Intermittent fasting can feel like a puzzle – when do you eat, when do you fast, and how do you keep it all straight? MyFitnessPal’s Intermittent Fasting Tracker, a Premium feature launched in February 2023, is like having a personal coach in your pocket. It’s designed to make fasting straightforward, whether you’re just dipping your toes in or you’ve been fasting for years. Available on iOS and Android (app version 22.23+), this tool lives in your app’s diary, blending seamlessly with your meal, water, and exercise logs. Let’s break down every section in detail to show you why it’s a must-try for anyone curious about fasting.
What’s Intermittent Fasting, Anyway?
If you’re scratching your head wondering what intermittent fasting (IF) is, here’s the deal: it’s an eating pattern focused on when you eat, not what. You alternate between fasting periods (no food, just zero-calorie drinks like water, black coffee, or tea) and eating periods (your usual meals). The most common approach, called time-restricted eating, involves fasting for a set number of hours each day and eating within a shorter window. For example, you might fast for 16 hours and eat during an 8-hour window. It’s popular because it’s flexible and can fit into busy schedules. MyFitnessPal’s tracker is tailored for this style, helping you stay organized and motivated. The app even points you to its blog for deeper insights on whether fasting could work for your lifestyle.
Why MyFitnessPal’s Fasting Tracker Rocks
MyFitnessPal is a household name for tracking health goals, and their Intermittent Fasting Tracker takes it up a notch. Built for real people with real lives, it’s packed with features that make fasting less intimidating and more doable. Here’s a closer look at what you get:
Pick Your Fasting Style
One size doesn’t fit all, and MyFitnessPal gets that. You can choose from three fasting patterns based on your goals or daily routine:
- 12:12 (12-hour fast, 12-hour eating window): This is a gentle intro to fasting, perfect for beginners. It aligns with your body’s natural circadian rhythm, so you might fast from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and eat from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s great if you want to ease into fasting without feeling deprived.
- 14:10 (14-hour fast, 10-hour eating window): A step up, this pattern encourages structured meals and cuts down on mindless snacking. For example, fast from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. and eat from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s ideal for those wanting a bit more challenge.
- 16:8 (16-hour fast, 8-hour eating window): The rockstar of fasting patterns, this one’s popular for a reason. You might skip breakfast (fast from 8 p.m. to noon) and eat from noon to 8 p.m., or skip dinner instead. It’s great for weight management or simplifying your eating schedule.
The best part? You’re not stuck. You can switch patterns anytime in the Fasting Settings, so you can experiment to find what feels right.
Start and Stop When You Want
Life’s unpredictable – maybe you have a late dinner with friends or an early morning meeting. MyFitnessPal’s tracker is built for flexibility. During setup, you’ll pick target start and end times for your fast (say, 8 p.m. to noon for a 16:8 pattern), and these show up as reminders in the tracker. But you’re in control. Just tap the start/stop button in the diary to begin or end your fast when it suits you. Forgot to hit start? No biggie – you can edit the start time while the fast is active or log it manually later. This forgiving setup means you don’t have to stress about perfection.
Watch Your Progress Grow
Tracking progress is where the tracker shines. At the top of your diary, you’ll see a visual bar that fills with purple segments for each hour you fast. It’s like a mini cheerleader, showing you how close you are to your goal. For example, if you’re aiming for a 16-hour fast, you’ll see 16 slots, and each purple bar means you’ve nailed another hour. Want a bigger picture? Head to the Fasting History (accessed via the three-dot menu) to see a detailed log of your fasts, including start/end times and duration. You can view daily consistency or a weekly graph to spot trends, like how often you hit your target. Plus, since it’s in the same app as your meal and exercise logs, you get a holistic view of your health journey.
Never Miss a Fast
We’ve all been there: you meant to start your fast but got distracted. MyFitnessPal has your back. If you forget to tap start, you can adjust the start time during an active fast (Diary > three dots > Edit Start Time). Missed tracking a fast entirely? Log it manually after the fact (Diary > three dots > Log Fast Manually) by entering the date and times. You can also edit or delete past fasts in the Fasting History by long-pressing an entry. This flexibility ensures every fast counts, even if you’re not glued to your phone.
How to Get Started
Ready to jump in? If you’re a Premium member, it’s simple: open the MyFitnessPal app, go to the More menu, tap Intermittent Fasting, and follow the setup prompts to pick your fasting pattern and target times. Not a Premium member? No worries – you can try it with a one-month free trial by signing up at myfitnesspal.com/premium. Make sure your app is updated to version 22.23+ (check the App Store or Google Play). Note: the tracker is only on iOS and Android right now, not iPad or web, but MyFitnessPal plans to expand in the future.
If you’re new to fasting, the app’s got you covered with a quick guide and tips to help you decide if it’s a good fit. It also reminds you to check with a healthcare professional before starting, which is solid advice for any dietary change. Once set up, the tracker sits at the top of your diary, making it easy to log fasts alongside your meals, water, and workouts for a complete picture of your day.
Tips for Fasting Success
To make the most of your fasting journey, try these practical tips:
- Stay Hydrated: Fasting can leave you feeling sluggish if you’re not drinking enough. Keep water, black coffee, or unsweetened tea on hand to stay energized and curb hunger.
