So... how come mfp is so quiet now?
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I usually check my notifications page before checking the boards via topic area. Judging things like my AM new notifications count, I think most of the volume may still be there, but more focussed in particular threads (that "Coronavirus Prep" one is very, very busy ).
It does seem like there are fewer new general/miscellaneous posts, though.
Longer term, I subjectively think volume is down . . . like it felt as if this January 1 wasn't as busy as last year. Maybe the trend has moved on to Noom, or some other site.
There's a lot of "calorie counting doesn't work" content in the popular blogosphere (I still have subs to some mainstream e-newsletters where I see this, for example). I don't know whether there's more of that (more focused, if not more numerous) than previously, though. There are trends within dumbness, though, for sure.
Note to self: Unsubscribing stupid newsletters I mostly ignore would be a good use of quarantine time.
I have noticed that, too. A huuuuuuge influx of "calorie counting doesn't work" stuff all over the web, like just in the last few weeks.
Must be some kind of post-New Year's resolution post-mortem thing.
It's odd that year after year, the one thing that actually works and is completely proven and dependable for weight loss is decried as the thing that doesn't work. It's like reading year in and year out that if you want to take a trip by sea, the one thing you absolutely cannot do is use a boat, anything else is OK but for God sake do NOT get on a boat.
It's hard to generate revenue from something pretty much anyone can do on their own for free, by paying attention. Calorie counting is grabbing at the wallets of those who profit from a continuing dieting merry-go-round that runs on unsustainable solutions.**
Also, many people fail at it because - frankly - it's sort of annoying until one gets in the swing of it, maybe takes a couple of weeks, and I think a lot of people decide it doesn't work for them at that fiddly stage, so are grabbing at any alternative . . . especially one that plays into our individual psychological triggers (things like "clean will be rewarded", "one weird (or magic) trick that . . .", and many more).
Did you ever read those articles with attention to what they're (often) saying about why calorie counting doesn't work? It's sort of informative. It's usually not reasons why it can't work (objectively), but rather about how it isn't the only thing to care about in order to succeed (like satiation, for example), or why one might find it annoying, or why outlier conditions that "can't be counted" (like restaurant meals) are doom, or that calorie needs estimates can be incorrect, or other majoring in the minors.
** Do I think calorie counting is sustainable, or even doable as an individual practical matter for absolutely everyone? No. I don't.3 -
Impatience also sometimes plays a role in weight loss options, people want fast results and big results..
I wouldnt mind if there was different methods towards the same goal that worked better for some then others to keep their attention.. I just wish that the method would stay honest in saying that this method is just another path to achieving calorie deficit. Rather then saying carbs are the devil, you cant lose weight if you eat them. Etc4 -
Speaking for myself. Before this, I had a sort of a routine. I didn't know I had a routine until I lost it. Now my routine is all messed up so are my usual habits (including MFP). I find myself doing other things. I do check in, but less often than I used to.
That I'm currently in weight gain mode doesn't help either (it feels disingenuous to offer advice when I'm trying not even trying). I did fine at first and maintained my weight just fine, but I wasn't ready for how much quarantine cooking everyone in the family would end up doing after a while of being cooped up. It's like they're using cooking to pass time. I had a set of breakfasts and dinners I cycled through and left the bulk of my calories for lunch (often cooked by others and high in calories) and that worked well, now I'm in a novel situation and I don't know what to do with my calories so I just stopped caring. I'm hoping this IDGAF mode won't last long so I can get back to dieting and lose these extra few kilos.17 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »Speaking for myself. Before this, I had a sort of a routine. I didn't know I had a routine until I lost it. Now my routine is all messed up so are my usual habits (including MFP). I find myself doing other things. I do check in, but less often than I used to.
