Weekly Check-in Tips and Ideas

chris_in_cal

Hello,

MFP has a bunch of threads and groups for 'weekly check-in," and some monthly ones too.

Many of us here write about accountability, seeking active users, and wanting support.

What are good things you have seen about weekly check-in threads, that keep them vibrant and important. Often they are called 'challenges,' more generally it is keeping folks supportive of each other and keeping up the momentum.

Have you participated in any MFP regular check-ins threads or groups? What did you like about it, how did it work. What are tips and tricks that keep them meaningful and helpful?

chris_in_cal

I'll go first. I found a thread that I am on, it gets renewed each month. Each month participants are asked to write out a single goal, and follow up regularly writing about their progress.

Then the thread goes away and there is a new thread, and everyone goes to the new thread and writes out one new goal....repeat.

About 10-15 people are consistent, and write out their one goal, regularly check in, and when the thread ends all 10-15 go to the new thread and start over. It's good.

Perhaps a check-in thread can work if it is about a single item, as opposed to it being about any/everything. What else?

AnnPT77

I know this is not exactly what you're asking, but I'm a low-structure kind of person, yet still benefit from check-ins to keep myself engaged.

As an example, I participate in one of the "report your exercise" kind of threads over in the Fitness and Exercise area. It doesn't have a defined format, it doesn't inherently ask people to set a goal, there's not a specific schedule to meet . . . people just post what they're doing, maybe make comments on their own or others' workouts, ask/answer questions about the workouts, and that sort of thing.

It's not the only one of its general type in that area, but I'm active in this one:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10705619/what-was-your-work-out-today#latest

Some people will do best with more structure, and your suggestions of where to find that here are on point. Good stuff!

If there are others more like me psychologically, I think it can be useful to read around the Community more generally, because there are other threads/groups that are less structured (photos of meals, NSVs, age group things, specific-brand fitness tracker people, eating-styles, recipe sharing, useful food product sharing, etc.). Those can be a help, too.

chris_in_cal

AnnPT77 wrote: »

I'm a low-structure kind of person, yet still benefit from check-ins to keep myself engaged.

This is useful, thanks.

For me, and perhaps most, there is a benefit from check-ins. Therefore it seems to have two parts: first the user connects with the style of check-in group, and two the thread/group is out there and functioning.

A 'not for me' low structure check-in here on MFP that is wildly successful is the myriad "Kiss the drop the letter one thing say it without saying it" threads, that go on for years. Perhaps fun with zero connection to healthy/weight/fitness/diet is okay here on MFP and keeps the lights on at Corporate HQ.

At least your thread, as low-structure as it is has "work out" as a theme.

Others? What are some threads or challenges or groups that have worked well for you? What was it about them that made them meaningful?

chris_in_cal

A lady posted about the "5% Challenge" and how valuable that check-in was for her. These threads, or groups, here on MFP really seem to be where the juice is for some user.

> 😊👍👍I've lost over 115 LBS thanks to MFP -Pics- Maintaining now- TY to the 5% Challenge!

How about listing some out?

• Group: 5% Community Team
• Thread: Monthly Running Challenge
• Thread: What Was Your Work Out Today?

One is ongoing with thousands of unstructured posts, the 5% is an eight week structure, the Monthly is ... monthly.


What check-ins have you been a part of?

chris_in_cal

Another thing I'm seeing for many of them is there are User/leaders. If something is going to sustain and remain vibrant, it has to be the mission of a leader or a couple of them to want to keep it going. The Monthly Running Challenge has one of a few people to step up every month and keep it going. The thread from 9erbuffs - TLFC - has a theme, a leader, and it is a low-structure ongoing thread.

The structure-less, leaderless, viral areas here are mainly the games. "Say it without saying you would kiss the letter above." threads. ...though the "what was your work out today" is a more targeted, ongoing thread.

• Group: 5% Community Team
• Thread: Monthly Running Challenge
• Thread: What Was Your Work Out Today?
• Thread: "TLFC" exercise and accountability support!

For a newbie who is fishing for something vibrant here on MFP, I may make a post with this list.

_Brigit

This is my 5th or 6th MFP account. I've joined lots of challenges and groups and have met lots of nice people. I find it hard to keep motivated to food journal and work out. I've discovered that I don't want to spend too much time online which is what you need to do if you join a team. I suppose a simple quick thread with one goal that is simple and straight to the point could be helpful.

AnnPT77

chris_in_cal wrote: »

AnnPT77 wrote: »

I'm a low-structure kind of person, yet still benefit from check-ins to keep myself engaged.

This is useful, thanks.

For me, and perhaps most, there is a benefit from check-ins. Therefore it seems to have two parts: first the user connects with the style of check-in group, and two the thread/group is out there and functioning.

A 'not for me' low structure check-in here on MFP that is wildly successful is the myriad "Kiss the drop the letter one thing say it without saying it" threads, that go on for years. Perhaps fun with zero connection to healthy/weight/fitness/diet is okay here on MFP and keeps the lights on at Corporate HQ.

I think that different people are going to have different styles and preferences, different things that keep them engaged and active here. I don't think there's anything wrong with other styles, even if "not for me": Human diversity is part of what makes life interesting.

So, yeah, the chit-chat and fun & games threads don't interest me, either - not at all. For some, I'm guessing they're a form of social bonding, a way to make connections. This next is 100% not a diss, but I suspect the people who enjoy those threads probably don't enjoy the same kinds of topics and activities I enjoy in real life, either (and vice-versa). There's also a . . . flirtatious? . . . nature in some of those threads that doesn't interest me at all, too.

At least your thread, as low-structure as it is has "work out" as a theme.

Others? What are some threads or challenges or groups that have worked well for you? What was it about them that made them meaningful?

If you're asking me, specifically:

I participate on an irregular recurring basis in some of the special interest food threads, like "For the love of produce", "Cheese Admiration and Celebration", and maybe others. I get inspiration and ideas from others there, and can share limited-interest things I'm excited about that many people outside threads like that wouldn't care about. If I weren't vegetarian, I'd probably be more enthusiastic about some more general food or recipe threads, but the things I eat tend to be a subset of what's in those.

I participate in the "60 yrs and up" thread sporadically, because I think we need to have something like that. Too many people in my demographic have become discouraged about losing weight or improving fitness at our age, and we can have low expectations of ourselves as seniors because of common stereotypes in our culture. I like "meeting" people there who challenge the stereotypes and thrive on in personally-suitable ways.

I post on general threads (non check-in) a lot because getting active and reaching a healthy weight have been powerful quality of life improvements for me, so if there's a small chance I can help someone else succeed - as others have helped me - that makes me happy. Staying engaged in the Community in general helps me stay engaged in attending to my own health and fitness, too.

chris_in_cal

Clearly you are right about diversity.

AnnPT77 wrote: »

Staying engaged in the Community in general helps me stay engaged in attending to my own health and fitness, too.

This is a very powerful tip. There is a lot to that. Thanks.