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How to Change Calorie Goal on MyFitnessPal Reddit Users Discuss

3 min read

According to discussions on the MyFitnessPal subreddit, many users report frustration with the app’s calorie goal automatically resetting. This guide addresses the common question of how to change calorie goal on MyFitnessPal Reddit users frequently ask, detailing solutions and workarounds from the community and official support.

Quick Summary

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for manually setting your calorie goal in MyFitnessPal, summarizing the advice and troubleshooting methods shared by users on Reddit for both app and website versions.

Key Points

  • Manual Adjustment: The most direct way to change your calorie goal is via the "Goals" section in the MyFitnessPal app or website.

  • Free User Workaround: Free users can force a calorie goal update by temporarily changing their weight in their profile to trigger a new calculation.

  • Premium Direct Input: The Premium version allows you to manually set a specific calorie goal without using indirect methods.

  • Website Fix: For persistent app glitches where goals won't save, updating your goals on the MyFitnessPal website is a reliable alternative.

  • Reddit Troubleshooting: Community advice from Reddit suggests various techniques, including using the website or reinstalling the app for stubborn sync issues.

  • Understand Recalibration: The app automatically adjusts goals as you lose weight, a common source of confusion for users.

In This Article

Changing Your Calorie Goal in the MyFitnessPal App

Many MyFitnessPal users, particularly those who frequent Reddit forums, report that the app's automatic calorie goal calculation doesn't align with their specific needs. While the Premium version offers direct manual input, free users must use workarounds. Here is the process for both options.

For MyFitnessPal Premium Users

  1. Navigate to the Goals section. Tap 'More' (iOS) or the menu icon (Android), then select 'Goals'.
  2. Access calorie settings. Under 'Nutrition Goals', tap 'Calorie, Carbs, Protein, and Fat Goals'.
  3. Enter your manual goal. You can now directly enter your desired calorie amount. Premium also allows setting specific daily goals.
  4. Save your changes. Tap the checkmark or 'Save' button to apply your new goal.

For Free MyFitnessPal Users

Free users cannot simply type in a new calorie number. Instead, the goal is determined by your profile settings. The most common Reddit-recommended workaround is to force a recalculation.

  1. Access your goals. Tap 'More', then 'Goals'.
  2. Modify your weight. Change your 'Current Weight' to a slightly different value (e.g., up or down by one pound). Save the change.
  3. Revert the weight change. Immediately go back and change your weight back to its correct value. This forces a goal recalculation based on your current stats.
  4. Check the result. Your daily calorie goal should now be updated to reflect your new metrics. Some Reddit users also report success by re-selecting their weekly weight change goal and saving, even without altering the setting.

Troubleshooting Common Glitches and Website Method

Some users report persistent issues where the app reverts to its own calculation, even after attempting manual overrides or workarounds. When the app is being stubborn, the MyFitnessPal website can provide a more stable platform for making changes.

Using the MyFitnessPal Website

  1. Log in to the website. Use a web browser to log in to your MyFitnessPal account.
  2. Go to 'Goals'. From the menu, click 'My Home', then 'Goals'.
  3. Edit your nutrition goals. Select 'Edit' next to 'Daily Nutrition Goals'.
  4. Make changes and save. Adjust your settings as desired and click 'Save Changes' at the bottom of the page.
  5. Sync the app. The changes made on the website will sync to the app the next time you open it.

Some users experiencing severe glitches have found success by performing a sequence involving website changes, uninstalling the app, and reinstalling it without immediately progressing through the setup screen. This drastic step can force a full sync.

Comparison of Goal Setting Options

Feature Free Version Premium Version
Calorie Goal Method Automatic, based on profile and activity level. Requires profile manipulation to force updates. Manual entry enabled. Can set a specific number.
Macro Goals Can be adjusted as percentages in 5% increments. Can be set in precise gram increments.
Daily Goals Single, static goal for all days of the week. Can set different goals for different days (e.g., rest days vs. workout days).
Workarounds Needed? Yes, users rely on Reddit-sourced tips like changing weight to prompt recalculations. No, direct manual control is a standard feature.
Stability Sometimes prone to glitches where the app overrides user input. Generally more stable for custom settings.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Method for You

While MyFitnessPal’s automated system is a useful starting point, many advanced users on Reddit prefer more control over their calorie targets. For those on the free version, the weight-change workaround or using the website provides the best path to adjusting goals. For those needing precise, daily-specific control, upgrading to Premium is the most straightforward solution. Regardless of your method, staying persistent and verifying your changes across platforms can help overcome stubborn app behavior and keep your nutrition tracking on point.

This article provides general guidance. For personalized advice, consider consulting a healthcare professional or registered dietitian. [https://www.myfitnesspal.com/]

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are a Premium user, navigate to 'More' -> 'Goals' -> 'Calorie, Carbs, Protein, and Fat Goals' and enter your desired number. If you are a free user, you cannot set a specific number directly; you must manipulate your profile settings like weight to trigger a new calculation.

MyFitnessPal automatically recalculates your calorie goal as you lose weight, aiming for a consistent pace of weight loss. If you update your current weight, the app or site will often suggest a lower calorie intake to maintain the deficit.

Yes. While the process is similar, some users report more success with changes saving correctly on the website, especially when the app is behaving erratically. Changes made on the website will sync to the app upon refresh.

A common workaround from Reddit involves going into your 'Goals' and changing your 'Current Weight' to a slightly different value. Save the change, then immediately go back and reset your weight to its correct number. This often forces the app to recalculate your goal.

Yes, direct manual entry of a specific calorie number is a Premium-only feature. The free version requires users to adjust other profile metrics to indirectly influence the calorie goal calculation.

If your goal won't save on the app, try making the change on the MyFitnessPal website instead. For persistent issues, some users on Reddit suggest reinstalling the app after changing the goals on the website to force a complete sync.

This feature is exclusive to MyFitnessPal Premium users. Premium allows for more customized plans, such as setting different calorie and macro goals for workout days versus rest days.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.