"WTGs" when someone completes their diary

EricMurano

I'm not posting this out of spite, hate or a feeling of righteousness.

I've noticed that when someone completes their food diary with a calorie deficit people will often post "WTG" or "Well done!" as encouragement. That's great and I think that helps people a lot. It's also an indication that people are good and are thinking of other's success in a positive light.

What I've also noticed is that sometimes a WTGer (someone that posts encouragement) will not check the food diary before posting the encouragement. I've done this too! I checked a friend's diary yesterday and I noticed that they had eaten a bowl of oat meal for breakfast, another bowl of oatmeal for lunch, no dinner and 700 calories worth of vodka.

I drink too, that's fine, but I won't skip dinner just so I can drink! Nor should anyone. I believe that if you've blown your calorie budget for the day by lunch time you should still try to have a proper dinner with vegetables etc.

Am I overreacting? I really don't want to encourage people for starving themselves or having a 'liquid diet'. This stuff feels like it's so close to anorexia that it's almost frightening to encourage it!

Thoughts?

Atlantique

I think you hit it on the head: if you didn't check the diary, don't comment.

mistyb47711

maybe that person is a alcoholic and the 2 bowls of oatmeal is good compared to more vodka??? IDK but I agree with your post.

ChantalGG

Funny that you brought this up because last night i was going through my list and checked out some peoples diaries to see how they are doing. and one of my friends ate 3 snacks all day, no real meals and had a deficit of 700 leftover. I commented that she should eat more or she is going to just pass out and not lose weight. There were a few comments before me congratulating her.

AZTrailRunner

I won't give them a "WTG" if they stayed under calories but got all of their calories from Burger King (or other crap-food joint). Sure, they are under their calorie goal, but it doesn't justify eating crap, and goes against their goals for losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Having said that, I will make a fun joke about whatever they ate. I still want my friends knowing someone's keeping them accountable.

wendyannie1976

I always comment positively on diaries of my friends, but i always check their diaries, will say well done but you need to eat a bit more if under, tell them off if they've skipped a meal and my most common thing is doing great on the food but wheres the water - actually seeing what you are congratulating is key to being supportive I think :-)

dawnw30

I'm guilty I guess...but I always say something positive just because the person is here and is logging in. I think it's great they are being held accountable for what they consumed during the day and that they are being honest enough to record it. But that's just me being optimistic I suppose! :laugh:

jgoff3003

I totally agree with you, I know personally I have been a WTGer and also one of those people that has a massivbe binge day and the thought of those red numbers makes me want to cry so I miss a meal or have a cup of green tes.

Eating healthy is not just about staying under a number it is about eating blanced! Eating 1200 cals worth of chocolate a day is not cool even if u do stay under your goal, it needs to be about eating realisticly and for the long term.

susiewusie

I feel the same I was ill a few weeks ago and had about 6 dry biscuits all day and someone ( now deleted) said what a great day !!!! I never comment until I have read the diary .

vodkaswigger

maybe that person is a alcoholic and the 2 bowls of oatmeal is good compared to more vodka??? IDK but I agree with your post.

haha! love it xx

SunnyDispo619

Funny, I had thought the same thing one day when I was congratulating someone for sticking with their logging...It occurred to me that I had not looked at their diary, and maybe they had eaten nothing but Big Mac's. I agree with your comments, but I decided to continue with the encouragement for their dedication in at least logging food, and I hope that their next step will be to make better choices.

breskittle

hah, thats kind of funny - yay! wtg u had oatmeal and vodka ALL DAY! some type of new liver/colon cleanse?

I totally agree with you. besides, its not always good to be under your calories. One day I was sick and ate nothing but bread and crackers that totalled about 500 calories and my friends were like wtg! you're under! i kinda felt like my friends werent really paying attention and just blindly encouraged ppl.

PlanetVelma

I agree - at least take the time to review their diary. Personally I wish there was a setting to remove that "John Doe completed their food diary...etc..." I don't care if my friends want to review my food journal, but sometimes I'll enter in breakfast/lunch/dinner plus my exercise first thing in the AM and than have to make adjustments later in the day, than my page looks all cluttered, drives me nuts! LOL

KellyBurton1

I know what you mean, I have someone who is pretty much starving themselves and when someone says something negative, all hell breaks lose. Then they askes for help wondering why they cant lose weight. I cant support someone like that. I always check before I comment and if I bother at all.

peachNpunkin

Very true. But I too will be hones. I will bank some of my calories if I know I am going to drink. But I certainly will not starve myself to get it done. That is just careless and dangerous. Keep up the observation. Good work.

