The 2024 MacroFactor Annual Report

This week marks three years since we released MacroFactor. 

Each anniversary, we publish the MacroFactor Annual Report. You can find the first report from 2022 here, and last year’s report here. 

The purpose of the Annual Report is to document the changes and improvements we’ve made in the app and as a business in the last year, as well as to give you a peek behind the curtain at our plans for the future. 

As with our public roadmap, MacroFactor Monthly newsletter, and groups on Facebook and Reddit, the MacroFactor Annual Report is designed with our values of transparency and community in mind. 

We are so grateful for the support of MacroFactor users, and are excited to review and reflect on Year 3 with you. 

So let’s get into it! 

Looking Back: A Brief Review of the Year 

At its core, MacroFactor’s two main functions are food logging and nutrition coaching.

Many apps can do one well, but they often fall short on the other. Our goal with MacroFactor has always been to create an app that doesn’t force you to compromise. With MacroFactor, you can get evidence-based nutrition coaching AND excellent utilities for logging food, tracking progress, and reviewing data.

The story of the last year reinforces our dual focus and commitment to these two important utilities. 

On the food logging front, we introduced our Label Scanner, updated our Custom Food creation workflow, and added a Log By Macro utility. Each of these features made it easier, faster, and more intuitive to log your foods each day. 

In addition, the Food Submission pipeline we introduced in the spring was a huge step toward expanding MacroFactor’s database to cover more foods for more people worldwide. Users can now submit both corrections and new barcode products to our food database, allowing us to accurately grow our food database coverage for the foreseeable future. In the time since this feature was introduced, MacroFactor users have already contributed more than 70,000 new food submissions! 

As for nutrition coaching, the goal-setting revamp we released over the summer made it easier than ever to set, adjust, and achieve your weight loss, gain, or maintenance goals with precision and confidence. We also started beta testing for Version 3 of the MacroFactor expenditure algorithm. Though Expenditure V2 was already best in class, we knew it could be improved. We’ve spent months tweaking, testing, and tinkering until we developed a new algorithm that allows your expenditure (and, as a result, your program recommendations) to be considerably more stable and tolerant of short-term weight fluctuations, without making it slower to respond to actual energy expenditure changes. Expenditure V3 will be available to all users very soon! 

Our coaching updates culminated this year with our latest release, Version 3.0.0, which introduced the next generation of MacroFactor’s cutting-edge nutrition coaching. Now, in addition to updating your calorie targets, the Weekly Check-In also includes curated “Coaching Modules” that help resolve diet challenges you are facing and optimize your diet through further personalization. With this framework now built into the check-in system, our team plans to begin releasing new modules regularly, ensuring fresh experiences and added value for years to come.

In this “Looking Back” section of the Annual Report, we’ll go into more detail on each of these big updates (and more). We’ve organized it by season (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer). Please note that this isn’t a full accounting of every single update and feature we’ve shipped; if you want more details, browse the MacroFactor Monthly archive or the Release Notes. 

Fall 

In Fall 2023, we released a full suite of iPhone and Android widgets, enhanced and expanded the Custom Food workflow, published 15+ new Knowledge Base articles answering FAQs, and published a website article explaining MacroFactor’s adherence-neutral philosophy.

Widgets

In October, we delivered the No. 1 most requested feature on the roadmap at that time – home screen widgets for both iPhone and Android.

With MacroFactor widgets, you can view details about any nutrient you can track in MacroFactor directly on your home screen and navigate to your favorite workflows with one tap.

These widgets are configurable, customizable, and optimized for their respective platforms, so you can build the home screen experience that matches your device and your unique style.

Learn more: 

• Feature page: Widgets
• Knowledge Base: Android Widgets and iPhone widgets

Custom Foods Update

In November, we released several features that enhanced and expanded MacroFactor’s Custom Food workflow!

• You can define nutrition for a custom food per serving, 100g, or 100ml, making it easier to create entries for products worldwide.
• Adding branded products is faster and more ergonomic with the option to use label-order for entering nutrition information.
• We added a quick way to convert from Salt to Sodium to enable European users to track their Sodium consumption from labels.
• The custom food wizard unfolds into a single page during editing workflows, or when a food is created using “Copy to Custom” or “Duplicate” options. This one-page editor makes it easier to tweak existing foods without going through all steps of the wizards.
• The Custom Food Creator remembers your latest preference for serving style and order of entering nutrition information for when you create new foods.

