Open diary -vs- closed diary

Orphia

I've had my food diary set to "Public" ever since I started at MFP. I've lost 32 kg (70 lbs) since April.

I think having your diary viewable, even if just to friends, makes you less likely to do things you're ashamed of.

(I've never had anyone criticise my diary. But I've had one person ask me if they could have a printed version, since they liked it so much! )

Anyone else think having an open diary makes them more accountable?

Or are there weight loss benefits in a closed diary, and I just can't see them?

Weigh in!

Christine_72

I think some people are more honest if their diary is closed. They may be to embarrassed to log certain things or overages if they know it's there for all to see, so they might not log those things at all, so end up cheating themselves..

Orphia

Christine_72 wrote: »

I think some people are more honest if their diary is closed. They may be to embarrassed to log certain things or overages if they know it's there for all to see, so they might not log those things at all, so end up cheating themselves..

Wow, that did not occur to me.

I guess I don't see some foods as "good" or "bad".

Alatariel75

I figure that as the default is closed, by opening it I'm implying that i welcome discussion on what i eat, and i don't. I'd be honest either way, but when i had it open for a time and people would comment, id either ignore them, which i felt was rude, or have to discuss what i was eating, which i couldn't be bothered doing.

chimaerandi

My diary is closed because I doubt I would be as on the level as I am if it were open to comment. If I ever asked the community why I wasn't losing or something, I would open it.

Orphia

Alatariel75 wrote: »

I figure that as the default is closed, by opening it I'm implying that i welcome discussion on what i eat, and i don't. I'd be honest either way, but when i had it open for a time and people would comment, id either ignore them, which i felt was rude, or have to discuss what i was eating, which i couldn't be bothered doing.

LOL, I see your point. I probably do ignore people sometimes, but nobody really comments much.

Alatariel75

Orphia wrote: »

Alatariel75 wrote: »

I figure that as the default is closed, by opening it I'm implying that i welcome discussion on what i eat, and i don't. I'd be honest either way, but when i had it open for a time and people would comment, id either ignore them, which i felt was rude, or have to discuss what i was eating, which i couldn't be bothered doing.

LOL, I see your point. I probably do ignore people sometimes, but nobody really comments much.

I've actually thought about this a bit, because I've seen it asked a bit and I don't think I'd be any less or more honest if it were open. I just don't like explaining myself haaaha. "Why was your lunch half a cup of jello, three dill pickles, 2 sips of an ice tea, a tin of tuna and half a hot cross bun?" "....... *blank look...."

Orphia

chimaerandi wrote: »

My diary is closed because I doubt I would be as on the level as I am if it were open to comment. If I ever asked the community why I wasn't losing or something, I would open it.

I guess it didn't occur to me not to be honest.

Orphia

Alatariel75 wrote: »

Orphia wrote: »

Alatariel75 wrote: »

I figure that as the default is closed, by opening it I'm implying that i welcome discussion on what i eat, and i don't. I'd be honest either way, but when i had it open for a time and people would comment, id either ignore them, which i felt was rude, or have to discuss what i was eating, which i couldn't be bothered doing.

LOL, I see your point. I probably do ignore people sometimes, but nobody really comments much.

I've actually thought about this a bit, because I've seen it asked a bit and I don't think I'd be any less or more honest if it were open. I just don't like explaining myself haaaha. "Why was your lunch half a cup of jello, three dill pickles, 2 sips of an ice tea, a tin of tuna and half a hot cross bun?" "....... *blank look...."

Well, that's a pretty dumb question to be asking! I just assume people aren't so nosy.

Me, I might look at a new friend's diary once or twice to get an idea what they like.

I only comment when something seems delicious and I want to know more.

melonaulait

My diary isn't perfect but it's been open since I joined, too. (Except sometimes I'll close it for a week or two..) I wouldn't want people criticizing my choices or my indulgences, though. Sometimes I already feel guilty enough if I went over my calories... But I feel like honesty is what keeps pushing us all, it's not like you can lose serious weight on MFP by sugar coating whatever you ate and how much.

Anyway, sometimes I feel kinda ashamed to log the beers I drank in one night.

PS. I wish I could add a bold red disclaimer to my diary that says I am aware of my protein % and it fits perfectly to my needs according to cronometer.com

melonaulait

Alatariel75 wrote: »

I've actually thought about this a bit, because I've seen it asked a bit and I don't think I'd be any less or more honest if it were open. I just don't like explaining myself haaaha. "Why was your lunch half a cup of jello, three dill pickles, 2 sips of an ice tea, a tin of tuna and half a hot cross bun?" "....... *blank look...."

Funny! But I agree, I do not want to explain my choices, either. (Why does there even need to be an MFP diary police on duty?)

runningforthetrain

I like having my diary open to my friends. I find it hugely beneficial to get feedback and hold myself accountable. I try to log as honestly as possible.

candidcamster

I've been dishonest by omission lately, in my defense I have binge eating disorder but either way some things don't get logged. This is true whether my diary is open or closed, but when I'm super ashamed I tend to privatize it.

njaalla

My diary is open for my friends only and so far, I never got any questions on what I eat. I wouldn't want to explain why I eat something the way I eat it, but if someone were curious about something I ate, I'd gladly share the recipe.

