Open Diaries vs Closed Diaries
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For what it's worth no one has ever given me unsolicited advice on my diet (from here anyway lol)1
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mrsnattybulking wrote: »For what it's worth no one has ever given me unsolicited advice on my diet (from here anyway lol)
Same here... I am still shocked people actually do that.1 -
My food diary is firmly closed. I have problems dealing with salicylates and histamine, probably oxalates too along with dairy, bovine dairy, type 1, casein. A consequence of untreated Hashimoto's (which in me and many others causes food sensitivities. These drive a coach and horses through what would be considered a normal diet, its very, very restrictive, the sort of thing which comes under the title of unsustainable). What salicylates intolerance leaves open, histamine intolerance messes with. My early, on here, dietary habits would expose me to well intentioned criticism, unknowing, if you, nor someone close to you experienced this you understandably don't know. (confirmed through immunology, I and others like me are described as being at the cutting edge of science by this UK Professor)
With deep relief I've found digestive enzymes for phenols, diary x2 and many more issues, as well as digestive microbes. With a BANT registered nutritionist, we've taken the edge off my Hashimoto's, if not eliminated it. (this involved recognising through blood tests the cause of my molecule mimicry) Now I'm able to enjoy normal foods, generally home made using nuts, beans, cheese's and so many vegies and fruit, I've not eaten for years. It has brought a slight additional weight problem but I'm not ready to address that one just yet.
The good news is, I walked a path not walked for over 30 years and I was astounded, it was so very easy.
Before anyone designates my comment as woo.
Its not woo when there is medical, immunological, nutritional information out there on pub med and other medical teaching hospital sites, particularly relating to autoimmunity and the shared digestive symptoms caused by Hashimoto's and other autoimmune issues like IBS and others, their ability to slow the digestion which makes life problematic for digestive microbes so they become restricted in numbers/species and often makes them out of balance, resulting in nutritional deficiencies which then deplete a bodies ability to make the necessary enzymes. Over use of antibiotics as well as over the counter pain relief also has a bearing on the state of the digestive tract too. It was an Australian Hospital who's research department identified salicylate as an issue. (many plants use salicylate as their protection from moulds and mildews, which are also microbes and closely related.) I can't remember the authority for Histamine Intolerance but it is considered to underpin many cases of IBS and similar digestive problems.
The enzymes I use are made by a company who support Autistic children. The Microbes by another company which has several mixes which do not increase histamine. There is so much we do not know about ourselves medically and a startling relationship between digestive microbes, transit duration and so much more. Its frightening for how ill it all made me, for how very long too compared to how well I'm now.
Be open if you like and private if you need to.7 -
I keep mine open. Comment, dont comment, I dont care. I am going to do what I want anyway. I don't think my friends look at it anyway.1
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Mine was open for the first few months. I felt it held me accountable.
Then I had a very stressful period with a car wreck and work stuff, and found myself embarrassed to log the food I was stress-eating. So I just wouldn't log it.
It didn't take long for me to figure out that this was helping nobody, so I locked my diary and went back to honest logging. Right now it's still locked but a couple people have the key so they can copy recipes I've logged.
I might open it back up at some point, but locked is still good for me for now.
EDIT: Actually, I've been pretty consistent with logging for a while now, maybe I'll test the waters. Opening my diary now.8 -
thewindandthework wrote: »Mine was open for the first few months. I felt it held me accountable.
Then I had a very stressful period with a car wreck and work stuff, and found myself embarrassed to log the food I was stress-eating. So I just wouldn't log it.
It didn't take long for me to figure out that this was helping nobody, so I locked my diary and went back to honest logging. Right now it's still locked but a couple people have the key so they can copy recipes I've logged.
I might open it back up at some point, but locked is still good for me for now.
EDIT: Actually, I've been pretty consistent with logging for a while now, maybe I'll test the waters. Opening my diary now.