Learn more about how to create Custom Foods in this Knowledge Base article: ​Create and Add a Custom Food​.

Articles, Case Studies, and Resources

In addition to launching new features and functionality in the app, we also work hard to publish informative content and resources for you. 

Here are the articles, success stories, and other resources we released in Fall 2023. 

Success Story: Brett Alcox’s 46-Pound Weight Loss

Brett Alcox, a 30-year old software engineer, used MacroFactor to lose 47 pounds and achieve his goal of a single-digit body fat percentage. 

“My biggest win was the lifelong changes MacroFactor assisted in making,” Brett said. “About 4 months into my cut, I started walking a minimum of 12,000 steps per day, and MacroFactor really showed the difference on the expenditure graph. It has made diet compliance a breeze due to the sheer increase in calories while also positively impacting so many other aspects of my health — resting heart rate dropped, blood pressure dropped, HRV increased, lipids dropped, and sleep quality improved.”

Read more from Brett’s success story here. 

Article: What Do We Mean When We Call MacroFactor “Adherence Neutral”?

We sometimes refer to MacroFactor as an “adherence neutral” app, and you might be wondering what we mean when we use that term.

​This article​ by MF co-founder Greg covers the topic as directly as possible, and discusses why we have an adherence-neutral philosophy.

We think this is a pretty important article, because adherence neutrality can be a pretty unintuitive concept – dietary adherence is obviously important for reaching your goals, so wouldn’t it make sense to try to enforce a high level of dietary adherence to help people reach their goals? Usually not.

Success Story: How Bárbara Used MacroFactor to Gain Strength and Build a More Muscular Physique

Bárbara Martins, a 32-year-old personal trainer and nutrition coach, started lifting weights more than a decade ago, but has always struggled with gaining weight and building muscle.

“My main goal with lifting, since day one, has been to get stronger and put on muscle,” she said.

A little over a year ago, she found herself at one of her lowest weights ever. At that point, she said she was ready to buckle down and get to work in the gym and in the kitchen to gain weight, add muscle, and transform her body to what she’d always envisioned.

With the help of MacroFactor, Bárbara has gained 27 pounds, gotten stronger, and built a more muscular physique.

​Read the full article to learn more about why she chose MacroFactor and her advice for people with similar goals.

15 Knowledge Base Articles That Answered Some Common Questions 

1. Why Don’t My Macros Add Up to my Total Calories? 
2. How Do MacroFactor’s Coaching Algorithms Deal with Partially Logged Days?
3. Does MacroFactor use Energy Expenditure Data from my Wearable Activity Tracker?
4. Why Does MacroFactor Recommend Smaller Surpluses for Bulking Than I Expected?
5. What Should I Do When I Can’t Accurately Log a Meal?
6. How Accurately Do I Need To Log My Food?
7. What Should I Do If I’m Pursuing a Goal With a Strict Timeline?
8. How Should I Use MacroFactor When I’m Sick?
9. ​What Should I Do If My Activity Levels Change Drastically? 
10. ​Should I Still Log My Weight if I Feel Like I’m Bloated, Constipated, or Retaining Water?
11. ​Will Logging Food to a Future Day Affect my Expenditure and Coaching Recommendations? 
12. ​Will Logging Food to a Previous Day Affect my Expenditure and Coaching Recommendations? 
13. What Should I Do if My Initial Expenditure or Recommended Energy Intake Seems Too High or Too Low? 
14. ​Why Does my New Program Have Slightly Different Calorie and Macronutrient Targets Than My Old Program, Even Though I Didn’t Change my Goal? 
15. ​Does My Data Reset if I Change Goals or Create a New Program? 

Winter 

In Winter 2023-2024, we released one of our most exciting features yet: the MacroFactor label scanner. The label scanner unlocked faster, easier food logging for everyone. In addition to the label scanner feature, we published several new success stories and Knowledge Base articles. Plus, the first scientific study using MacroFactor to track nutrition was published in the Journal of Sports Sciences in February. 

Label Scanner

In December, MacroFactor added a label scanner to its food logging suite so you can create and track new foods effortlessly. No more back and forth to input nutrition facts – simply scan and go!

Nutrition label scanning is a powerful tool to effortlessly create and track new foods. 

