encouraging bad behavior?

Livin_Large

I'm wondering why when people finish their food entry for the day and they are well below calories everyone says good job!

gp79

Trying to be supportive? Encouraging? Would it be better if they said nothing or were ultra critical maybe?

kr3851

Personally, I don't comment on my friend's diary updates much... Some of them have closed diaries so I don't comment on what I can't see. Others are a little low some days (me included) and I'd rather not comment on it, unless they've also posted a comment with an explanation or something.

I appreciate criticism on my own diary, but I also find that I try to justify myself and my decisions - good or bad - and that's not really what this is about for me....

servilia

I know what you mean. Like when someone has 500 calories (on a regular basis, like every day!) and others congratulate them - it kind of makes me cringe.

coloradocami

Trying to be supportive? Encouraging? Would it be better if they said nothing or were ultra critical maybe?

agree

If you have a real concern about a friend, send them a PM :flowerforyou:

mandasimba

A couple hundred, that is fine, who am I to judge, perhaps they aren't hungry. I usually only comment when I find something that looks delicious and want a recipe, anyways.

AZTrailRunner

I'm wondering why when people finish their food entry for the day and they are well below calories everyone says good job!

I see your point. Why is it better to eat less than your daily goal? I can see how it would encourage people to eat less and less.

The software is written also to congratulate someone for not making it to their daily goal, as if going 50 -100 calories over is going to devastate your weight loss goals. Perhaps we should congratulate people for being within a certain range of their calorie goal, both over or under, and not making it such a victory for eating less.

CMmrsfloyd

I'm wondering why when people finish their food entry for the day and they are well below calories everyone says good job!

I see your point. Why is it better to eat less than your daily goal? I can see how it would encourage people to eat less and less.

The software is written also to congratulate someone for not making it to their daily goal, as if going 50 -100 calories over is going to devastate your weight loss goals. Perhaps we should congratulate people for being within a certain range of their calorie goal, both over or under, and not making it such a victory for eating less.

Lots of people have suggested MFP giving a 'range' instead of a single number to 'stay under'. IDK if they don't like the idea or are considering it or what. I'd love a 100 calorie 'range' to stay in.

CMmrsfloyd

I know what you mean. Like when someone has 500 calories (on a regular basis, like every day!) and others congratulate them - it kind of makes me cringe.

The people eating 500 and congratulating each other could possibly be on the HCG plan or they could have an eating disorder. MFP has quite a population of both. And you never know, the people eating 500 and being congratulated, they could possibly be trying to recover from an eating disorder and that's actually a good day for them at the moment. Maybe they used to eat even less and are trying to work up? It's also possible that some people don't log every single thing - I know some people will only log their 'healthy' foods to keep track of getting them or something..... Just a few possibilities.....

CaptainGordo

Probably not looking at the diary before writing their comment.

run4yourlife

The software is written also to congratulate someone for not making it to their daily goal, as if going 50 -100 calories over is going to devastate your weight loss goals. Perhaps we should congratulate people for being within a certain range of their calorie goal, both over or under, and not making it such a victory for eating less.

Agreed. I often go just a bit over and it's no big deal, but since I don't have my diary public (personal choice), no one would see that. For me, what deserves congratulating is logging at all. Since no one can see my diary, I am holding myself accountable and being aware of what I put into my mouth. Honestly, I rarely even look at people's diaries. If I congratulate someone, it's because they took the time to log at all and are mindful of their eating as well.

servilia

I know what you mean. Like when someone has 500 calories (on a regular basis, like every day!) and others congratulate them - it kind of makes me cringe.

The people eating 500 and congratulating each other could possibly be on the HCG plan or they could have an eating disorder. MFP has quite a population of both. And you never know, the people eating 500 and being congratulated, they could possibly be trying to recover from an eating disorder and that's actually a good day for them at the moment. Maybe they used to eat even less and are trying to work up? It's also possible that some people don't log every single thing - I know some people will only log their 'healthy' foods to keep track of getting them or something..... Just a few possibilities.....

Yes they are possibilities.. but only one of those scenarios is the reality in the instances I'm thinking of. I don't want to say more than that but let's just say it makes me sad

SassyCalyGirl

Trying to be supportive? Encouraging? Would it be better if they said nothing or were ultra critical maybe?

