Is your diary public or private? Why?

rebecca9341

Mine is private. I don't need others to read my log in order for me to be accountable and mindful of what I eat.

Sugarchef

Mine is open to friends as well. It helps knowing other people are going to see what you're eating. I like reading people's diaries to get ideas of other healthy foods too.

smallerthighs

Public....because knowing others may be watching my food behavior..has actually kept me on track. And if I'm losing and losing and losing..then suddenly start gaining..they can look back and get an accurate picture of why and how things went south....or north..lol

JennsLosing

Also, I noticed nine times out of ten, people don't read your diary and just start dishing nutritional advice unless it's asked for.

So, I was just curious why people make theirs private from friends. Supplements? IDK LOL

yeah i understand that, and i guess its because ive always been a really private person, so i guess me making my diary private just kinda runs along with my personality as well as the post i put before about not wanting unwanted advice.

MrsM1ggins

private. because i dont want/need anybody's input on what im eating. when i need help ill ask for it and open it to the public

Ditto. I'm progressing ok so far: I'm sticking to my calorie limits pretty much and my MFP friends are great at encouraging me to be active. If I plateau and decide to ask for help I'll open it up then.

tigersmoondiva

Mine is private - mainly because I was on anther site once upon a time - and defended a friend with a "less than popular diet" on that site. (HCG - before HCG went mainstream.) The people there - ripped the person that was doing the diet - then ran around to all the friends of that person - and posted large parts of their food diaries and blogs in message boards.

So - I got the "honor" of having my diet judged by a bunch of people I did not know and whom were already biased against me simply because I chose to be loyal to my friend - (who is still my friend - but no longer uses social diet sites at ALL.)

... oh - and she is at her goal weight. I am SO JEALOUS!:)

kater8er

Mine's public. But I have an odd diet right now that I'm doing which means I'm often very low on carbs and over on fat and protein and fiber...And it annoys the crap out of me when people tell me "advice" to be lower on fat or whatever. Beetch if you're that concerned message me don't write it on my wall for all my friends to draw attention to!

datzun

Public. Nothing to hide.

Abigailblue39

Mine is now open to friends. But I have had it closed for the most part. Mine is closed, because I don't think I'm such a great role model in dieting, since I don't use diet food except for skim milk. I mean, I eat candy and still have a sixpack, most would never eat such "forbidden" things trying to get cut. Plus, I normally don't eat my exercise cals back, which goes against anyones advice. So by keeping it among friends, I don't wreck anyones sicere diet on here, hehe.

valeriebpdx

Mine was private for over a year, but I wasn't getting too far that way so about a month ago I made it completely public. I am far from perfect but knowing it's out there for anyone to look at does make me think about whether I am really trying as hard as I sometimes tell myself I am (I am totally busting *kitten*, except for that Slurpee. Oh, yeah, and the three glasses of wine. And the 2 handfuls of chocolate chips.) No one has yet commented on what I eat, which is smart of them. I am absolutely NOT looking for advice, remonstration, or approval/disapproval--even making it public is still just a tool for myself.

theprettyone1010

My diary is public because I'm not very good at holding myself accountable. But knowing that friends and other MFP-ers will be able to see my eating/exercise habits pushes me to work harder. I really helps to motivate me.

AmberMagdalena

Mine is private - mainly because I was on anther site once upon a time - and defended a friend with a "less than popular diet" on that site. (HCG - before HCG went mainstream.) The people there - ripped the person that was doing the diet - then ran around to all the friends of that person - and posted large parts of their food diaries and blogs in message boards.

So - I got the "honor" of having my diet judged by a bunch of people I did not know and whom were already biased against me simply because I chose to be loyal to my friend - (who is still my friend - but no longer uses social diet sites at ALL.)

... oh - and she is at her goal weight. I am SO JEALOUS!:)

That to me would be the main reason people would hide their daily food intakes. If they were participating in fad diets or eating like 500 cals a day or something. But you know what, who cares! The people that you connect with on here are supposed to be here for SUPPORT not to put you down. If they are judging the way you choose to lose weight in a way you don't like, delete them and find friends that do, right?