This feature eliminated the need for manual data entry and guesswork, ensuring accuracy in your macro tracking. 

Whether you’re counting calories, monitoring your protein intake, or keeping an eye on your carbohydrate and fat consumption, our label scanner simplifies the process, making it easier to stay on top of your nutritional goals.

Learn more: 

• Feature Page: Label Scanner
• Knowledge Base: Tips on how to utilize the label scanning feature

Articles, Case Studies, and Resources

Here are the articles, case studies, and other resources we released in Winter 2023-2024. 

Success Story: How Amanda Learned to Fuel Her Body Using MacroFactor

Amanda Barnett has used MacroFactor through weight loss, maintenance, and bulking. As a vegan, she has also used the app to ensure her nutrient requirements are being met.

“My biggest win is finally having control and understanding of how to properly fuel my body after 40 odd years of being in the dark,” Amanda said. “I have completely transformed myself inside and out. I have done things I never thought I was even remotely capable of doing, both in terms of strength gains and physique. I have never felt so empowered and it has transferred to all aspects of my life.”

Read more from Amanda’s success story here. 

Video: How To Get Abs In 60 Days (Using Science)

In this ​video by MacroFactor co-owner Jeff Nippard​, Jeff shows you the most effective, science-based way to get six-pack abs.

He covers the best ab exercises, how many calories you should eat, how much protein you should eat, and what supplements he takes – all in a thoughtful, nuanced manner. Jeff also takes a look at some of the most common mistakes people make when trying to get their abs to show.

Even if you aren’t interested in getting six-pack lean, Jeff gives great advice for abdominal strength training, macro tracking, and more.

Success Story: How Max Used MacroFactor to Prep for a Bodybuilding Show

Max used MacroFactor’s smart diet coaching features to lose 20 pounds, get stage-ready, and place 2nd in Classic Physique at his bodybuilding show.

“I think there are a lot of people who think they need a coach to diet down for a bodybuilding show, and I am not discrediting that thought at all,” Max said. “I also think, however, that people don’t realize that the tools are out there for those of us who want to do it ourselves, and MacroFactor is one of the tools that any fitness enthusiast needs to have in their toolkit.”

Read the article to learn more about how Max used MacroFactor to reach his goals. 

Success Story: How Mark Used MacroFactor to Lose Weight and Create a Better Relationship with Food

Mark Evans used MacroFactor to become more disciplined in his eating habits and create a better relationship with food. 

“Since I started using MacroFactor, I’ve been able to build better discipline around the food I consume,” Mark said. “I’m not snacking unnecessarily because I’m bored, but actually eating because I’m hungry. I’ve been able to fit into clothes now that used to be tight and uncomfortable. When I do ‘cheat,’ I don’t beat myself up, just know that the next meal/day, I’m back on track and that one blip isn’t going to ruin all my hard work.”

Read more from Mark’s success story here. 

The First Scientific Study to Use MacroFactor

In February 2024, the first scientific study using MacroFactor to track nutrition was published in the Journal of Sports Sciences. The study examined the influence of resistance training proximity to failure on hypertrophy and fatigue, and the research subjects used MacroFactor to track their nutrition and weight during their time participating in the study. You can check out the full text of the study here. 

Knowledge Base Articles that Answered Some Common Questions 

1. If You Have an Unusual Day of Eating, Is It Better to Log It, or Leave the Day Blank?
2. Understanding The Widgets At the The Top of The Dashboard
3. Tips For Creating Recipes for Dishes Comprised of Multiple Servings
4. How to Configure Your Food Logger
5. Tips for Logging Food More Accurately
6. How do MacroFactor’s Algorithms Respond to Body Recomposition?
7. ​How Does MacroFactor Make Adjustments For a Weight Gain or Weight Loss Goal?​

Spring

In Spring 2024, we released a big feature that allows users to submit new branded foods to MacroFactor’s database. We also published a thorough five-part article series on habits and a new success story. 

Food Submission

In April 2024, we released an exciting, long-awaited feature: Users can contribute new branded products to our food database.

This release was another step toward growing MacroFactor’s global branded product coverage. This feature allows us to accurately and efficiently grow the number of barcodes in our food database for users all over the world.

In addition to the benefits for the MacroFactor community, we are also sharing all new and validated submissions with Open Food Facts, a non-profit organization with the mission of making food information freely accessible to everyone. That way, if you choose to contribute new foods to the database, your work will benefit everyone who may want to access this information – not just MacroFactor users.