How dare you eat that and THAT!! :laugh:
FTR- I didn't even look... I'm on the app and can't be bothered. Which is why it surprised me that people actually do that and then actually comment.3 -
There is a story in this for me. In 2011 I lost 50 lbs. I was doing great! Someone on one of these threads opened my diary and commented on a fluffernutter sandwich! Whatever dude I know it wasn't healthy but it was something I was doing on cheat day that was keeping me motivated. After that I really got down.... it's crazy I first tried to eat like a total health nut! Which was totally not me at the time (it is now for the most part
But I then started to binge eat because for me I need a treat sometimes. Binge eating lead to lying on my diary which lead to fat which lead to starting over! Needless to say I keep mine private. It's easier to be honest and I stay more accountable. Just my own 2 cents and personal experience.... to each their own. 3 -
KimbersNewLife wrote: »There is a story in this for me. In 2011 I lost 50 lbs. I was doing great! Someone on one of these threads opened my diary and commented on a fluffernutter sandwich! Whatever dude I know it wasn't healthy but it was something I was doing on cheat day that was keeping me motivated. After that I really got down.... it's crazy I first tried to eat like a total health nut! Which was totally not me at the time (it is now for the most part But I then started to binge eat because for me I need a treat sometimes. Binge eating lead to lying on my diary which lead to fat which lead to starting over! Needless to say I keep mine private. It's easier to be honest and I stay more accountable. Just my own 2 cents and personal experience.... to each their own.
I would have told that person to go eff themselves and kept on doing me. No need to justify your food. No one is buying my groceries so they can stuff it. :laugh:7 -
It just seems like basic privacy, this is the internet after all.2
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Chef_Barbell wrote: »KimbersNewLife wrote: »There is a story in this for me. In 2011 I lost 50 lbs. I was doing great! Someone on one of these threads opened my diary and commented on a fluffernutter sandwich! Whatever dude I know it wasn't healthy but it was something I was doing on cheat day that was keeping me motivated. After that I really got down.... it's crazy I first tried to eat like a total health nut! Which was totally not me at the time (it is now for the most part But I then started to binge eat because for me I need a treat sometimes. Binge eating lead to lying on my diary which lead to fat which lead to starting over! Needless to say I keep mine private. It's easier to be honest and I stay more accountable. Just my own 2 cents and personal experience.... to each their own.
I would have told that person to go eff themselves and kept on doing me. No need to justify your food. No one is buying my groceries so they can stuff it. :laugh:
Totally this!! I'm on my own track and will make my own decisions. Those who cross the line might get a warning shot if I really like them. Other than that, they gotta go.
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Open to friends. Sometimes people ask about new foods, or how I cook things, or I learn from them, which is kind of fun.
I have good (maybe too good ) ego strength. If anyone critiques/questions my nutrition or habits, I'll think about it, research if appropriate, and either take it on board or tell them why they're wrong. If someone were an inappropriately persistent jerk, I'd unfriend them, but that hasn't happened so far.
I do read others' diaries, and have commented on something that seemed consistent but risky, like consistently hyper-low protein or tiny amounts of fruit/veg, especially if they're new here, or they've asked a question in their statuses that makes it relevant. Isn't that part of why this is social/shareable?
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Yes, this makes sense. If I asked a question in a thread, I would expect and maybe even invite folks to take a look and provide some input. And, as you mention, with friends that are newbies, I'll take a look in order to encourage them. If I seem something that could stand adjusting, I'll mention that in the context of how good they are doing overall. But I couldn't imagine telling someone that what they were doing was just plain wrong.Open to friends. Sometimes people ask about new foods, or how I cook things, or I learn from them, which is kind of fun.
I have good (maybe too good ) ego strength. If anyone critiques/questions my nutrition or habits, I'll think about it, research if appropriate, and either take it on board or tell them why they're wrong. If someone were an inappropriately persistent jerk, I'd unfriend them, but that hasn't happened so far.
I do read others' diaries, and have commented on something that seemed consistent but risky, like consistently hyper-low protein or tiny amounts of fruit/veg, especially if they're new here, or they've asked a question in their statuses that makes it relevant. Isn't that part of why this is social/shareable?
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Doesn't really make a difference to me. I just like to look and see what others are eating to give me some ideas.1
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I think it's a personal preference thing.
