In this series, we pull back the curtain on how real people power their lives with real-life nutrition. Each weekly diary will showcase a different MyFitnessPal member’s eating goals, habits, and go-to foods to inspire your own journey—because progress, not perfection, is what really matters.
Today, a MyFitnesspal Principal Engineer in Texas is training for a half-marathon and focusing on increasing her fiber intake.
Location: Austin, Texas
occupation: Principal Engineer at MyFitnessPal
Age: 38
Weekly grocery and food budget: I don’t really follow!
Diet plan: I recently went low FODMAP
Food restrictions: No onion or garlic; limited wheat, barley, and rye
Weekly Goals:
Weekly calorie goal: 14,000
Daily macro ratio: The only nutrient I focus on is fiber– doctor’s orders!
Typical Weekly Workout Schedule: I run every day, about 40-50 miles per week.
When did you start learning about the importance of nutrition?
I always “knew” it was important, but I don’t think I really did anything about it until I realized food could positively improve many aspects of my health.
When and why did you start food logging?
I first started logging my meals in 2015 (before I even worked with MyFitnessPal!) when I accidentally found myself heavier than I thought. Since then I periodically log more or less depending on my life goals.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned on your nutrition journey?
The foods you eat are more than just the calories they contain. For me, certain foods that most people consider “healthy” negatively affect my body. Your health is not one-dimensional.
What health or fitness related goals are you working towards?
I’m training for a half-marathon in January, so as part of that, I’m working back to 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 affect your normal nutritional routine? (Eg, vacations, birthday or wedding-related parties, etc.)
I usually focus more on the big picture than individual days or events. For example, I like to think of my calorie budget as weekly, rather than daily. If I know I’m going to have a busy weekend or event, I usually budget for it earlier in the week.
How often do you eat out each week, compared to what you eat at home?
I probably eat half my meals at home. i eat a lot sandwiches.
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7-Day Nutrition For Real Life
Day 1
breakfast: I start the day with a warm bowl of instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal—a comforting meal 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 noon, I had a chicken bowl from Waba Grill. Lean protein, check. Rice, look. Vegetables, check. Honestly, it’s my go-to when I want something filling but not too heavy Total: 640 calories
Dinner: Okay, balance. I ended the day with a medium cheeseburger and a side of crispy, straight-cut french fries. Sometimes it’s just you needed 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 got a bagel from the deli and mixed it with 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 seems 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 have to enjoy your meals without doing the math!
Day 5
breakfast: Back to the basics—instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal with bananas and blueberries. Why mess with perfection?
Lunch: I got an Italian panini from the local bodega, with the top verified option on the app. It hits the spot and doesn’t require much effort.
Dinner: Jimmy John’s for dinner! I went for Number 7—with bread, not an unwitch. Sometimes you just need the full sandwich experience.
Daily total: 1,533 calories
December 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 is light but still filling.
Dinner: Two slices of pepperoni pizza to end the day. Sometimes, pizza just calls your name. Total: 496 calories.
Daily total: 1,379 calories
December 7
breakfast: Instant brown sugar and maple oatmeal again, with sliced bananas and blueberries for some extra whole fruit nutrition. A classic can’t be beat.
Lunch: I swung by Thundercloud Subs and got a New York Italian sandwich. I paired it with a side of Sun Chips because, let’s be real, sandwiches taste better with chips.
Dinner: Dinner with friends at a local brewery! I keep it simple with an order of Lemon Pepper Wings. Delicious, shareable, and not too heavy.
Daily total: 1,505 calories
The post A Week of Fiber-Rich Foods as a Runner first appeared in MyFitnessPal Blog.