In the time since this feature was introduced, MacroFactor users have already contributed more than 70,000 new food submissions! You can browse the new additions here.

Learn more

• Release Notes: Release notes and FAQ about food submission
• Knowledge Base: How to Submit New or Updated Foods

Health Connect

In March 2024, we released an update to replace Google Fit with Health Connect. (Why? Google deprecated on-device APIs for the GoogleFit Platform and replaced them with the Health Connect Platform.) 

With this update, Android users got a new and improved MacroFactor integration with their on-device health and fitness platform. 

Articles, Case Studies, and Resources

Here are the articles, case studies, and other resources we released in Spring 2024. 

Article: Logging for Loss: A Look at the Research on Logging Food and Weight

Does logging help with weight management? If so, is there a best way or method to maximize its benefits?

If you’re wondering whether your logging efforts have been in vain, ​this article​ by MacroFactor’s Head of Content Leigh Peele might offer clarity.

It dives into the research behind food and weight logging, discussing elements like frequency and consistency for effectiveness. Lastly, it might inspire a reevaluation of logging, not just for weight loss but also for maintenance.

Article Series: Habits

This five-part series dives deep into the research on habits while providing actionable steps for meaningful change.

If you’re interested in strategies for making your nutrition and fitness habits more sustainable (or if you’re just interested in the fascinating science behind behavior change), make sure to check these articles out.

Article: Five Key Tips for Satiety and Satiation

Is protein the most satiating thing we can eat? Do energy-dense foods help prevent overeating? Does exercise blunt appetite?

This article on the MacroFactor website by Leigh Peele tackles these questions and offers five practical tips to help you get the most fullness from your meals.

Success Story: Brayan’s 40-Pound Weight Loss 

Brayan Pagan struggled to maintain his desired weight until he found MacroFactor.

“Through MacroFactor, I’ve essentially learned how to eat properly. I gained knowledge about portion sizes and how even the smallest dietary choices contribute to my overall nutrition. Since starting the program, I’ve lost 40 pounds, bringing my weight down to 230 pounds. Not only have I shed a significant amount of fat, but I’ve also gained muscle in the process. However, the most important impact MacroFactor has had on my life is showing me that what once seemed like an impossible task is actually achievable with hard work and determination.”

Read more from Brayan’s success story here. 

Summer 

In Summer 2024, we released new coaching and goal-setting features – including one of the biggest updates to the app yet. In addition, we introduced a new Log By Macro feature for food logging, and published a new BMR article series, Nutrition Fundamentals article series, and several new success stories. 

The MF Coach and Coaching Modules

Earlier this month, we released one of the biggest updates to the app since it launched three years ago and introduced the next generation of MacroFactor’s cutting-edge nutrition coaching.

From inception, the foundation of MacroFactor’s nutrition coaching has been its weekly in-app nutrition “check-ins” for users. During the check-in, MacroFactor makes any necessary updates to your calorie and macro targets based on the last week of weight and nutrition data – ensuring that your dietary targets are aligned with your stated goals and unique metabolism.

Until this release, the check-in has consisted only of that functional, quantitative adjustment. This system produces smart, industry-leading recommendations that have helped thousands of people reach their diet goals, but the experience of checking in lacked personalization, flexibility, and personality.

With this update, the Weekly Check-In transformed into a more dynamic and personalized experience, driven by the intelligent “MF Coach.” The Check-In now consists of curated “Coaching Modules” that will help you resolve diet challenges you are facing and optimize your diet through further personalization.

Here’s how it works:

• The MF Coach observes your logging behaviors and analyzes your data and progress each week, then curates a custom Check-In experience with experientially rich Coaching Modules.
• During the Check-In, the MF Coach will ask you relevant questions, suggest novel changes to your macro program, and make personalized adjustments based on your data and feedback.

The result? In-app diet coaching that feels more customized, flexible, and attentive to your unique journey – like working with a high-quality human coach.

Version 3.0.0 included MacroFactor’s first six modules, but there’s (much) more to come.

With the coaching module framework now built into MacroFactor’s check-in system, our team plans to begin releasing new modules regularly, ensuring fresh experiences and added value for years to come.