That I'm currently in weight gain mode doesn't help either (it feels disingenuous to offer advice when I'm trying not even trying). I did fine at first and maintained my weight just fine, but I wasn't ready for how much quarantine cooking everyone in the family would end up doing after a while of being cooped up. It's like they're using cooking to pass time. I had a set of breakfasts and dinners I cycled through and left the bulk of my calories for lunch (often cooked by others and high in calories) and that worked well, now I'm in a novel situation and I don't know what to do with my calories so I just stopped caring. I'm hoping this IDGAF mode won't last long so I can get back to dieting and lose these extra few kilos.
I feel your frustration. Being back here again after losing 165lbs the first time and having gained almost all of it back, makes me feel like a fraud for offering advice to others..
But I also try to tell myself, maybe my words can prevent them from becoming me.. someone who has to put my own advice into practice.14 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »I'm hoping this IDGAF mode won't last long so I can get back to dieting and lose these extra few kilos.
STOP it.
And forget about dieting to lose the extra few kilos FOR NOW.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: CONTROL and then STOP any unwanted gains.
It is super annoying that they're cooking and you're smelling it and it is something fun and different. And of course they have more time so they're cooking and baking yummy and favourite stuff.
But you have tools, and guesstimates that you know work close enough for the meals others make, and your spreadsheet... and you know that they will be back at it tomorrow, so no need to fear missing out on something good today as there will be another good thing tomorrow!
And you know how to differentiate between wanting something because you're hungry or for other reasons that have less to do with hunger.
You can do it!
<but given that there is no easy end date, I don't think you should wait for the IDGAF mode to resolve on its own>
14 -
Don't ever think that just because you aren't currently losing weight, that you can't offer advice or your history of what worked for you to others. You've been there, done it and know what it takes. The most important thing is not quitting and getting back to it, regardless if you gained 5 lbs back or 100 lbs, you are honest and brave enough to take it on again. Keep your chin up!14
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amusedmonkey wrote: »I'm hoping this IDGAF mode won't last long so I can get back to dieting and lose these extra few kilos.
STOP it.
And forget about dieting to lose the extra few kilos FOR NOW.
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: CONTROL and then STOP any unwanted gains.
It is super annoying that they're cooking and you're smelling it and it is something fun and different. And of course they have more time so they're cooking and baking yummy and favourite stuff.
But you have tools, and guesstimates that you know work close enough for the meals others make, and your spreadsheet... and you know that they will be back at it tomorrow, so no need to fear missing out on something good today as there will be another good thing tomorrow!
And you know how to differentiate between wanting something because you're hungry or for other reasons that have less to do with hunger.
You can do it!
<but given that there is no easy end date, I don't think you should wait for the IDGAF mode to resolve on its own>
Thankfully, we do have a sort of an end date, and it's not too much longer (2 more weeks). See my issue is that sometimes I just disconnect and stop caring. I think it's a defense mechanism. I rarely ever feel mentally unwell, I just disconnect and life is beautiful. I haven't found a solution for that. I'm pretty sure if I cared I would find a workaround. It's not the strategy part that's failing me, it's the mental part.7 -
coming from someone who used to post a lot...
I don't because I got sick and tired of being jabbed at and poked at and reported for inane stuff...that was alright one day then bam it wasn't without warning.
For example one day I reported a poster for being under aged...and let them know that I had reported them...just as an FYI...and not in a mean way (or that wasn't my intent)
I got put in Jail for that...without any recourse...I and many others had in previous times posted to underaged individuals that we had reported their profile as people under 18 aren't suppose to be here...without incident then all of the sudden it's not okay.
So there...when you silence people boards become quiet...and you are going to find that it becomes more and more quiet as people are silenced more and more...
I post a bit now and then but not nearly as much...I usually read the stuff that is repeated over and over again and see the same information being requested and given...and with the fear of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person or people assuming tone...no point in posting back usually.
*shrugs* I fully expect to get in trouble for this post.
Unfortunately, this is very true. Expert posters have disappeared. Many are afraid to post. You have to toe a very fine line now. There's no fun anymore.12 -
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snowflake954 wrote: »coming from someone who used to post a lot...
