how do you guys feel about public food diaries?

SkateboardFi

me myself, i am not really comfortable with someone scrutinizing my intake and making comments on it. i've seen a lot of posts about people getting upset about things folks on their friendslist have said concerning their food diary and their friend would reply 'well you have it public so it's open to criticism'. do you guys have it public? if so have you ever been offended by anyone's remark? what about those who keep theirs private? what are you reasons? just trying to get perspective

summertime_girl

I have mine open, but can't really recall people making comments, good or bad.

mrmanmeat

me myself, i am not really comfortable with someone scrutinizing my intake and making comments on it. i've seen a lot of posts about people getting upset about things folks on their friendslist have said concerning their food diary and their friend would reply 'well you have it public so it's open to criticism'. do you guys have it public? if so have you ever been offended by anyone's remark? what about those who keep theirs private? what are you reasons? just trying to get perspective

Mine's open. I don't really care what others think.

When someone pays for my meals and makes them for me, I'll follow their comments.

ratkaj

I have seen far too many treads about how someones food diaries are not good enough/wrong/not accurate/full of junk etc. I'm sorry but mind your own business! Mine remains PRIVATE and I'm past my goal weight (while eating a doughnut or two :laugh: )

ajbeans

Mine is public. I've never had anyone criticize my diary, but if I did I'd just delete that person. No big deal. That said, sometimes my friends do rib me a bit when I make poor choices, but that's the whole reason I have it public. I want to be accountable to others on the days that I can't seem to hold myself accountable. There are ways to tell someone you think they made poor choices without being rude, and my friends seem to understand that quite well.

I do understand why some people want to keep theirs private, and a few of my friends have private food diaries. It doesn't bother me, but I also don't leave comments telling them "WTG!" when MFP says they were under goal if I can't see their diary, because for all I know they could be eating 300 calories a day and that would not be a good thing. It does affect the support I'm able to give to someone. But I'm also not going to give them grief over it.

fbmandy55

Mine is public and I like when others have theirs public too so I can get snack and meal ideas from friends. Especially those who have been successful. I wanna know what you're eating!!

I've never had anyone make a negative comment about my diary. Maybe occasionally tell me I "ate well today" or something along those lines but it's usually a WTG or nice job. Even if they said, "lay off the snickers bars", I wouldn't care. They would be right!

lilyinlove

Mine is open...I have never had any negative remarks, unless you count try and drink more water as negative. I think most people are just here to help each other out and some comments may come out as mean even if they never intended it to be like that...I am guessing...and hoping. I am always open for help even if it means critique. I respect others that do not have their diary public as well...it is at the end of the day their choice and their business.

cnsmith2

Normally I would be a very private person, however, for me, this website is all about encouragement. I had mine set to private but I swapped it to public because I would welcome a critique if someone had it to give. I am comfortable with what I'm doing in my own personal journey, but that isn't to say someone may have a suggestion for something that may help me.

I will admit I also like to see the journals of other people. Sometimes it gives me an idea for something I may like to try.

brknllama

I have mine public, for the most part they don't look inside the diary. One time i did have someone say something but that was when i had a negative calorie intake for the day

Robscofle

I have my diary open to public. I don't have a problem with constructive criticism.

Regards
Rob

brian90

Mine is open. It is another way to stay accountable. I undersand how comments could get criticized. Criticism is not a bad thing though. It will help you to stay on track. You may get some great advice from people on here.

koosdel

Yes. No. It's their decision. I lack creativity.

jennyfair24

I have mine set to public. It makes me stay more accountable when I know everyone can see it. I've never had anyone say anything mean or judgmental when I've had horrible eating days. Everyone has been supportive and can relate. Its a personal choice though, so you should do whats best for you

JesaGrace

Having an open food diary helps sometimes....b/c people will ask opinions on intake, calories, fat, carbs etc.....but their diaries will be close....kinda hard to help at all if we don't know what one is eating.....

I've had mine open for months and no one ever made any comments....unless I asked for their opinion.....

sandynx820

I love having them public. None of my friends have ever, ever insulted my choices, even when I go over! They are always supportive and give great comments......sometimes even make a few suggestions like: "I always drink a whole glass of water before each meal....that helps me get my water in....have you ever tried that"? And other times I get some really great lunch or snack ideas from seeing what successful people are eating! So to answer your question.....NOPE, never a problem.....but then, I choose my friends carefully too!