Learn more

• Announcement article: The MF Coach is Here! Experience Our New Coaching Modules for Personalized Nutrition Guidance

The MacroFactor Equation 

In August, we introduced the MacroFactor Equation. The app’s initial expenditure calculation now uses the MacroFactor Equation to determine a new user’s basal metabolic rate (BMR). This equation improves upon the strong foundation of existing BMR science by accounting for metabolic adaptation during weight loss, non-linear decrease in metabolic rate due to aging, and other factors. 

Learn more: The MacroFactor Equation was developed after a thorough review of the literature on the latest BMR science, detailed in our companion article series on the website. 

Goal-Setting

In June, we released revamped goal- and program-setting experiences.

We improved explainers in the wizards, strengthened the goal-program narrative, and clarified the relationship between target setting, weight trend, and scale weight. 

Of course, this release also included a set of new features and quality-of-life improvements:

• Edit coached and collaborative program
• Edit the target weight whether you are pursuing your goal with scale or trend weight
• Reopen past goals
• Fine tune your goal rate
• Override the app’s recommendations for bulking goals
• Reset the collaborative program
• View summary of the changes you made to your goal during editing

Learn more

• Announcement article: Ready, Set, Goal! The More Powerful Goal-Setting Experience is Here
• Knowledge Base articles: Setting a new goal and creating a new macro program.

Log by Macro

In June, we released the Log by Macro feature, which allows you to specify the Calories or macros you consumed via a food and have MacroFactor calculate the serving size for you.

To see a few use cases for this feature, check out this quick video on MacroFactor’s Instagram. 

Learn more

• Knowledge Base: Log by Calories or Macros

Bidirectional Integrations

In August, we introduced bidirectional integrations – meaning that MacroFactor can now import Calories, macros, and micronutrients for the day from Apple Health and Health Connect! 

Weight data can also be imported into and exported from your respective health platform. That means you can track your weight in MacroFactor and have your weight record in Apple Health and Health Connect as well. 

Learn more

• Knowledge Base: Integrations

Articles, Case Studies, and Resources

Here are the articles, case studies, and other resources we released in Summer 2024. 

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) Calculator

The BMR Calculator tool on the MacroFactor website will estimate your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). Your BMR is the amount of energy your body burns at rest, and it’s the largest component of your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE).

This BMR Calculator accounts for key factors that other BMR calculators and equations overlook, to give you the most accurate BMR estimate possible. We have calculators for both metric and imperial units, and the calculator page also includes key points about the impact of sex, age, athletic status, weight loss, and weight gain on BMR. 

Article Series: Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

We did a thorough review of the literature on the latest BMR science digging into the research on factors that affect BMR.

On one level, this series explains the “whys” behind MacroFactor’s BMR formulas, but on a more basic level, it serves as a comprehensive resource to teach you everything you need to know about resting energy expenditure.

Article Series: Nutrition Fundamentals

Our series on nutrition fundamentals covers a range of topics, from daily intake guidelines for macronutrients to food sources and their potential impact on health. This series is great for those new to nutrition and enthusiasts seeking the latest guidelines.

Article: Do Your Calories Feel Too Low? Too High?

This article discusses the steps you can take if your MacroFactor calorie targets feel too low or too high. We explore common reasons your targets might seem off and provide practical tips to tweak and optimize your plan.

Article: Tips for Hitting Your Macros When Bulking

Struggling to hit your macros while bulking? This article will give you some practical tips for managing appetite and optimizing your macro intake without feeling too full.

Article: Tips for Hitting Lower Calorie and Macro Goals

If you’re struggling to reach your lower Calorie goals, this article will help you develop a more effective strategy.

Success Story: Charlie’s Bulk and 25-Pound Weight Loss

Charlie Ryan used MacroFactor for both a bulk and a cut, transforming his body over the course of a year. 

“With MacroFactor I’ve been able to transform my body in a fairly short amount of time like I didn’t think was possible,” Charlie said. “I started using MF last July and bulked up a fair amount until the end of the year, maybe taking the bulk a little too far and too fast. Since January I’ve been able to cut down roughly 25 pounds while keeping all of the muscle I put on, looking drastically different than when I started last year. I’ve gotten tons of compliments and people asking how I did it, and I’m always quick to recommend MF.”

Read more from Charlie’s success story here. 

Success Story: Aaron’s Cut-to-Bulk Strategy that Transformed His Physique

Aaron Rosenberg used MacroFactor as his guide for both bulking and cutting. 

