Why You Might Need to Reset MyFitnessPal
Users often seek to reset their MyFitnessPal account for several reasons. Perhaps you've made significant progress and your old starting weight and calorie goals are no longer relevant. Maybe you took a long break from tracking and the historical data is now cluttering your progress view. Other common reasons include needing to remove inaccurate historical data, dealing with glitches, or simply wanting to begin a new fitness regimen with a completely blank slate. While there is no single 'reset' button, the process can be accomplished through different strategies depending on your desired outcome.
Method 1: Adjusting Your Current Goals
For many, a 'reset' simply means updating their current information to reflect new progress. This approach keeps your account history but recalculates your targets based on your current weight and goals. This is the official and recommended method for most situations.
On the website, log in and navigate to 'My Home' > 'Settings' > 'Update diet/fitness profile'. Here you can input a new starting weight, current weight, and goal. After saving, MyFitnessPal will update your calorie targets and other metrics accordingly.
In the mobile app (iOS or Android), go to the 'More' menu and tap 'Goals'. You can then tap to edit your current weight, starting weight, and other goals. In some app versions, you may need to enter a slightly different current weight and save, then re-enter the correct current weight to force a recalibration of calorie goals.
Method 2: Manually Deleting Old Entries
If the goal is to simply remove old, irrelevant food and exercise entries without wiping your whole account, you can do so manually. This is a time-consuming option if you have a long history, but it allows you to keep your core account information, recipes, and saved foods.
Deleting food entries in the mobile app:
- Go to your 'Diary' page.
- On iOS, swipe left on an entry to reveal the 'Delete' option. You can also tap the 'Edit' icon at the top of the diary to multi-select and delete.
- On Android, tap and hold an entry to select it, then use the trash can icon at the top of the screen to delete it. Alternatively, tap the pencil icon, select multiple entries, and then delete.
Deleting weight entries:
- In the app, navigate to 'Progress' or 'Check In'.
- Find the weight entry you want to delete.
- On iOS, swipe left on the entry and tap 'Delete'.
- On the website, go to 'My Home' > 'Check-in' > 'Edit Previous Entries'.
Method 3: The Complete Account Deletion
For those who truly want a full, blank slate, deleting and recreating your account is the only complete option. This is a permanent action and will remove all your data, including food entries, progress photos, recipes, and friends. This is ideal for users who want to start from zero or if they need a completely new profile for some other reason.
How to delete your account:
- Via the Website: Log in to myfitnesspal.com. Go to 'My Home' > 'Settings' > 'Delete Account'.
- Via the Mobile App (iOS): Go to 'More' > 'Help' > 'Delete Account'.
- Via the Mobile App (Android): Go to the main menu > 'Help' > 'Delete Account'.
After initiating the deletion, you will be required to confirm your decision. Once confirmed, the action cannot be undone, and you will need to sign up again with a new username.
Comparison of Reset Methods
| Feature | Adjusting Goals | Manually Deleting | Deleting Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effort | Low | High (depending on data) | Medium |
| Data Retention | Keeps all historical data | Keeps recipes, foods, etc. | Deletes all data permanently |
| Username | Retained | Retained | Requires a new one |
| Best For | Updating targets after progress | Clearing specific incorrect data | A completely fresh start |
| Reversibility | Fully reversible | Partially reversible (some records) | Irreversible |
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Reset Path
Deciding how to reset your MyFitnessPal account depends entirely on your needs. For minor adjustments, simply updating your goals is the easiest and most practical solution. If you need to fix a specific period of inaccurate data, a manual deletion of entries is the best approach, though it requires more time. Finally, for a complete do-over, deleting your account is the most straightforward, albeit permanent, method. Considering your personal goals and how much historical data you want to preserve will lead you to the most suitable option.
If you are experiencing app errors or syncing issues, a simpler fix might be to clear the app's cache or reinstall the application entirely before resorting to more drastic measures like account deletion.
For further guidance on maintaining your MyFitnessPal account or exploring other fitness tracking tips, consider visiting a reputable fitness and nutrition site like the American Council on Exercise (ACE).
Resetting MyFitnessPal: A Quick-Start Guide
Resetting Goals for Existing Users
To update goals and get a fresh calculation, go to 'Goals' in the 'More' menu and edit your weight, then save.
Deleting Entries for a Cleaner Diary
Swipe left (iOS) or tap and hold (Android) on individual food or exercise entries in your diary to delete them and create a cleaner record.
Removing Saved Foods or Recipes
Navigate to 'My Meals, Recipes & Foods' from the menu and use the edit or swipe-to-delete function to manage your saved items.
For a Complete Account Wipe
Log in via the MyFitnessPal website, go to 'Settings', and choose 'Delete Account' for a permanent solution that requires creating a new profile.
Clearing App Cache for Technical Fixes
If technical glitches are the issue, clearing the app's cache in your device's settings can often resolve problems without affecting your data.
