Locked Diary..Why?

ACanadian22

For people here with a closed diary, why do you do it?

I do it because I have a very big fear I will be judged not only for the days that I eat too much but for the ones I eat too little too. Add to that, what I eat is pretty junky some days even if I make my cals

kommodevaran

MFP is one of the most judgement free zones I have ever come across. Whenever people's diets are discussed, it's more about what's helpful, than about what's right or wrong.

seska422

It's the default. Unless someone chases down how to unlock it, then the diary is locked.

malibu927

Because it’s nobody’s business what I eat

pinuplove

I've tried both and find it easier to be honest with myself when I know I'm the only one who can see it. Not that people are queuing up to see what I had for dinner It's mostly a mental game.

DoubleUbea

malibu927 wrote: »

Because it’s nobody’s business what I eat

EXACTLY!

cmriverside

I would ask just the opposite:

Why would someone need/want to have an open diary?

pinuplove

cmriverside wrote: »

I would ask just the opposite:

Why would someone need/want to have an open diary?

I'll admit I make more of an effort to eat 'well' so my diary looks better if other people can see it. Should I do that anyway for my own health? Of course! Do I care too much what other people think of me? Definitely. I don't need the self-induced stress so I keep mine private now.

I have days where nary a fruit or vegetable makes its way into my food log, other than maybe some tomato sauce on my pasta or lettuce & tomato on a burger.

motivatedmartha

cmriverside wrote: »

I would ask just the opposite:

Why would someone need/want to have an open diary?

I like to have some friends who have open diaries as it gives me ideas for some different food combinations (although meals from across the pond occasionally leave me bewildered). Because of this it is only fair that my diary is open. I trust my mfp friends to not judge - after all most of us are here because we ate too much! If someone abused that trust I would remove them from my friend list (no-one has yet) I do welcome constructive comments/ideas/ suggestions as I am still learning.

kshama2001

kommodevaran wrote: »

MFP is one of the most judgement free zones I have ever come across. Whenever people's diets are discussed, it's more about what's helpful, than about what's right or wrong.

When someone asks for help, yes.

I have for sure seen diary shaming here on the boards though. Mostly of a person who advocates a WOE to which the shamer does not subscribe.

genpopadopolous

pinuplove wrote: »

I've tried both and find it easier to be honest with myself when I know I'm the only one who can see it. Not that people are queuing up to see what I had for dinner It's mostly a mental game.

See, I feel the exact opposite.

If I know people can see it, I am more likely to "fudge" to make it look better. When mine is closed I tend to log more honestly.

fb47

ACanadian22 wrote: »

For people here with a closed diary, why do you do it?

I do it because I have a very big fear I will be judged not only for the days that I eat too much but for the ones I eat too little too. Add to that, what I eat is pretty junky some days even if I make my cals

I don't even think people read my diary despite being open. I don't see the need of closing it, if you're undereating for example, wouldn't you want someone to point out your mistake??? But then again, most of the time, when you close the diary, people just click "Like" and not read it at all.

PS I've had days where I went over by 1000 calories and I still wouldn't get any replies, so I highly doubt someone would judge you big time.

pinuplove

fb47 wrote: »

ACanadian22 wrote: »

For people here with a closed diary, why do you do it?

I do it because I have a very big fear I will be judged not only for the days that I eat too much but for the ones I eat too little too. Add to that, what I eat is pretty junky some days even if I make my cals

I don't even think people read my diary despite being open. I don't see the need of closing it, if you're undereating for example, wouldn't you want someone to point out your mistake??? But then again, most of the time, when you close the diary, people just click "Like" and not read it at all.

PS I've had days where I went over by 1000 calories and I still wouldn't get any replies, so I highly doubt someone would judge you big time.

I never close my diary, since no one can read it anyway and the 5 week prediction is behind ridiculous.

I don't 'like' anyone else's without reading it though. I'm not going to like someone routinely closing out a 900-calorie day, for example.

fuzzylop72

I eat pretty boring day to day, so I don't want to inflict my eating choices on others

snemberton

Mine is open if you are a friend. Feel free to friend request. If you look normal, I'll approve. Not big on approving guys who have only a dozen female friends, as that seems sketchy to me.

I'm slightly interested in keeping a shred of privacy, so I don't just open my life up to everyone. It probably doesn't matter truly, but let me have my delusions.

CarvedTones

cmriverside wrote: »

I would ask just the opposite:

Why would someone need/want to have an open diary?

The short answer is I have nothing to hide.

We have some reasonable expectation of anonymity. When I ask a question or post an opinion, it can give context if someone wants to go look. Of course, I could have made up the menus and the weigh ins along the way so people could still choose not to believe me if I tell them I mix in a lot of sweet junk food, lost 65 pounds and have been maintaining the loss for over 4 months.

As far as head games about logging honestly or not depending on whether or not people see it, to me that shows a lack of commitment. Either it's really important and you log accurately or it isn't that important. I can't control what people think if they do or don't see what I eat.

fb47

cmriverside wrote: »

I would ask just the opposite:

Why would someone need/want to have an open diary?

It's not like you have personal or banking information shown to the public. But then again, maybe it's just me. I don't see the big deal. It's only food.

pinuplove

CarvedTones wrote: »

cmriverside wrote: »

I would ask just the opposite:

Why would someone need/want to have an open diary?

As far as head games about logging honestly or not depending on whether or not people see it, to me that shows a lack of commitment. Either it's really important and you log accurately or it isn't that important. I can't control what people think if they do or don't see what I eat.

I know for me, it's not a matter of commitment or logging accurately (I always log accurately regardless of whether or not my diary is open) but more about the mental pressure I place on myself. No one needs to be actively judging me; in fact I've never experienced that here. I struggle with perfectionism in other aspects of my life as well. Part of dealing with that is finding ways to make myself more comfortable and accepting of my own perceived failings.

I wish I could have an 'I don't give a *kitten*' attitude, but that's just not how I'm wired.

j_gibbs

MFP is a tool that I use for my own personal benefit and I have no idea why anyone else would want to know about my dietary choices, tbh. Perhaps it comes down to each of us using this particular tool in ways that suit us and our goals. For some people that means an open diary, accountability, sharing ideas, and making connections to keep on track. And for others of us it's just an online, personal food diary with a forum that is fun to pop into sometimes. And that's okay.

Kandisn29

The added accountability helps me, so I keep mine open. But to each their own.

Lounmoun

cmriverside wrote: »

I would ask just the opposite:

Why would someone need/want to have an open diary?

When I started here I looked at diaries and it seemed like if I was going to look at someone else's diary mine should also be open for people to look at too. I also opened my diary so people could see someone eating normally and managing their weight without extremely restrictive dieting. I don't know if anyone ever looks. I have not gotten comments.
It isn't a big deal to me either way.