Aaron said he “lost 25lbs initially, bringing me down to the lowest weight in my adult life. Perhaps more impressively, I turned around and started bulking without feeling like I was undoing all the hard work I had done to get there. Eventually I decided that I would try to have visible abs for the first time in my life, a vain goal but a great motivator! It took about 10 months for the initial cut, initial bulk, and minicut.”

Read more from Aaron’s success story here. 

Success Story: Mike’s Months-Long Maintenance with MacroFactor

Mike N. decided he wanted to move from a cut to maintenance, and he used MacroFactor to take him all the way.

“I’ve been able to manage my weight better than I ever have. From cutting to maintaining, MacroFactor has made manipulating my weight incredibly easy. It’s by far the best nutrition/calorie-counting app I’ve ever used. In fact, I wouldn’t even call it a calorie-counting app. It’s much more than that. It’s a weight management app. It makes losing, maintaining, or gaining weight incredibly simple and straightforward. Tell the app what your goal is, give it accurate data, and enjoy the progress!”

When asked what his biggest win with MacroFactor was, Mike said:

“A few months ago, I thought my 18-pound cut from 202 to 184 from Feb 5 to April 15 was my biggest ‘win,’ but I think maintaining 190-192 for four months is an even bigger win. In the past, I had always struggled to maintain weight for more than a month or two. With MacroFactor, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to maintain my weight, even through periods of very high-volume training and periods of lower-volume training.”

Read more from Mike’s success story here. 

Team, Business, and Community

In addition to expanding the features and functionality within the app itself, we also worked hard to expand the business, team, and MacroFactor communities this year. Here’s a brief overview of those changes and improvements.

User Growth 

When we published our first annual report in 2022, we had 35,000 users. Last year, we had 90,000. This year, we are excited to say that MacroFactor has grown to more than 185,000 users. 

A huge part of this remarkable growth is due to word-of-mouth marketing from MacroFactor users like you. Many of you have told your friends and family about the app and contributed enormously to the sense of community and excitement we see in our Facebook group, subreddit, and support channels every day. Thank you! We are blown away and so grateful. 

New Team Members

We welcomed four new members to the MacroFactor team this year. 

In January, Leigh Peele joined as our Head of Content. Since then, she’s published 15+ fantastic, evidence-based articles on the MacroFactor website and Knowledge Base, and has become an integral part of our mission to provide high-quality nutrition content that complements the app. 

In February, Justin Butts joined as a Product and Support Specialist. Every day since then, Justin has been helping users in our support channels and communities by answering questions, explaining features and workflows, and going above and beyond to make sure each MacroFactor user has a great experience with the app. 

In May, Ryan Ferrell joined the Engineering team as a Staff Mobile Engineer. Ryan has brought with him a depth of expertise with Apple platforms, which he has applied to increase the MacroFactor surface area on iOS. For example, soon you will be able to experience MacroFactor on your Apple Watch and see his incredible work in action. More iOS feature announcements to follow!

Earlier this month (September), Jake Boychenko joined the Engineering team as a Senior Flutter Developer and hit the ground running. In his first week of joining, he made nine product enhancements requested by our users and is now creating a home for your step data within MacroFactor. We are excited for this experience to come to you soon!

We are so thrilled to have each of these amazing people on our team. 

Launching in Japan

In addition to the four great US-based team members we welcomed this year, we’ve also had the pleasure of working with a top-tier Tokyo-based team (Andy Morgan, Kengo Yao, and Jon Clemons)  to localize MacroFactor for Japan. 

In May, the Japanese version of MacroFactor officially launched! 

The app is not only translated into Japanese, but it also includes a specialized database with thousands of Japanese foods. 

It’s been so exciting to introduce MacroFactor’s unique macro tracking and diet coaching features to thousands of new Japanese users who are looking to lose fat, gain muscle, and maintain their weight!

A Brief Review of Last Year’s Report

In last year’s report, we told you that we would spend much of 2024 creating a coaching experience that serves you better – one that’s more dynamic, observant, and experientially rich.

We are excited to say that we completed that goal and launched our new coaching system earlier this month. 

Of course, we also completed several other large feature sets that weren’t mentioned in last year’s report and delivered on a few of the most-requested features on our product roadmap, including widgets, label scanning, and the food submission pipeline.

It’s been a busy year, and we are proud of what we’ve created and how we’ve grown.  

