Food Diary - Private or Public?

GMPetti82

Also, I think this is a very personal choice. The food journaling is a straety that is used so that you become aware of your own patterns and you can keep track of your calorie count, to make sure you stay within your budget, but whether you choose to share it with no one, a few people, or anyone who wants to look, you should be able to do that without being persecuted. I am still battling some emotional baggage that has been a roadblock to my weight maintenance, and I am just not always able to share my journey to this point. It's not always just food that is going into the journal, there can be a lot of feelings tied into my snacking for the day.

Jessie544

Mine is public, it helps me stay more accountable for what I'm eating to think that others are going to be looking at it when I complete my day...

jmehere

I used to keep mine public but found that when I started overeating; I wouldn't log it because I was ashamed. I made it private so that I could feel like I could log with out judgement. Though, I know people aren't that interested in what I eat. It's an emotional issue for me.

ragekage21

I just switched mine to MFP members only from private. I think it'll keep me honest, knowing that what I put in my body everyone will see!

ConfidenceNMe

private is easier for me. If I change my mind it'll only be for friends. I'm not losing weight for others I'm doing it for me. If they want to know what I'm eating they can ask and I'll tell them. If I have problems, I can print it out to show my doctor.

danigirl1011

I'm doing public, because i think it's helpful to other people. Maybe especially new people? Seems like people can run out of healthy food or burn out quickly. Think it helps to get ideas and see what others are eating. Might be something you can incorporate into your own diet!

PurplePookie

Mine is set to friends. Not writing it down cheats me so I write down everything and if I know others may be looking then I'm much more particular about what is going into my mouth.Trying to lose weight 'in the closet' so to speak has never worked for me - it's partly how I've got to where I am, so I'm doing it differently this time in hopes of success.

JoniBologna

Mine has been "friends only" for quite some time. I like being able to get ideas from my friends' diaries, so I will gladly return the favor. I did have one friend who said she was "shocked" one day after I had a very big and somewhat unhealthy diner breakfast. It bothered me for a couple days because I felt judged. Her diary was not perfect by any means, yet I always tried to remain positive or not say anything at all. After encouragement from my amazing non-judgmental friends, I left my diary open to them and deleted the jerk. I feel like it is too easy to lie if your diary is closed.

draayer7

I have mine set to "friends only." I feel that it makes me think twice before eating some things. I feel more accountable for what I am eating and love to hear suggestions about my diet or advice. I make myself put everything in my diary too, so my friends see when I have had days when I have gone over. Those few days I have had, really made me rethink what I ate! So I don't have as many "over" days as I used to.

Cold_Steel

mines public open- I like all the criticizing comments from people who log their Big Mac the day they say something for my ice cream ! It makes me laugh !

thepanttherlady

I like to view other diaries to get food/meal ideas. I keep mine open for others to see for the same reason.

MFPLynne

Friends only.It holds me accountable for what I'm eating. I also like viewing my friend's (and non-friends) too because I get inspired to try new foods and recipes and to say on program.

Kayla165

My diary is set for private. It is for me and my husband to see only.

breeanreyes

Mine is public, I joined MFP for help and to offer support, if my diet and exercise diary can help someone else or let someone else help me then that's what I'm here for

chevy88grl

Public - I don't mind everyone seeing and even commenting. If what we are seeking is some sort of accountability then it shouldn't be private, just my thought.

I am an adult and don't think having my FOOD DIARY public is necessary for accountability. I've lost nearly 60lbs and my food diary has NEVER been public.

Think I'm doing a bang up job of holding myself accountable without having to hear everyone comment on how many calories I eat, what I choose to eat, and how if I ate this or that it would be better than what I'm currently eating.

thesameas

I have mine set to friends only. It works for me because it means I'm less likely to gorge on something is I know other people can see it, so knowing other people may be looking at what I'm eating makes me chose better options.

It works differently for everyone though, each to their own.

BettyyRoss

Public.
It's just food! I don't care who sees it. I'm not writing all my personal thoughts in my diary lol.