Lesliecs

Mine is public. I really don't have anything to hide and don't care if anyone looks at..... even though my choices are not aways the best! But I can honestly say that I have NEVER had anyone comment negatively on my diary or tell me I'm not eating right or tell me what I should be eating.... good or bad. More than that.... when I have made poor choices, I've receive nothing but support in getting back on track and that is only after I've already made a comment about my choices. But to each his own.....

futurekilousky

Mine is private..for now. I recently started MFP and am already very hard on myself and don't want any more negative input as far as food goes. It is linked to some deep emotional issues so while I am eating healthy, I don't feel comfortable sharing everything I eat quite yet.

AmberMagdalena

Also, I noticed nine times out of ten, people don't read your diary and just start dishing nutritional advice unless it's asked for.

So, I was just curious why people make theirs private from friends. Supplements? IDK LOL

yeah i understand that, and i guess its because ive always been a really private person, so i guess me making my diary private just kinda runs along with my personality as well as the post i put before about not wanting unwanted advice.

Totally understandable. If you are just a private person to begin with, then naturally critique of how you live your daily life would be unwelcome. Different strokes for different folks

I love the unique nature of the MFP family! This site is amazing :flowerforyou:

Phera

Public. It helps me think about what I'm eating if I know other people can look at it and judge.

zornig

I dont understand why the people that keep it private feel like hearing advice from other people is such a bad thing....the people you add become your friends there not strangers.

It's not bad, it's just unwanted.

valeriebpdx

Public. I thought if I am embarrassed to show people what i eat, maybe it'll keep me from eating it. But it pretty much doesn't.

LOL! This is a funnier way of saying what I am doing with my diary.

OneBryteSmile

Mine is open to friends because I feel like it would help me think twice about eating certain things since I know they'll see it. Keeps me accountable because I log EVERYTHING I eat to the best of my ability. I don't expect my friends to comment but if they do and it is helpful then great. If I have a specific question about my eating habits I'll just ask it on my wall. I also don't comment often on my friend's diaries. This site takes up a lot of time already and I just don't have time to open and read every single person's diary and make a comment. Sometimes I'll look at a diary if I'm bored or if the person or someone else says something about it on their status and I'm curious about it.

SuzMac1981

I know it's definitely public to my friends but I don't think it's public to all of MFP.

My friends' advice is what I look for anyways. :drinker:

Jenscan

I share with friends. I like getting ideas from other peoples' diaries, so I leave mine open to return the favor.

lisabstrong

mine is public, keeps me honest in what i eat. if i know someone else is going to read it, i think twice about what i eat!
that being said, i have received unsolicited 'advice' from people about being vegan... and that is not really a topic i am open to debate on. i read other people's diaries and i never comment on their meat consumption. i think it's rude for people to dive into my personal food diary and criticize or start arguments with me about being vegan!

And from your weight loss thus far...it looks like it's really a moot point eh? Well done! I've been looking for some new vegetarian ideas...

espinozAgal

mine is public. I am very detailed and I put every little sliver of food I eat in there. I want to be held accountable. For example. about ten minutes ago I ate 10 of my sons Mc. Donalds french fries, and I added it to my log. I'm expecting someone will tell me "BAD MELANIE" LOL but next time I go for those fries, I'm going to hear that in my head!! I don't mind getting the feedback, positive or negative. But I can totally see how some people would not want "strangers" in their every bite!

Good Luck to everyone! and stay away from the fries!! LOL

Natasha7t2

Public. I may unknowingly be eating food that hinders my weight-loss so I like it when I receive feedback that helps me improve my food choices.

Schwiggity

At first it was private, then I opened it to friends because I wanted a bit more accountability. Now I have it public because I honestly don't care if people see what I eat. I have many slip-ups along the way, and my food choices aren't perfect, but they're pretty good.

liftingbro

I tend to not like advice unless I ask for it or post something that would make it applicable. I generally don't look at others unless they are asking for help. Maybe if I were having issues staying on track I would do it to increase accounability.

RNewton4269

Mine is open to my friends. Has been since Day 1. Works for me...

Qarol

I'm on a low carb diet. So I keep mine private b/c I don't want people who don't understand this diet or assume it's bad for everyone to criticize my food choices. Plus, I'm kind of a private person anyway.

beautybrainsbooty

I don't know why my diary isn't public? This now has me thinking...

Jayney10

private. because i dont want/need anybody's input on what im eating. when i need help ill ask for it and open it to the public

I feel the same way. I dont need somebody to tell me that I went over on my sodium, or I shouldn't have had that slice of pizza cause I know and Im already hard on myself.