But, of course, there’s still so much we want to do! Let’s look forward to what’s next. 

Looking Forward: What’s Next for MacroFactor

The app updates we made this past year weren’t just one-time improvements. These updates set up systems that will ensure key areas of the app continue to improve year after year.

The food database gets more comprehensive and accurate every day due to our food submission pipeline and partnership with Open Food Facts. In the years to come, you can expect more foods from more parts of the world available for logging in MacroFactor. 

The smart nutrition coach and check-in experience will continue to improve with the new MF Coach and Coaching Module system. You can expect many more check-in modules that are capable of suggesting novel changes to your macro program and making personalized adjustments based on your data and feedback. Our next modules, for example, will allow you to review and adjust your protein targets and goal rate on the fly during the check-in. 

The new expenditure algorithm is more elegant and flexible than its predecessors, which will make further enhancements simpler. Plus, our work on things like Health Connect and bidirectional integrations this past year will enable more data types to be added to the app and considered by our algorithms. For example, we’re excited to announce that step data will soon be available in MacroFactor. 

Because these systems make developing and improving key areas of the app more seamless, we will also be able to expand MacroFactor into new frontiers in the coming years: availability on Apple Watch, a MacroFactor workout app, original research, and more. 

Disclaimer: As with everything we work on, we can’t commit to delivery details or timelines for when these things will be available, but we want you to know that we’re already hard at work

MacroFactor on Apple Watch

MacroFactor is coming to Apple Watch!

We’ll be able to share more details very soon. For now, though, we’re thrilled to give you this exciting first look…

Workout App 

It’s official. We are building a workout app! 

Much like the nutrition app, the workout app will feature an easy-to-use interface, helpful analytics, evidence-based recommendations, and innovative and meticulously crafted utilities.  

We can’t give too many details on this new app yet, but we can let you know that development has already begun, and we are all extremely excited about what we’re cooking up for you. 

Metabolism Research 

This year, we’ll be partnering with a team of researchers to carry out a major initiative that will help further improve MacroFactor’s initial nutrition recommendations, while also benefiting the research community as a whole.

In short, there’s been a lot of metabolism research conducted over the years, and it hasn’t all been formally and systematically meta-analyzed … ever. There’s a good reason for that: just locating all of the studies and extracting all of the data will take (conservatively) 500-1,000 hours of work, and it’s not a project where you’re apt to find much public funding.

So, we’ll be funding it, and making all the resulting data tables and analyses publicly available. This won’t just benefit MacroFactor users – it will save the global research community hundreds or thousands of hours that would otherwise be spent doing duplicate systematic literature searches.

If all goes according to plan, we should be able to start publishing our analyses within the next year. And, if that goes well, we’ll likely expand out to other areas of research in the future.

New Year’s Challenge

We’re currently planning our very first MacroFactor New Year’s challenge for January 2025. 

This challenge will be open to all MacroFactor users who are interested in setting (and achieving) a body composition goal, getting some extra support, and winning some serious prizes in the New Year! 

We’ll share more details in the communities and on our social channels as we get closer to the end of the year. 

How to Get Involved and Stay Updated 

First, join our communities or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated.

Communities: Folks in our Facebook group, subreddit, and Instagram communities are the first to hear about new releases and what we’re working on. The groups are also a great place to ask and answer questions and connect with a like-minded and supportive community. 

Newsletter: Another way to stay updated is the MacroFactor Monthly Newsletter. On the last Monday of each month, we send a brief newsletter that includes sections on new features in the app, content recommendations, and a sneak peek at features in development. 

Second, you can submit and vote on new features using our public roadmap. 

We maintain a public roadmap that shows our short- to medium-term plans for new features and improvements. You can vote on the upcoming features that are the highest priority to you, which will help guide our development priorities. 

Third, leave a 5-star rating on the App Store or Google Play. 

If you’re enjoying MacroFactor, please consider leaving a 5-star rating or review on the​ App Store​ or​ Google Play​. Positive reviews of MacroFactor really help with discoverability for folks looking for an app like ours.

Thank You

We’ll end this third Annual Report the same way we’ve ended it the last two years: by taking the opportunity to say thank you one more time. 

There is no MacroFactor without you. You support us, inspire us, and motivate us to keep building and improving. We are so grateful for our MFer community, and so excited to continue working on this product that we love.