Do MFP friends really help you lose more weight?
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Definitely! I really enjoy reading my newsfeed. I have had some of my friends for more than a year, and most of them are very consistent loggers.
I'm not necessarily motivated by feedback about my diary or eating choices, and that can trigger me to not be honest when logging, so I have set my diary to "open" but it doesn't display on the newsfeed at the end of the day when I complete it.
I absolutely love seeing everyone's workouts on my newsfeed. It gives me ideas for new workouts, and motivates me to work harder at the gym, as well as encourages me to be consistent and work out every day.
I think that having a good group of friends is part of what gets me here every day, and as long as I'm here, I might as well log. :-)0 -
Ive only been on here a couple of days and already just the odd comment of "well done" or "nice job" has boosted me a little bit making not having that bit of chocolate or doing an extra 5 mins work out worth it.0
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I don't have any MFP friends. Does it really help with the weightloss?
The "right" friends can most definitely help!
I have friends and coworkers on here and having them helps because they can see what i'm doing and I feel bad having to face them at work if I gorged myself on something. Basically my mind goes, I don't want to go through that so lets not give into that craving. Even though I highly doubt they would ever say anything I don't want to feel that judgement so I don't do what might cause it. But since I see them so often it is rare they comment on my News Feed
Finding some random people on here that are encouraging can really help. I just updated my weight loss and one of my MFP friends posted somethings that made me feel really good about all that hard work I have put into my weight loss. Not everyone on MFP is like this but when you find a real gem they can make you feel great!
Feel free to add me as a friend if you want
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I think they do. My friends provide me with encouragement, support, helpful information and tips and, of course, friendship. Losing weight, especially working on losing a lot of weight can be lonely and isolating. Friends don't understand why you won't eat their cake or order pizza. Change is hard and having like-minded friends with similar goals to help you along the way is great!!0
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Yes, on my FL I have incredibly supportive, friendly and informed people. The information alone is worth gold. The support has Had me come back again and again. They are 1500% win.
And they eat good food, me likey.0 -
YES! The motivation and seeing the success of others in my group is awesome! Love to know others are on this journey with me. Now the people on my friends list are very motivated and are losing weight! That helps me to move more seeing them post running 5ks, doing zumba, drinking the water, etc.
Also having open diaries with my friends helps big time. I get ideas from their diaries and helps hold me accountable with what is on mine. No one has ever criticized me for eating candy or whatever but knowing that it can be viewed certainly makes me think twice. I am committed to logging honestly daily and its working. Hopefully someday I will be out there running a 5k also!
Its all about how serious you want to be in taking care of yourself.0 -
Add me I recently started using this on a daily basis and I would love the support! 0
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oh yes, they really motivate me. I love being a support to my friends to. it like a virtual family0
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They keep me coming back here. And, well, if im already here, I may as well log something, or workout, so I don't look like a total douche for just hanging out on here! So yes, for me, they do!0
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YES!!! I love supporting my friends and they are always there for me too! When I want to eat something sinful I think about them working hard towards their goals and them expecting the same of me. I don't want to let myself or them down. It helps because God knows I can't be trusted by myself!
Cheers to the friends! :glasses:0 -
I've been using this site consistently for 2.5 years now. I can say with 100% certainty that I would've stopped a long long time ago if it wasn't for the social aspect.
I've always loved working out, and I'm sure I would've still managed to get my eating under control and lose weight BUT not to the extent it has done now. My whole life and goals have switched round since being here. I've learnt so much valuble information, achieved more than I could have without, and want to have a career now in the fitness industry.
