How important is it to have friends on here?

Tiamo719
Tiamo719 Posts: 256 Member
in Motivation and Support
I only have 3 friends :'( mainly because I don't ask anyone to be my friend. I feel like I'm being a bother, I mean, what if they have over 100 friends? Do they really want another?

I also feel it's easy to look at my profile and keep up with my friends because I only have three :)

Anyway, do you feel it's beneficial for success to have many friends?
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Replies

  • lorib642
    lorib642 Posts: 1,942 Member
    I like rooting for each other but you can do that with 3 friends. I don't think having many friends would make a difference for me. The friends I have are mostly active so I do hear from them.
  • muffinsandcakes
    muffinsandcakes Posts: 333 Member
    we can be friends welcome :)
  • hortensehildegarde
    hortensehildegarde Posts: 592 Member
    I like to see what others are doing but you are correct it can get difficult to keep up when you have too many, then you can't really interact in any meaningful fashion. Once I am caught up on my list if I care to "interact" more I can always look on the forums.

    So no, I don't think it's beneficial for success.

    Also you shouldn't feel like you are a bother, most people who don't want any more requests at all say so in their profile I think. And if they don't want to add you, they won't. Just don't feel bad if you don't have your request accepted.
  • MarziPanda95
    MarziPanda95 Posts: 1,326 Member
    I've only got two friends on here, both of which are people I know in real life. I, like you, am worried about being a bother and I'm too shy to actually PM anyone so I don't think I'd be a very good friend as I probably wouldn't talk to them :\ on the other hand, I've done perfectly fine on here without friends as I've lost 26 pounds since June :blush: friends are probably helpful, but not necessary.
  • Leenda62
    Leenda62 Posts: 96 Member
    For me, it has changed everything. I am no longer a woman trying to lose weight I am just living a healthy life style and having friends while I do. I get support and ideas from my friends. Feel free to friend request people, especially people you see who are very active on the pages. Good luck with your journey.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Depends on you... everyone is different.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    I have friends for entertainment purposes.
  • trinatrina1984
    trinatrina1984 Posts: 1,018 Member
    OdesAngel wrote: »
    I have friends for entertainment purposes.

    Yeah same here, one of the main things that makes me continue using MFP is having funny friends - it makes the whole weight loss thing less of a chore and more fun.
  • Stargazer525
    Stargazer525 Posts: 70 Member
    I find having friends on here a real help. Hearing their stories, sharing their successes comforting them when they're struggling or down.

    Feel free to add me, you won't be a bother. :)
  • FoogooFish
    FoogooFish Posts: 54 Member
    I have a small handful of acqaintances on MFP, but they're not a factor in my results. I'm here to use the diary and food database functions moreso than to socialize. :) For some people, though, having a support group is an important factor in their success or lack thereof.
  • JustFindingMe
    JustFindingMe Posts: 390 Member
    I like having friends, it keeps the ideas fresh and I laugh a lot. I do agree that the number is not of any importance. You can have a great experience with any amount, however it is really difficult to keep up with a friend list that is too big :)
  • LabAgility
    LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
    I like friends with open diaries because it gives me ideas. I also feel more motivated when folks are posting their activity. I think they help me. I also make a point to leave personal comments instead of only likes because it keeps it more personal.
  • Artionis
    Artionis Posts: 105 Member
    What matters is how important it is to you, not to me. Personally, I find having a few friends is pleasant and adds to mfp experience. However, what I do (or don't do) in regards to food and exercise is not impacted in any way.

    Some people seem to "collect" friends like collecting followers in twitter -- and the relationships are not as deep. Having three friends that you interact with on a personal basis is, imo, much more meaningful than having a hundred "friends" who are essentially anonymous followers.
  • pirate_john_75
    pirate_john_75 Posts: 96 Member
    It's up to the individual. Personally, I like it when I post a check-in that reflects a weight loss and I get twelve "likes" and ten "attaboy" comments. But that's just me. Some people would rather not see those.
  • HealthySideofLife
    HealthySideofLife Posts: 80 Member
    I think that everyone could use hero and support, whether they have 100 or 3 friends on their list. I don't really ask to be people's friends either, but I always say that I'll be someone's friend if they want one! My reason for not asking is not because I feel like I'm bothering people, I just don't lol.

    So, with that said, feel free to add me, along with anyone else!
  • ShannonS921
    ShannonS921 Posts: 194
    It is important for me to have friends here, simply to have others that understand and others I can reach out to for help. Plus, all of my friends are entertaining as hell! :smile:
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  • LeslieTSUK
    LeslieTSUK Posts: 215 Member
    I guess for me, i'm ok on my own in so much as I know what I doing, have my set routines, and I know even if I screw up along the way it back to the grind the next day.

    But it a nice feeling being able to advise others from my own personal experiences, and there is always that chance you may learn something new, or gives you ideas for things that on ya own maybe never have thought of.

    But others do need that support network, they need the constant accountability for their good and bad habits.

    So each to their own at end of the day :)
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    I like having my friends for multiple reasons:
    One, they keep me accountable.
    Two, I laugh my a** off, a LOT!
    Three, I like to cheer them on and be there for them.
    Four, I like looking at diaries and getting ideas.
    Five, they make this journey a heck of a lot easier.
  • shannishan05
    shannishan05 Posts: 119 Member
    I love the support that having friends on MFP provides. Many of the weight conversations I have, I don't have in "real life". I love having a place that I can talk comfortably about an issue that is important and relevant to me. My MFP fam keeps me motivated, as well as, entertained.
  • LumberJacck
    LumberJacck Posts: 559 Member
    I've set the Chrome browser to go to mfp.com/forums/ so I never see what my friends are doing. Sorry if you're my friend. Given that only about 15% of people here will reach their goal weight, I tend to not rely on the successes of others here. For me, weight loss is relatively solitary.
  • RunnerStephe
    RunnerStephe Posts: 2,195
    Love my friends here. What's with the pic? Post yourself. Maybe you'll have friends. I'm not trying to be mean.
  • shortly2Bthin
    shortly2Bthin Posts: 84
    I like having friends here, people in the same boast so to speak. I get ideas from what other people are posting. I don't think it's necessary for success, but it doesn't hurt.
  • LeonCX
    LeonCX Posts: 862 Member
    I have too many restraining orders, or I would add you.
  • Alluminati
    Alluminati Posts: 6,208 Member
    emily_stew wrote: »
    OdesAngel wrote: »
    I have friends for entertainment purposes.

    HEY! Is that all I am to you?!
    love-085.gif
  • lunalee84
    lunalee84 Posts: 372 Member
    I don't talk about my health and fitness in my real life, so I love having my friends here to cheer me on, or give me advice without any judgement. Extra support and fun can't be bad.
  • NK1112
    NK1112 Posts: 781 Member
    I use FaceBook for my social media ... and I use these discussion groups on MFP to interact with people here. There is one or two groups I have joined and post on them, and read the posts of other members, on a daily basis. That's enough for me. Otherwise I would never get off this computer and I spend much too much time on it as it is already.

  • blossomingbutterfly
    blossomingbutterfly Posts: 743 Member
    I love having the support of friends on here for me. I have found that it's been a motivation to get going and it gives me new ideas. So for me, yes, friends is important to have on here.

    But to each their own.
  • Tiamo719
    Tiamo719 Posts: 256 Member
    Thank you for all the responses! I have my diary open and I write in my blog which is open to my friends only. My blog is very boring :-/

    I am active every day but more so during the week.

    I am going to lose this weight with or without friends but it's nice to have the support of true fighters. :)

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