I've lost close to 50 lbs now since October and mine is closed. I don't see a need for it to be open and I don't look at other people's diaries.2 -
Mine is open but it's wacky
I've never consistently logged online throughout this whole process, and have just used mfp to spot check once in a while. I've just started logging daily though, (day 3?), but only my veggie and fruit intake. I'm doing this for a personal challenge, and if someone looks at my diary it's going to seem a bit "off". I'm sure at some point I'll get a message about it lol. 0 -
Mine's open to hold me accountable when I comment about how I eat. I've never had any comments, and wouldn't expect to unless I posted something outrageous about my diet and got called on it. Or I lost my mind and started a thread about "HEELLP!! CAN'T LOOSE ON 700 CALORIES!! I don't look at other people's diaries because I'm really not interested.3
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Mine is public, having it open cuts down on a lot of friend requests! It used to seriously irk me when i friended someone when i first joined here specifically to see and get ideas from their diary only to find it closed.
I rarely look at anyone's diary these days and I seriously doubt anyone cares enough to look at mine.
Now, the only time a closed diary bugs me is when someone on here constantly preaches about clean eating and avoiding ALL processed foods and that we're all gonna die from that one grain of sugar yada yada, only to find out that their diary is not only closed but under lock and key :huh:
Also it's difficult to give proper advice on a "Why am i not losing weight" thread" when their diary is closed.7 -
I think mine is open to friends. But since I only have 2 friends and they aren't the type to go look it might as well be private (which is fine since I track medications in mine along with food).
But I never understood why anyone would care what someone else was eating enough to comment negatively without being asked for advice.0 -
Mine is open and always has been on the basis I don't really care what other people think, I'm accountable to myself not strangers.
(BTW - I only log once in a blue moon now, for precision on cycling days)
Does seem a strong correlation between closed diaries and the "I'm doing all the right things but not losing weight" threads that crop up.
Doesn't mean people are being secret eaters of course but maybe they might be missing some hints and tips from diary surfers?5 -
Mine is open. I've never had someone comment negatively on it. I've had a couple of friends mention when I'm restricting calories pretty heavily but I take that as a good head's up most of the time. I like looking at my friend's diaries to see how the fit their Tetris game of calories for the day and some of their food sounds waaaay better than mine. 0
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Mine was open to start with but closed now. I'm here to gain and,eventually,maintain. I have IBD which means my diet is fairly limited and I've had a few judgey comments about the lack of fruit,veg etc so I closed it1
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Mine is closed because I like it that way. I've had issues with stress eating and binging and didn't want the logs of that public.
Also, I started out on my old account with a public diary and someone went tip-toeing through my diary and tried shaming me on the forums about my dietary choices, and I'm one of those "healthy eaters with just an occasional small treat every now and then" types. It was truly pathetic and I closed my diary from that day forward.4 -
For me personally, I find no value in having it open. It's not that I'm worried about negative comments, more that I really can't be bothered discussing it and having it open is an invitation to do that. I use a large number of recipes, so my diary isn't really of value to anyone else.1
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Mine was open to friends only, when I was still loosing. I Ieft MFP for few months and when I came back I decided to keep my diary close, my profile private, and no friends. Life in MFP world is easier now.
My eating habits are my business and like some members posted, I don't think that having an open diary will help me or anybody else. I am in maintenance and I don't log consistently anyway.0 -
Mine is open.
I like reading other diaries to get ideas on meals, supplements & strength training exercises others are taking / doing who are on a similar journey to me.
No judgements just an opportunity to learn.
I've recieved less than positive comments but then I remember those people don't pay my bills, know my life, or register as significant in anyway. Nexxxxxt..4 -
I'm finding that keeping mine open keeps me more accountable1
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MarziPanda95 wrote: »Mine is closed. If it were open, I would personally be more likely to lie. I wouldn't log all the 'bad' foods I eat because I wouldn't want to be judged.
I am exactly the other way round. My brain is okay with me lying to myself, but never ever with me lying to others.
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The worst thing I've done to someone with an open diary is delete them for constantly eating VLC, I'm not going to "like" your eating disorder but I wouldn't dare have said anything either; that's their business. I'm shocked to read how many (even though just a handful) have had negative comments about theirs. I'd get very vicious if someone dared give me unsolicited advice on what I put in my body haha4
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mrsnattybulking wrote: »The worst thing I've done to someone with an open diary is delete them for constantly eating VLC, I'm not going to "like" your eating disorder but I wouldn't dare have said anything either; that's their business. I'm shocked to read how many (even though just a handful) have had negative comments about theirs. I'd get very vicious if someone dared give me unsolicited advice on what I put in my body haha
So much word! Smh. What the heck is wrong with people?1
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