Do you tell others what you think of their diary?

LMorrison1009

So... say you open up mfp and see "so and so completed their diary and was under their calories" You click on it and see that once or twice a week, they eat one meal at 1300 calories and the rest of the day fruit drinks and soda. They log some exercise and stay within their calories. But the only vegetable they have eaten in a week is mashed potatoes and canned corn... Do you say something about it, or let it go because it's none of your business? Do you appreciate it when others comment on your diary even if it is unsolicited?

asilmegan34

I am only supportive. If they ask for advice I'll give it, but I dont want anyone saying Im over my sodium intake. MYOB

YvonneMin

Only positive stuff

Izable2011

I agree. I only say something positive or nothing at all. Usually the only time I say something they don't want to hear is if they ask me my opinion.

Degator

I am supportive until I see a pattern of being over, then will mention it to them. I don't really care how they get their calories as long as they are under their goal.

keb80

I don't really like unsolicited advice on my diary, but I don't get mad if someone offers pointers and constructive criticism as long as its done WITH TACT!! I choose to keep my diary private at this point.

I don't give any negative feedback on other people's diary.

theprettyone1010

Only positive feedback. If someone asks for suggestions, then say something. Otherwise, it's none of your business.

wbgolden

I never look. I just applaud the effort

lil_pulp

I agree. I only say something positive or nothing at all. Usually the only time I say something they don't want to hear is if they ask me my opinion.

This. It's what I expect from the people I add as friends and what they can expect from me.

kissiefish

If I am friends with the person on MFP, I am mostly positive, but you know what, you can gently guide somebody where they are hurting or may not even know they are doing something bad for their body. This is a learning process...right? Maybe private comment to see if they want input. I put my log up so people can see and I am accountable. when I do something stupid diet wise, I will usually comment on my own log to spare others the trauma of wondering if they should. I have also had those I friended (and dont' know in real life) comment that they want somebody to call them out. Support is aobut being HONEST with each other, kindly.

KWIM?

catshark209

I don't say anything, to each his or her own, unless they ask....but even then..
I know how sensitive the subject of weight loss/exercise is and how I'd feel if someone said something about mine. Though the only "objectionable" thing about mine is my two tablespoons of sugar I have with my coffee.

alienblonde1

The only time I said anything was when I saw someone continually low on daily calories and I mean way below 1000 not even taking into account the exercise they did.

AlsDonkBoxSquat

Only if they post "I'm doing everything right and I'm not losing weight, what is going on?" Otherwise I don't comment one way or the other, I just look to get ideas.

calibri

I wouldn't make unsolicited comments. If someone said something to me about mine, I'd probably shrug it off. I know what I'm doing and I'm comfortable with my progress.

milaxx

I don;t say anything but I also don't congratulate them for being under. If possible I may try to find something else to be encouraging on such as posting every day or getting in good exercise. Unless they ask for tip on improving I won't comment. I will however make it a point to compliment if they make a healthier eating choice. Say they cut down on soda from 4 a day to 1. I congratulate that. Or they ask for salad recommendations, I share one with them. My diary is open, good, bad and ugly. Anyone can see my good days and bad. I want to let people see I am struggling as much as the next person.

388gigi

I actually asked a question on my profile today asking about all the take away/fast food I saw on people's diaries. There is nothing wrong with that AT ALL, since its 95% healthy foods, but I did feel kind of bad writing it, I wasn't sure if I would be offending people.

Sometimes I see people's food diary and want to shake them and say "THAT'S NOT HEALTHY!!!" But I don't have the guts. I personally would prefer all kinds of feedback on my diary, but I usually just get positive comments like "way to go" etc. Which is great! But criticism can be more useful sometimes..

lil_pulp

I never look. I just applaud the effort

This is like telling someone over the phone that they've done a great job buttoning their sweater. You actually have no idea what you're praising... Did they even eat more than a banana? Are they even wearing a sweater?

MamaDee2

I want people to be very honest with me - no sugar coating it - so I try to be the same way with them. I am here cause I want/NEED support and HELP so tell it like it is and I hope everyone does.

audigal2008

Only positive feedback. If someone asks for suggestions, then say something. Otherwise, it's none of your business.