I don't because I got sick and tired of being jabbed at and poked at and reported for inane stuff...that was alright one day then bam it wasn't without warning.
For example one day I reported a poster for being under aged...and let them know that I had reported them...just as an FYI...and not in a mean way (or that wasn't my intent)
I got put in Jail for that...without any recourse...I and many others had in previous times posted to underaged individuals that we had reported their profile as people under 18 aren't suppose to be here...without incident then all of the sudden it's not okay.
So there...when you silence people boards become quiet...and you are going to find that it becomes more and more quiet as people are silenced more and more...
I post a bit now and then but not nearly as much...I usually read the stuff that is repeated over and over again and see the same information being requested and given...and with the fear of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person or people assuming tone...no point in posting back usually.
*shrugs* I fully expect to get in trouble for this post.
Unfortunately, this is very true. Expert posters have disappeared. Many are afraid to post. You have to toe a very fine line now. There's no fun anymore.
It's a shame that's how it is, with the amount of unsafe and useless misinformation out there, losing your senior members who contribute to correct information, would be bad for the site in the end because people wouldnt have success here either trying to follow silly diets and using this to log the calories of those silly diets3 -
KrissCanDoThis wrote: »It's a shame that's how it is, with the amount of unsafe and useless misinformation out there, losing your senior members who contribute to correct information, would be bad for the site in the end because people wouldnt have success here either trying to follow silly diets and using this to log the calories of those silly diets
Are the messages on these boards what corporate MFP / UA wants to propagate? Or are the blogs/guest blogs/guest ads/guest write-ups what they believe is appropriate?
Is there unanimous agreement on pushing what works/is perceived to be working? Is there even agreement (or consideration) among the decision making teams as to what works?
The "most useful posts" do not match, to my quick view, a lot of the advertising material I see on the site.
An emphasis on moderation, exploration, finding out what works for you, setting up a process that is sustainable for now and in the future, things that, I at least, try to highlight, I do not know how closely they align with preset "MFP Plans" for this and for that.
And yet "MFP Plans" (and similar initiatives) seem to be the value add direction MFP is heading to as opposed to just emphasizing moderate changes to your caloric balance and how to encourage you to achieve it.5 -
I guess in the end it really boils down to profits and what makes them the most money I suppose, misinformation wont chase people away like what mfp views to be bullying I guess.3
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Yes, it's surpisingly quiet. I check in the morning and find a few new threads to read, check again in the afternoon: nothing really new. In the evening: oh forget about it. Guess people see this period as not good for dieting. I think it's perfect, but then I'm an introvert, thus...5
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Nothing has really changed for me during this other then my shopping and social distancing habits, I stay home normally, and dont usually go out, and even tho I'm off this month, I'm technically still.working same as usual1
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So, on the private message thingy...I think you have to have someone on your friend list to message back and forth in private message.
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Well, I am messaging back and forth with psycho and he hasn't added me yet, but I didnt get his message until after I also tried to message him, unless that message was his second attempt to message me1
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KrissCanDoThis wrote: »Well, I am messaging back and forth with psycho and he hasn't added me yet, but I didnt get his message until after I also tried to message him, unless that message was his second attempt to message me
That's good to know. It's either hit-or-miss or maybe they fixed it? Huh.0 -
Yeah, weird, it's not the first time a message didnt send for me, I find the friend request option really weird now also...
And also... why are we getting points? Lol... are they like currency? Can I buy virtual stickers?2 -
People have other things on their mind right now. The CV threads are pretty full.2
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cmriverside wrote: »KrissCanDoThis wrote: »Well, I am messaging back and forth with psycho and he hasn't added me yet, but I didnt get his message until after I also tried to message him, unless that message was his second attempt to message me
That's good to know. It's either hit-or-miss or maybe they fixed it? Huh.
That's been my experience. For people who aren't MFP friends, sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.0
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