TheRoadDog

Mine is public. I appreciate the feedback.

vodkaswigger

Mine's open. I don't really care what others think.

When someone pays for my meals and makes them for me, I'll follow their comments.
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exactly!!!

brucedelaney

Mine is also public and I don't typically get any critique unless I ask for it.

meg_sue

Okay so first off, It isn't anyone's business what I put into my body. Second off, I don't care what anyone else thinks or says.

RocketsGirl75

Mine is public and I did it because it makes me think more about what I am going to eat because I know anyone can see it! LOL!. However I don't pay any attention to anything negative that is said (although I don't recall any of my friends saying anything to me about it). It is just another level of accountability. I think that you should do what feels most comfortable to you. That is the only way to use this site. Not everyone is doing things the same way and it is best to do what you feel and not worry about what anyone else thinks.

Katiemarie4488

Mine is open for my firends to view. I hold myself accountable to record everything I eat. They may not be the best choices, but 90% of the time they are good ones. And, I have went over my calories once, and I asked for advice on where to cut... and used those suggestions and comments as a tool to move forward.

scott1024

The first time I did this, I kept mine private. THis time I'm keeping it pulic and I think its making all the difference. While my MPF friends are not physically with me and can't see what I put in my mouth, I do still feel an added sense of accountability. I might be under, but if its all crap that's no good. THis way I'm more on the hook to make healthier choices/portions. My friends are so supportive and more often than not say positive things about my choices. Again, that incentive is there. Make good choices - get positive feedback. Make crappy choices - get constructive advice. I definitely think I'm benefiting from having it public!

Jessicaruby

mine is open because i like to get feedback from others and they only way they can really help is to see what you are eating. i dont really care what people think of my food intake. if they make a negative comment i take it into consideration. maybe they are right and i need to adjust something. i like when others have open diaries so i can compare what i am eating to others and see there progress and get ideas for meals

cartern1

Mine is open - I've nothing to hide and any criticism is greatly recieved.

If it gets to the point where negative non-constructive criticism is recieved well my attitude is - It's my body, my diary, my choices, go **** yourself

m2purple

Mine is open, and I found I make better food choices because of it. I have a friend whose is open, and we check each other's for snack and food ideas, but neither of us make any negative comments... We try to be supportive, and as I said, because she is watching, I find I make better choices...

glasgowgirl101

Mine is private. I've thought about making it public, but I kinda feel a bit funny about letting people seeing what I eat. Don't know why I feel like that to be honest. Its not as if I'm secretly eating chocolate cakes every day lol. I think sharing the highs and lows with MFP friends and contributing to the forum posts, taking part in the challenges etc is enough for me to stay motivated and motivate others :-)

amfaery

mine is private I do my best and when I screw up I know why! I dont need more criticism then I give myself at this point

Lozze

I have mine public, but I would ignore any criticism (unasked for anyways) that friends would give me. I'd also no longer be their friend.

It drives me up the wall though when someone posts 'I don't know what I'm doing wrong!' and leaves their diary private. You need it public then.

ckdub428

I have mine open to friends and it has been awesome. Whenever I am struggling then they can pop in and see where I am going wrong. Also there have been times that I have decided against some yummy snack that I would normally scarf down and not tell anyone. For me, a public diary gets rid of the "closet eating" mentality, of no one saw me so it didn't happen.
But I have seen people just get ripped apart by others "helping". I would just make sure you have good friends and if someone starts ripping you for it , un friend them because the should be supporting you and helping you through the down times, not ripping you a new one!

smbakke77

I guess I have some pretty good MFP friends because even on my bad days I haven't had any make any bad comments about my diary. There may be a couple of times when it was suggested I make better choices, but the reason why I'm on here is for the support and motivation. If that means a kick in the *kitten* for my food choices once in a while, then I think it comes with the territory.

MayMaydoesntrun

When I first started in Feb, I had it private because I didn't want people to see what a weirdo I was about my food...now it's open and I feel like it keeps me accountable. I have been less likely to binge knowing that my friends are going to see! So far, I've not had anybody say anything mean or critical..it's all be positive and humorous!