Open diary?

ering

I'm thinking about opening up my food diary. I have been bouncing back and forth with the same lb for 2 weeks and it's driving me crazy! I'm thinking some outside opinions could help, but I hear a lot on here about people being nasty to others about their diaries. I'd like honest opinions but don't want mean people if that makes sense.

So should I open it up?

foremant86

opening it is the only way you're going to get help.

I've personally never seen anyone say something nasty about someone's diary. It's usually people just don't want to hear that they can't eat the way they do and lose weight.

Plenty of people go out to eat everyday and eat junk and then ask what they're doing wrong..uh hello!

ering

Plenty of people go out to eat everyday and eat junk and then ask what they're doing wrong..uh hello!

Haha! Yeah, I see that a lot on here.

engineman312

Plenty of people go out to eat everyday and eat junk and then ask what they're doing wrong..uh hello!

Haha! Yeah, I see that a lot on here.

my favorite are the "i only eat 1,000 calories a day, and i run so much i burn off 800. what am i doing wrong???" people

smh.

JamieSK

It can't hurt you to try it you can always change it back...

mynika

Open it up to your friends first and see how that works, or if advice is what you want, then keep the good advice and ignore the rest, sometimes a good jolt is what we need. I know I do :blushing:
Give it a shot you never know until you try.:ohwell:
Of course just think, you will get alot more help than people just wanting to be mean.
Open it :flowerforyou:

loseatonlady

Just keep that in mind and remember - it's "their opinion" ... Try it! You've got nothing to lose - except maybe some weight!! Best wishes!!

mabug01

It took me awhile before I was comfortable sharing my diary. I have to admit, it helped a lot because of the accountability. I don't know how many of my friends actually look at my diary, but in my mind's eye, they all do. I look at my friend's diaries every day and sometimes get some great ideas for meals. You should try it for a couple of weeks and see if it helps you; if it doesn't, you can always hide it again.

PeeTeePee

I'm with mynika on this one. Let your friends see it first and get their feedback. If they can't help, let everyone see it, but don't be put off by those who only have negative things to say. You can change it back when you have some feedback.

gloryrest

I'm thinking about opening up my food diary. I have been bouncing back and forth with the same lb for 2 weeks and it's driving me crazy! I'm thinking some outside opinions could help, but I hear a lot on here about people being nasty to others about their diaries. I'd like honest opinions but don't want mean people if that makes sense.

So should I open it up?

People acting nasty toward diaries. They are nasty on the message board too. Seriously, it is you and your own journey first and foremost. If you can't it for yourself the words of others won't work. Maybe educate yourself a little more on foods that will be healthy for you. Do some research. Then test yourself in what you've learned. Ask questions among your friends on mfp and maybe not this crazy message board. Get some good friends on here and ask them. Research on different recipes so you can mix it up a bit as well. Blessings

Pollywog39

In my opinion, "diaries" are meant to be private.

That's the way I feel about my food diary, too. It's my business what I eat and why, and I find that I recognize my faults and screw-ups just fine without the input of anyone else.

I've always been a private person in many aspects of my life, so that's just my own personal way of doing things. If it helps others to open up their food diary, go for it. It's just not for me.

Queen_JessieA

I like having mine open. It holds me accountable!! It is very hard to be honest with what you eat in front of others Go for it and see how you like it!!

MissD89

I opened my up so that I would feel more accountable for what I ate/drank. Knowing other people (alot with the same goals as I) will see my diary encourages me to want to put somethin in my diary that wud make ppl proud (of me) . Though, I don't ALWAYS make the "best" choices. I try n stay on top 80% of the time. I've never received "mean" comments. Everyone's been so supportive. Maybe only make it viewable by "friends" ? Good luck and add me if you'd like! Have a good day!

sarahmaryfearnley

You can just open it to your friends by creating a passcode if you're not ready to go totally public. I keep mine private for several reasons, some already stated above but also because I keep track of other personal behaviors that I'm sure hubby doesn't want everyone on MFP seeing

dls06

You don't need to open your diary. Just make sure you are eating a well balanced diet with fresh fruits, Vegetables, Lean meats and Fish, Low Fat Dairy, and Low carb, Low cal. Whole Grains in the right portion. Enter the foods a day ahead and make the necessary changes you need to insure you are getting the nutrition you need. Play with your menus. Look for healthy recipes on line and adjust them to you likes. If you make your health your little hobby, by doing a little work you will educate yourself and carry it through life. Stay away from processed and fast foods if at all possible. :flowerforyou:

jbeauchamp1

I opened my diary to my friends for the mental accountability. Do I still have times I make poor choices...absolutely but I log them and I have not had one person be rude to me. I did it for me because knowing that someone is going to see what I ate is intimidating and that is what I need. I was a closet eater for far too long so opening my diary was letting go of that part of a bad habit. Try it and see what you think.

ering

Thanks for the responses. It gives me something to think about. A few things about me:
1. I don't have friends on here
2. I really do eat healthy for the most part. We don't eat boxed or frozen dinners and eat out only once a month. I usually have eggs for breakfast, and veggies and lean protein with lunch and dinner.
3. I'm a tell it like it is, common sense kida girl. So I can definitly take the crticism.
4. I did p90x right before I found out baby #5 was on her way. (She's 15 months now). So I know how to work hard. I'm starting Insanity as soon as I get it from my Sister in Law.

ering

Plenty of people go out to eat everyday and eat junk and then ask what they're doing wrong..uh hello!

