What's the catch !!

IrishMitch
IrishMitch Posts: 3 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Still can't believe that that an app that is so helpful and easy to use as this is free ,, where is the catch :)

Replies

  • cluey76
    cluey76 Posts: 1 Member
    There is none. It's just a reporting tool. As long as you are honest and record all your calories (don't cheat) it helps you think about the empty calories you end up eating. Was that bag of crisps worth the 100cals etc. Hopefully you will start to be savvy and change the way you eat, so its just like an online food diary. :smile:
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Advertising
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    Advertising

    ^^This and big data capture to sell back to companies.
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    Advertising

    ^^This and big data capture to sell back to companies.

    Advertising yes, but no data capture to sell to companies (yet at least. They have to get our permission, like facebook to do so). Please don't spread silly rumors.

    OP: Just like many big companies, including google, this one runs on advertising mainly. There are some merchandises sold also but advertising is the main revenue.

    Welcome and good luck with your adventures.
  • PippiNe
    PippiNe Posts: 283 Member
    No catch - best thing invented since chocolate :o)
  • tjthegreatone
    tjthegreatone Posts: 324
    The catch is that you have to do the work yourself.

    No shortcuts and no 'cheating' - for instance, if you are trying to lose weight and you conveniently 'forget' some of the nibbles you ate that day, or log excessively high exercise calorie expenditures then you may be unpleasantly surprised by your lack of progress.

    Similarly, out in the real world are tales of people who find that sites like these have led them to lapse into disordered eating, overexercise, guilt around food etc. I'm sure these people were predisposed. Nevertheless the point stands.

    Finally there are few security measures, and very young people routinely find their way here.

    I do think it is an excellent resource and I have benefitted immensely from it.

    The main differences between this and a paper journal (which I used successfully three years ago) are the presence of supportive virtual friends and the message boards (they are what they are but I get a lot out of the discussions).
  • Oh_Allie
    Oh_Allie Posts: 258 Member
    The catch is that you have to do the work yourself.

    Crap. I knew this was too good to be true.
    No shortcuts and no 'cheating' - for instance, if you are trying to lose weight and you conveniently 'forget' some of the nibbles you ate that day, or log excessively high exercise calorie expenditures then you may be unpleasantly surprised by your lack of progress.

    You mean I can't 'nibble' off of 10 brownies today without logging it? That's crazy. Everyone knows a nibble doesn't count. =P
  • Jenninscotland
    Jenninscotland Posts: 97 Member
    Advertising

    ^^This and big data capture to sell back to companies.

    Advertising yes, but no data capture to sell to companies (yet at least. They have to get our permission, like facebook to do so). Please don't spread silly rumors.

    .

    Hmmm....not starting rumours, it's clearly stated on the site's privacy policy as below under topic 3 -

    3. INFORMATION USE AND DISCLOSURE PRACTICES

    (a) Traffic Data and Information Gathered Using Cookies, Web Beacons & Mobile Device Data.
    "MyFitnessPal may share Traffic Data and Mobile Device Data and information gathered using Cookies and Web Beacons with: (1) third-party analytics companies so that such third-parties may help MyFitnessPal better understand who is using the Website and/or Applications and how they are using the Website and/or Applications; and (2) its advertisers and marketing partners so that such third-parties may provide You with advertisements tailored to Your interests, and to ensure that You do not see the same advertisements or informational messages repeatedly."
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    Advertising

    ^^This and big data capture to sell back to companies.

    Advertising yes, but no data capture to sell to companies (yet at least. They have to get our permission, like facebook to do so). Please don't spread silly rumors.

    .

    Hmmm....not starting rumours, it's clearly stated on the site's privacy policy as below under topic 3 -

    3. INFORMATION USE AND DISCLOSURE PRACTICES

    (a) Traffic Data and Information Gathered Using Cookies, Web Beacons & Mobile Device Data.
    "MyFitnessPal may share Traffic Data and Mobile Device Data and information gathered using Cookies and Web Beacons with: (1) third-party analytics companies so that such third-parties may help MyFitnessPal better understand who is using the Website and/or Applications and how they are using the Website and/or Applications; and (2) its advertisers and marketing partners so that such third-parties may provide You with advertisements tailored to Your interests, and to ensure that You do not see the same advertisements or informational messages repeatedly."

    Yeah... show me where the word "sell" is used please. Every company that advertises via advertising services have to share certain information since those services use said information to target their clients. What you suggested originally is that information about the users themselves is SOLD to these companies. Accusations of selling information (like the one you made originally) includes accusations of selling users email address and other personal information. Please have better proof of such sale to said companies before making such accusations.
  • Sarahnade42x
    Sarahnade42x Posts: 308 Member
    The catch is that you have to log honestly and consistently for it to be effective...but if you are, it's the best!

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