Black_Swan

I admit - usually I dont check. I check at the beginning, when I add someone, or when I suspect someone might be undereating (according to me). Im not expert but I just dont feel comfortable having people who eat so little in my friend list. Its "my thing".
And I admit - sometimes I dont eat enough during the day, only to have 500 cals of beer etc. It happens. Its my life. Luckily, its not that often... and usually Im really healthy:)
I think it just depends on your personal feelings and its your choice who you have on your list - so feel free to delete/add as you want, and dont feel like overreacting!

usmcmp

I was thinking about that the other day! I only say it if I have looked at their diary and if it's closed then I don't even bother.

ckmama

i only congratulate the fact that they actually "completed" the diary. To me that is a big step in itself. Whether they ate 1500 calories of gummy bears or 700 calories worth of vodka:sick:

Rae6503

I check diary first. I think under eating is a MUCH bigger problem on this site than over eating which is funny.

wlddove

I am so feeling you on this!! I also dislike the encouragement when someone eats below their calories. Especially when it's below 1200. It is nice to be encouraging... but let's not encourage bad behavior.

rileamoyer

I usually check the diary first too. I have a few friends that just don't eat enough and I want them to know I am watching LoL.

SarahofTwins

I can understand if you are being concerned about how much they might be eating and if you are supporting their menu. As long as you are being positive about helping out one another I say its okay. I just wouldn't like it if someone told me in a negative way "oh well you should eat a lot more or you're not gonna lose the weight" Just say "hey you should throw in some veggies or fruit, etc" Its all about being honest and uplifting, if it bothers you that much though...just ignore it and move on.

Losing2Live69

I always view my friend's diary before commenting. I never comment when someone has their diary set so I can't see it. In fact I try not to have friends who keep it private. I just don't see the purpose of coming to a social network for help, support, and encouragement if you are going to hide everything you do. I even have a disclaimer on my profile that says, "I am honest and will praise you when you do good and give you constructive criticism when you slip up. If you can't handle my honesty then I am not the friend for you". With that being said, if someone only nets 600 calories or eats pizza for every meal or drinks excessive alcohol I will call them out on it. I don't alway do it where everyone can see it. Sometimes I will send them a private message. No you aren't overreacting. It is important to be honest when we comment and to actually look at each person's diary. Giving a generic "WTG" repeatedly without taking the time to look at a person's diary is not helping anyone.

foreverloved

I agree - at least take the time to review their diary. Personally I wish there was a setting to remove that "John Doe completed their food diary...etc..." I don't care if my friends want to review my food journal, but sometimes I'll enter in breakfast/lunch/dinner plus my exercise first thing in the AM and than have to make adjustments later in the day, than my page looks all cluttered, drives me nuts! LOL

Just don't press the complete entry button! I rarely do... Or you can delete that comment on your wall when it comes up.

EdensMummy

Actually, you have raised an interesting point and I was thinking about this. Some people on this site have lost lots of weight and I've had a peek at their food diaries, and I too have noticed there's a trend among some of skipping meals, or eating lots of processed food.

I think people are responsible for their own actions; but it did make me realise that some people who have lost weight have done it in a way that, perhaps, shouldn't be encouraged. But then, do you encourage it because, after all, they have lost weight and improved their health, or is there an element of thinking yeah, ok, you lost weight but you're still eating a whole lot of crap!

Anyway, the upshot is that I agree with what you've said, although I think the general wtg's and encouragement is mostly just saying well done for not eating your bodyweight in food today, lol!!!

gods_gal

Very good point!! The whole thing about losing weight for me is that I want to be healthier. I want to look at food as fuel for my body and not abuse it (my body and the food!). Good luck reaching your goals!

Losing2Live69

I was thinking about that the other day! I only say it if I have looked at their diary and if it's closed then I don't even bother.

I just deleted about 30 friends that had their diaries private. I just don't see the point of hiding things. Honesty and taking responsibility for what you eat and how you exercise (and being able to share it) are all part of a lifestyle change.

joeysrib

I don't usually comment on diaries, mostly because for me that is really personal info. If that makes any sense.

thkelly

i only congratulate the fact that they actually "completed" the diary. To me that is a big step in itself. Whether they ate 1500 calories of gummy bears or 700 calories worth of vodka:sick:

now i want some vodka dipped gummy bears....

carlynishere

If they have not done so good eating, I will simply post "Good Job Logging"!!

SavCal71

For many, especially those just starting out, having completee the diary AT ALL, no matter how "bad" the contents, is an accomplishment. The accountability and being aware of what one ate is truly the first step in this process. WTGs can be very appropriate in those instances.