However, I always wonder how much sense people can make out of my diary anyway. I try to log most things in English, but it's not my native language and I don't live in an English-speaking country either. So when I add food by scanning the bar code, it ends up being in the local or some random other language... Sometimes even I have problems to understand what I actually ate.

runningforthetrain

Candidcamster --I have not suffered from this disorder but, I would think (or hope at least) people would be compassionate about it. I am curious if being open about it would help?

CoffeeNCardio

I keep mine public to dispel the idiotic myth that you can't eat "bad" food and lose weight. I hope someone who isn't sure and is getting slowly sucked into the vortex of woo can see that mcdonald's is not the devil, sugar doesn't make your belly "stuck" on you, and coffee is the elixir of life. Maybe scratch that last one, but in any case, I don't actually care if my mfp friends see my diary and don't like it. I like them all, and I value their friendship and motivation, but I'm down just shy of 30 lbs, mcdonald's, easy mac, and all.

Disclaimer: There is no such thing as bad food, unless you mean rotten, when it comes to weight loss. Nutrition is another matter, and has nothing to do with my point here.

annette_15

My diary is open. Im pretty sure nobody ever looks at it. I have very few friends on here (i only accept ppl i know irl unless I have interacted with them online for a while), and I never complete my diary or post on my feed or update my weight, so Its not like im over here being like 'Hey, check out how many calories I ate today!' lol

tomteboda

I'm a private person. That my diary is open to my friends is nothing short of a miracle.

webtoad

I didn't realise it was set to private by default. I have now changed min to public (which I assumed it always was).

LucasEVille

My diary my business, I've password locked it to only people I cook for as they can copy the meal.
I've been criticized before by non CICO believers and I really don't care about what people think of my food choices.

Qskim

I'm glad MFP recognises that people's needs and motives are very individual and offer a variety of ways to cater to that.

I make no assumptions that either choice guarantees long term success.

Shrinking_Erin

The only comment on my diary (open to friend) is that it's interesting to look at, as most of the foods listed are in Dutch. I live in the Netherlands now and use the scanner as often as I can. I feel like I am honest in my logging 99% of the time.

KateTii

I opened my diary as I don't care if people read it and I don't care if they don't. I mainly keep it open just in case someone gets some use from it being open.

callsitlikeiseeit

mine is open because i dont care what people think.

it also shows people (especially new ones) that you don't have to eat special things or stay away from things and you can still lose weight (im down 80+ pounds total)

i had one 'friend' accuse me of being an alcoholic. i guess if one or two nights a month of drinking with friends makes me that, sure.

i also deleted her *kitten*.

Other than that, ive never had anyone say anything to me lol

Weaz66

Mine is open to my friends. I don't mind anyone looking at it. And you could say I'm a diary stalker, LOL. I actually enjoy looking at others diaries to get ideas.....I never know what to make or eat.

booksandchocolate12

My diary is closed. I never look at other people's diaries unless they say they're not losing and don't know why.

If I ever find myself in that situation, I'll open my diary. Till then, I don't need to be harassed by woo-peddlers and/or well meaning but uninformed friends who tell me that I need to stop eating chocolate or bacon or whatever else is the forbidden food du jour.

cnbbnc

I do look at friends diaries but I never criticize because it's not my place. We all have different goals and none of us are perfect. I like looking because it gives me ideas on different things to try myself. I keep mine open with the same in mind for them. I don't think having mine open keeps me eating to impress anyone.....

I've never once thought of it as opening up discussion for criticism, unless someone asks for comments.

clhoward6

Mine is completely open but I don't think anyone would bother looking. They might raise an eyebrow at my choice of breakfasts lately. I've found that eating meaty things in the morning keeps me going until lunch whereas porridge doesn't. I've not had time to go shopping so I've been grabbing easy things on the way to work. Like scotch eggs and sausage rolls.

I'm not worried though. I'm logging everything and losing weight so I'm happy.

booksandchocolate12

Forgot to add, re: accountability:

You guys are great, but I don't feel a responsibility to any of you to log accurately or make good choices. I have a responsibility to myself to do that and I don't need an open diary to fulfill that responsibility.

shinycrazy

I made mine open from the start to friends and recently made it public. I find that it motivates me to make wiser food choices.

Lounmoun

I don't feel it makes a difference for me if my diary is open or closed.
My diary is open but I don't really think about it as being accountable to anyone. I'm logging as a tool for me... more like data collection. It isn't an emotional experience or extra motivating because it is open.
I don't think people are wading through my diary all the time but I'd like people who might look at it to see you can eat regular food and lose weight. I'm not a binge eater nor am I going for perfect dieter award. I'm not ashamed or guilty over food I eat.

I think people should use the tool however they want. Public, private...whatever makes you feel comfortable logging everything.