Public vs Private

elyse0210

I'm thinking of making my diary public to get some suggestions regarding my eating. Has anyone here switched from private to public and noticed if it has helped? Have you received more positive comments?

kao708

If you are going to ASK for feedback on your food and such, then you should definitely make it public. Most people won't just randomly look at your diary but it definitely helps me be more accountable since I know anyone can see what I've been eating!

spammyanna

I switched mine to public, and it makes me more accountable and accurate.

sharoniballoni

I always have had mine public. It's funny how sometimes I see posts from people who say they don't know why they're not losing weight, yet they won't reveal their diaries. How can we help if we don't know what they're doing? And I always look at my friends' diaries, either to help or get ideas. I say do it! It'll also keep you feeling more accountable for what you're eating.

caitlinclock

I have mine set to where my friends can view it. Happy medium since I know who is viewing it and my friends are able to offer me advice and keep me accountable.

Becky011

This is a popular debate on here I will say that if you are looking for feedback or think you might be soon this is Very helpful. Sometimes others can see what we don't.

The comments depend on your friends. I've had positive and negative. The negatives were bad enough to make me keep mine private but I know LOTS of people who have it public and prefer it that way. As long as you are able to stay honest and not be ashamed of it then you are fine. It can be a wonderful resource to have the MFP buddies check out your diary. A lot of people paruse diaries for ideas too so you are also helping out others.

Good luck!

RMinVA

It's most useful when you ask people for help. An awful lot of people ask for help, but don't have a public journal. Or if they do, they get defensive when you provide them with feedback.

TuscanySun

I made mine locked with a key. I give the key only to those friends that I have on here that I'm sure understand where I'm at and I've known for a long while.

I had previously tried public and the "feedback" I got was not helpful.

Ben2118

Mine is public, it helps a lot, people can offer advice and support and it helps keep you accountable, some people will have theres public and only log the "good" stuff, kinda defeats the object...you gotta take the rough with the smooth.

Not every day will be perfect but if you have a few people on your friends list that know a thing or two about a thing or two then it can really help sometimes.

Ben

Katbaran

Mine is public--keeps me honest even when I have a bad day or two. I also like to look at what my successful friends are eating. I get new ideas and it helps me try new foods and new ways to eat foods I'm already eating. I think its up to each person how sensitive they are and if they are comfortable with others seeing what they are logging. Like others said, if you plan to ask for help or have questions, its best to let others see it so they will be able to make suggestions.

cng1117

I'm keeping mine private for now...yesterday was day 1, did good till the end of the day, today, well.... the only thing saving me is exercise. It's too embarrassing having the world see the lack of self-control :{

Mads1997

I don't know how having it public versus private really makes someone anymore accountable. If you are going to cheat you are going to do it either way. Probably more so if you think everyone is looking at ?

Debbisue52

I had mine private for the first couple of weeks....I didn't want anyone to see if I messed up. It's for friends only now. I didn't make it viewable to get feedback or to be criticized. I made it viewable by friends in order to be open and honest with myself. I also posted my starting weight on my ticker...to be honest with myself and to see my weight in print.....and to see it as it goes down! I have seen some remarks made by others about people's diaries or what they've eaten, that weren't so nice. We are not here to criticize each other or to act like we know it all...it's obvious that if we are here...we don't know it all! Everyone is different and what works for some may not work for others. I do believe we should try to eat healthier...but it doesn't always happen that way....lol. All we can do is move on and try to get right back on track. Public or private is up to the individual...but yes, if you'd like feedback or help with what you are doing then it's best to leave it viewable by friends. I also like to view other's diaries to get ideas. Good luck with your weight loss journey!

Debbisue52

@ Mads1977...you have a point there. And I have thought of cheating on my diary before because I was embarrassed to have people see I messed up. But....I realized that the only one I would be fooling would be myself....and I would be hurting myself. I'm not perfect and I don't think my friends expect me to be perfect. I'm human and I didn't get to my current weight by being perfect....lol. Besides....I want people to know I am human and struggling with long learned bad habits just like everyone else.

Barelmy

I keep mine open because I find lots of people wonder what vegans eat. Plus, I want to see other peoples, so it would be hypocritical to keep mine closed.

Geordie_Girl

I always have mine open to friends, and if I'm looking for advice on the forums I temporarily open it up to everyone