YEP! none ya biz! If I ask then speak, if not then shhh mines private!

dez_yaoichan

only positive-- i can never know the reasons for the things they eat. and just b/c it's not "clean" eating doesn't mean they aren't trying. maybe 2 or 3 sodas a day IS healthier for them b/c before they were having 5 or 6!

i make sure to always read notes at the end. if they say anything about having a problem or knowing they shouldn't have done something, i'll say something nice like "tomorrow is a knew day and you've can do it"

if they don't have any notes, i'll see if they have any "healthier" stuff that day that sound good, and i'll let them know it. if the healthiest thing i see is only drinking 1 soda, i'll let them know that i haven't had one in almost 2 months and that it sounds awesome (which is true- i'd love to grab a coke at work when it gets hot)

bethdris

This is my take on it...if you don't want anyone to see what your eating for whatever reason, don't open your food diary. If you are open to suggestions on how to tweek it, or what may help, then have it open, but be prepared you may not want to hear everything someone might say. Now I don't mean pick it apart, but if I see you have 3 cans of soda a day and your asking why you arent losing...Ill make that a point to bring up. Im FAR from perfect and I know not everyday of my food log is "clean", but Id rather someone tell me how to fix it, rather then applaud me for not doing my best.

Zeromilediet

Positive comments when it's healthy and silence when it's not. Positive reinforcement I guess. If they ask for help, I've sent a private message offering constructive tactful feedback. Everyone's journey is different and hard to offer advice to someone you hardly know.

Nikstergirl

If I like what I see, I tell them. If they are really under or eating Big Mac's every day for lunch and dinner but still staying under.. .I don't say anything. I eat out a lot so I don't love it when people pick on me about it, but I understand their concern. I make the best choices for me and it's working so I don't worry. For the most part, I'm positive in my feedback, but I do comment if someone is consistently way under or I see a troublesome pattern for them. Most of my friends are doing so great it's just nice to give them a "high five"! Plus, I love to get yummy ideas from their diaries.

LMorrison1009

I guess I was thinking the same as most of you. I do keep my mouth shut. I appreciate the constructive criticism but I know everyone else doesn't feel the same way and I don't want to hurt feelings. I have never been over my calories since starting here because I log my food first and tweak my meals if it doesn't fit. But I go over on sodium or sugar fairly often. My food diary is open to friends, and I'm not prefect by any means... but I appreciate when other people offer advice because it helps me to do better tomorrow.

CharlieBarleyMom

I've looked at some people's diaries and been upset by their food intake... but I don't dwell on it. We're all here to support each other and if they ask for help later I'll look at their diary again... mostly if I'm looking, I'm looking for new and fun ideas for meals, not to criticize my buddies.

cklbrown

I don't like to comment on a food diary because I can't applaud a bad choice that is repeated. If I comment, I try to pick out the good choices made and say something positive. I would prefer honest comments. My diary is open so others can see. If I am doing something detrimental, I would appreciate feedback. That being said when I joined MFP, I asked my friends honesty or praise and they chose praise.

TerraHerring1

I personally wouldn't say anything negative unless someone asked..I do have to ask why someone goes to the trouble of inputting the info and keep track if they are just going to eat like crud but whatever lol

writtenINthestars

I generally only give advice when it's asked for....but that's just me.

_beachgirl_

I dont comment. What the hell do I know anyway?

Katie3784

I see absolutely no way that commenting on a bad diary could be productive. When people are not eating well, they usually know it, and don't want to hear it from somebody else. It seems that so many people on here care only about eating under their calorie goal, and don't seem to care what makes up their calories. People are eating pizza, ice cream, doughnuts, etc., but as long as they are under their goal, they think they've done well. I'd much rather go by a 2000 calorie diet filled with healthy things than a 1300 calorie diet containing mainly crap.

Katie3784

I am supportive until I see a pattern of being over, then will mention it to them. I don't really care how they get their calories as long as they are under their goal.

I'm sorry, but this is sooooo wrong. It does matter where your calories come from. So, you think it's better to eat 400 calories worth of cake than 500 calories worth of fruits, veggies, and lean protein?