- Prioritize Protein: During your eating window, aim for balanced meals with enough protein (think chicken, eggs, or beans) to keep you full and support muscle health. MyFitnessPal’s nutrition tracking can help you hit your goals.
- Start Small: If 16:8 feels daunting, begin with 12:12 and gradually increase your fasting window. Small wins build confidence.
- Explore the Blog: MyFitnessPal’s blog is packed with fasting advice, like how to stay consistent or what to eat during your windows. It’s a goldmine for inspiration.
- Listen to Your Body: Fasting isn’t for everyone. If you feel off, adjust your pattern or talk to a doctor.
Why It’s Worth Trying
Intermittent fasting can be a game-changer for weight management, mental clarity, or just streamlining your eating routine, but it’s not a magic bullet. What makes MyFitnessPal’s tracker stand out is how it simplifies the process, letting you focus on living your life instead of obsessing over timers. It’s like having a supportive friend who keeps you accountable without being pushy. Whether you’re aiming to shed a few pounds, boost energy, or try something new, this tool makes fasting approachable and sustainable.
Got thoughts or questions? Share them in MyFitnessPal’s Community Forum or reach out to support@myfitnesspal.com. Ready to start? Download or update the app today and see how easy fasting can be.
Disclaimer: This information is for general purposes only and isn’t medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making dietary changes.
ReciMe: Your Calorie Alternative to MyFitnessPal
We developed ReciMe to offer a fresh, recipe-focused alternative to tools like MyFitnessPal. ReciMe isn’t a typical calorie-counting app – it’s a dynamic recipe organizer that simplifies nutrition tracking and elevates meal preparation. ReciMe allows you to save recipes from Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, or photos, automatically calculating their calories and macronutrients to make tracking more convenient than manual logging.
ReciMe is designed to bring joy and efficiency to your kitchen. Our app streamlines cooking and planning, making it ideal for users who want to plan meals within fasting windows without the hassle. With features like custom cookbooks, weekly meal plans, and smart grocery lists sorted by supermarket aisle or recipe, ReciMe ensures a seamless, stress-free experience from planning to shopping.
What Makes ReciMe Stand Out
- Easy Recipe Collecting: Save recipes from Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, or scanned notes with a single tap, transforming them into clear, organized ingredients and steps.
- Recipe-Based Nutrition Tracking: Save a recipe, and the app instantly computes its calories and macronutrients, simplifying nutrition management.
- Smart Grocery Lists: Generate shopping lists organized by aisle or recipe, optimized for quick trips to the store, including fasting-friendly meals.
- Effortless Meal Planning: Use our flexible planner to schedule breakfast, lunch, or dinner, aligning with your eating windows or daily routine while reducing food waste.
- Personalized Cookbooks: Organize recipes into tailored collections by cuisine, diet, or meal type for quick, easy access.
- Flexible Plans: The free version includes core features like grocery lists and meal planning with up to 8 recipe saves, while ReciMe Plus unlocks unlimited saves for passionate cooks.
- Platform Availability: Available on iOS and Android with a Chrome extension for fast recipe saving.
We crafted ReciMe to transform meal planning and nutrition tracking into a delightful, recipe-centric experience. Download ReciMe today from the App Store, Google Play, or visit recime.app to start your culinary journey!
Just try it – you’ll love it:
Conclusion
MyFitnessPal’s Intermittent Fasting Tracker is more than just a tool – it’s a way to make intermittent fasting feel doable, even with a packed schedule. With flexible fasting patterns, easy tracking, and a user-friendly design, it empowers you to take charge of your health goals without the stress. Whether you’re looking to simplify your eating routine, manage your weight, or explore a new lifestyle, this tracker is your partner in making it happen. So why wait? Update your MyFitnessPal app, dive into the world of fasting, and discover how small changes can lead to big results. Your journey starts now!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a Premium subscription to use the Intermittent Fasting Tracker?
Yes, the tracker is a Premium feature. If you’re not a Premium member, you can sign up for a one-month free trial at myfitnesspal.com/premium to access it, along with other cool features like meal planning and macro tracking.
2. Can I use the tracker on my computer or iPad?
Right now, the Intermittent Fasting Tracker is only available on iOS and Android phones (app version 22.23+). It’s not supported on the web or iPad, but MyFitnessPal is working on expanding access in the future.
3. What happens if I forget to start or stop my fast?
No problem! You can edit the start time of an active fast by going to Diary > three dots > Edit Start Time. If you forgot to track a fast entirely, log it manually via Diary > three dots > Log Fast Manually, and enter the date and times.
4. How do I know which fasting pattern is right for me?
It depends on your lifestyle and goals. The 12:12 pattern is great for beginners, 14:10 is good for reducing snacking, and 16:8 is popular for weight management. Start with 12:12 if you’re new, and experiment with others in the Fasting Settings. Check with a doctor to ensure fasting fits your health needs.
5. Can I track my meals and fasting in the same app?
Absolutely! The tracker lives in your diary, so you can log fasts, meals, water, and exercise all in one place. This makes it easy to see how your fasting and nutrition work together to support your goals.