Amen!

Scott613

I'm wondering why when people finish their food entry for the day and they are well below calories everyone says good job!

Wtg

Bella1hud

I know what you mean. Like when someone has 500 calories (on a regular basis, like every day!) and others congratulate them - it kind of makes me cringe.

I don't generally comment unless I have had a chance to see the person's diary. If it's a healthy balanced diet and it's a bit under, then I want to encourage. If it's not I don't comment. If it's realllly low I let the person know I am concerned that they may not be getting enough to eat.

taso42

Trying to be supportive? Encouraging? Would it be better if they said nothing or were ultra critical maybe?

Trying to be supportive/encouraging - quite possibly. But as the title of this topic states, that would be encouraging bad behavior.
Maybe they're conditioned to think being under = always good and being over = always bad. This is perpetuated by the fact the the software rewards you for being under, and penalizes you for being over (or even hitting your target exactly).

Saying nothing would be better, yes.

Being critical would be better, yes.

We are ostensibly here to encourage each other to be healthy and in top shape. Not to coddle people and make them feel that anything they do is ok.

tikikris

I'm wondering why when people finish their food entry for the day and they are well below calories everyone says good job!

I would be more likely to congratulate someone for working out.

SassyCalyGirl

the title of this thread is the opinion or perspective of the person who created it.......

not necessarily a truth...

Livin_Large

I know what you mean. Like when someone has 500 calories (on a regular basis, like every day!) and others congratulate them - it kind of makes me cringe.

Exactly! I know some days are over, some under, but if you're never eating your excersize calories and not even getting to 900 a day...

robinogue

Trying to be supportive? Encouraging? Would it be better if they said nothing or were ultra critical maybe?

agree

If you have a real concern about a friend, send them a PM :flowerforyou:

Agreed! I'm guilty of being a 500 calorie per day person, I've been sick so I haven't had much of a appetite but I've had some MFP friends look at my diary and say "eat more" lol

tegla

Congratulating under eating seems odd to me also. I wish more people had their food logs public, however that's their business so be it, I'm just nosy : ) But I do hope everyone is getting fed well and I'd rather comment that they exercised that day.

Livin_Large

I don't have a concern about anyone in particular, just that we might not be encouraging the right things.

TrainingWithTonya

I think people just arbitrarily post when they see something that they strive for (like being under on calories or on losing weight) and don't actually look at the logs. My really close friends won't comment on mine because they know I've got my calories set for a bulking phase and I can't get up that high in my calories so I'm consistently 1000 under right now as I'm working my way up to where I want to eat at for the bulk. But I still get lots of comments about how great it is that I've lost weight over the Thanksgiving holiday, but I only lost because I didn't do any weight training while I was gone and lost muscle. So, I don't even close out my logs so it doesn't show up that I'm under on calories because I know I would just get lots more comments of how great it is when they don't realize that it is contrary to my goals.

CaptainGordo

I'm willing to wager that 98% of people congratulating really low calorie days are not looking at the diary. There really isn't as much intrigue as many people would like.

taso42

I'm willing to wager that 98% of people congratulating really low calorie days are not looking at the diary. There really isn't as much intrigue as many people would like.

Great day!

CaptainGordo

I'm willing to wager that 98% of people congratulating really low calorie days are not looking at the diary. There really isn't as much intrigue as many people would like.

Great day!

SEE?! :laugh:

dmpizza

Often I am certain I have eaten more than I need, but the counter is way low.

tinytubbs

you know some people have a lot of weight to lose and the recommended 2-3 lbs is not really realistic. when people my size change to healthly foods the amounts at my calorie level is alot of food. sometimes being under cannot be avoided. it takes alot of veggies to make say 2000 calories....leaving 400 for meat and fat intake.

sunkisses

Probably not looking at the diary before writing their comment.

Word. The other day one of my friends gave me a "great job" for being under, but I had surgery that morning and had to fast. I could barely eat a thing (yet I hammered out a Quarter Pounder in the afternoon). But he had to have passed 4-5 comments telling me to "get well soon" and "feel better" to drop that "great job" LOL Great job, not barfing up those few things you ingested, Sunkisses! LOL

People just don't pay attention. It's not that big of a deal for me. I understand how it can be irritating, though.