPal?

Yes, this is available to Premium subscribers.

Why didn't my calorie goal automatically update when I lost weight?

You must often manually trigger the update by going into your goals and re-confirming or editing your weekly goal.

What is the difference between free and premium manual goal setting?

Free users can only adjust macronutrient percentages, Premium users can set specific calorie and macro goals.

What should I do if my calorie goal isn't updating after making changes?

Try making the change on the MyFitnessPal website. Reinstalling the app or clearing its data can resolve syncing issues.

How do I change my calorie goals on the MyFitnessPal website?

Log in to myfitnesspal.com, go to My Home > Goals, and use the "View Guided Setup" or "Edit" buttons to update your profile.

What if I want different calorie goals for different days?

MyFitnessPal Premium offers the ability to set custom daily goals for different days.