Haha! Yeah, I see that a lot on here.

my favorite are the "i only eat 1,000 calories a day, and i run so much i burn off 800. what am i doing wrong???" people

smh.

:laugh:

rileysowner

Thanks for the responses. It gives me something to think about. A few things about me:
1. I don't have friends on here
2. I really do eat healthy for the most part. We don't eat boxed or frozen dinners and eat out only once a month. I usually have eggs for breakfast, and veggies and lean protein with lunch and dinner.
3. I'm a tell it like it is, common sense kida girl. So I can definitly take the crticism.
4. I did p90x right before I found out baby #5 was on her way. (She's 15 months now). So I know how to work hard. I'm starting Insanity as soon as I get it from my Sister in Law.

Maybe it is time to make some/add some friends here. I only have my diary open to friends, but then I have not had any issues losing weight. The most common problems I see that cause plateaus are:

1) To ambitious with weight loss goals--When a person is obese 2 pounds a week is doable, but not when they are overweight and certainly not when they are getting close to a healthy weight or at a healthy weight. A lot of people who should be only trying to lose .5 or 1 pound a week are not losing because they keep trying to lose 2 pound per week.

2) As mentioned above not netting enough--If you eat only 1200 calories and then exercise it all off, while it is not like you are eating nothing, it is making your calorie deficit WAY too high. The key to losing is a moderate deficit, not a huge one.

3) Eating more that a person thinks they are--This happens when a person either does not measure their food carefully and only estimates portions or when they don't pay attention to the actual entry they use when logging. Some entries here are way off, some have potion sizes that are not the same as the recommended serving size of the food you purchase, and so on. It takes a little time at first to find the right ones, but once you find them you know the calories logged are the ones one ate.

NiciS72

If you want the help, I'd open it. Just be prepared for the negative nellies and focus on the folks that give constructive criticism.

dls06

Thanks for the responses. It gives me something to think about. A few things about me:
1. I don't have friends on here
2. I really do eat healthy for the most part. We don't eat boxed or frozen dinners and eat out only once a month. I usually have eggs for breakfast, and veggies and lean protein with lunch and dinner.
3. I'm a tell it like it is, common sense kida girl. So I can definitly take the crticism.
4. I did p90x right before I found out baby #5 was on her way. (She's 15 months now). So I know how to work hard. I'm starting Insanity as soon as I get it from my Sister in Law.

I don't have any friends either. You seem to be taking it slow and that is a good thing. By what you say and your weight loss you are doing good. Keep up the good work. :flowerforyou:

blizzy1

I didn't know you could let people see your diary so I think I will try it for a week and see how I do. Weight is just bouncing around. In all fairness this weekend was a right off for tracking, not too bad on the eating, not to bad on the working out.

Randynorthridge

Open it up! Don't stress out over someone telling you something the wrong way. I think you'll find more positive and helpful replys than nasty ones. It's the only way we can tell what's up with your meal plan. I just started and just opened mine up to the public. Go for it!

gianna42

If you want the help, I'd open it. Just be prepared for the negative nellies and focus on the folks that give constructive criticism.

I think it's really difficult to really help someone without seeing their diary unless they give an example of a menu in their post. I mean, there is always the general advice, but I've always received the best help in the past when I post my diary (on other boards - Weight Watchers).

Feel free to add me - I never would comment on a diary unless someone asked for it, and only constructively. (This journey is hard enough without unnecessary or non-constructive criticism!)

ering

Ok, I opened it to friends only. Now I just need a few friends. Haha. I'll give it a try. I guess it can't hurt anything, and I can always go back to private again if I don't like having it open.

ering

If you want the help, I'd open it. Just be prepared for the negative nellies and focus on the folks that give constructive criticism.

I think it's really difficult to really help someone without seeing their diary unless they give an example of a menu in their post. I mean, there is always the general advice, but I've always received the best help in the past when I post my diary (on other boards - Weight Watchers).

Feel free to add me - I never would comment on a diary unless someone asked for it, and only constructively. (This journey is hard enough without unnecessary or non-constructive criticism!)

^^True, good point

gianna42

You seem to be meeting your calorie goal most days. Did you change anything else (exercise, normal activity, etc)?
If it were me, I would probably wait one more week or so to see if the scale moves; if it doesn't, I would try cutting back on processed things first - you don't eat tons of that stuff, but sometimes cutting that out shakes things up a bit even though total calories are the same.

bethdris

I had mine private for the firist month, then opened it to friends, now I think its open to the public. I don't care if ppl see what I eat. I like loking at others for meal ideas and when they ask for help, im able to see what they are eating.

cal1973

If people are feeling bad about their diary - they should take a look at mine, it'll probably make them feel better about their own

ering

You seem to be meeting your calorie goal most days. Did you change anything else (exercise, normal activity, etc)?
If it were me, I would probably wait one more week or so to see if the scale moves; if it doesn't, I would try cutting back on processed things first - you don't eat tons of that stuff, but sometimes cutting that out shakes things up a bit even though total calories are the same.

I haven't really changed anything in last month or so. I'll take that advice on waiting a week and seeing if it moves. Maybe it'll move by then. *fingers crossed* Thanks!!

ering

If people are feeling bad about their diary - they should take a look at mine, it'll probably make them feel better about their own

aww, everyone has a bad day now and then. It looks like you are down quite a bit already so you must be doing something right.