For me, without the support system, it's really just a calorie counter.0 -
I definitely like having the support system. Yes, I know in the long run it's all up to me, but having "cheerleaders" definitely helps. I enjoy getting feedback, whether good or bad. My family is supportive, but they really don't understand what it is I'm doing. But they see that I'm happier, and looking better, and that's all that matters. But talking to people who actually understands is awesome.0
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Yes... Definitely. They held me accountable and I want to make them proud x0
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I just joined and can use the support, I'll be your friend!0
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I think the right ones do. Im the worse self-motivator..So having a support system that i can also get motivation and advice from works for me. I think it depends on the type of person you are and the type of friends you are making0
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For me - yes. I was really lucky, because when I joined I got a ton of adds, and all my friends are very positive, friendly, and like to interact. Because of that, I feel more motivated - I can see how others are doing, get ideas, know I'm not alone in this, and also it's a way of feeling accountable. Like, I made a bit of a fuss about re-starting the 30 Day Shred, and when I don't want to do it, I ask myself - do I really want to admit this after making such a fuss?! You should do this for *you*, and I agree wholeheartedly with that, but at the same time having friends to share the journey makes the whole thing a great deal easier.0
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I am looking for more MFP friends, I only have 6 and only 2 are active. I believe that more friends helps.0
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I am looking for more MFP friends, I only have 6 and only 2 are active. I believe that more friends helps.
You can add me if you want (Anyone can) I ask only two things, Please include a message with the invite and Please Don't be Negative.0 -
I think so, not so much for the interaction but just the fact that i'm accountable to others - I know they can see my diary so it stops me eating rubbish! x0
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It certainly helps me. I helps to keep me motivated to see others successes. It also helps to know that someone else is sort of keeping tabs on me. It helps to keep me motivated and honest!
I agree.0 -
I don't have any MFP friends. Does it really help with the weightloss?
No, they don't help me lose weight. I equate having MFP friends the same way I equate to having non MFP friends. it's nice to have someone to share something with, whether it has something to do with weight loss or just something else that happened to you during the day. It is nice to see a comment or two about something you did, ie; staying under your calorie count, posting a weight loss; or anything else for that matter, the same way it's nice to be acknowledged outside of my MFP world, health wise or not. It's even more nice to actually get to know some of these people, have a short convo with them, learn something about them, what there doing to lose weight, what there doing outside of MFP.
Just like in my life outside MFP, I do what I'm gonna do, regardless, but it's the support people give you, me, that makes it all the more pleasant at times. Just my opinion. FYI, I keep a small friends list, it helps me keep up with my friends on here, and not lose track, sight, of my commitment to them, being supportive, whether they asked for my support or not.0 -
Ummm yeah! It's nice to have a good workout or stay on plan and get encouragement! I also like the tips I get from others on what helps them.0
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IN a word, yes. I could never do this alone. I love the "atta girl"'s and the "way to go"'s, but I also appreciate honest feedback, which helps me learn. Now, not everyone is so eager for constructive critcism, as I learned the hard way yesterday when an MFP pal got mad at me, but I think if you keep your diary public, then it's open for comment.0
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No but they are a great support system and a lot of times you can get some real good advise. Whether it is about a workout or your diet. Also to have someone there to tell you that you are doing great, even when you feel you are not, helps keep you motivated. Good luck with your continued journey!!0
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it helps me to log everyday, because when i didnt have any friends on here just 2 of my close friends- i barely logged anything or paid attention, but now i am noticing more of what i am eating and looking at my MFP journals, it helps with food options, and getting to know really nice people who have similar goals to you. to me it has been very helpful, and if you like you can add me if you want to.0
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A big fat NO! I was on here for a year before I added friends because I wanted to go it alone. Then stupidly I added friends, lots of *****ing and WTG.
To cut a long story short I deleted my account and restarted, would I add friends again...NO!0 -
Another added bonus of MFP friends: you don't have to make a Facebook post every time you go to the gym and drive everyone on your FB friends list crazy. MFP friends tend to be equally obsessed with eating right and working out, so I don't feel like I'm irritating people by posting every last detail of my workouts or eating issues. :-)0
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I would say they help me stay on track and encourage me. I'm kind of doing this weight loss thing on my own, except for a long distance friend, so having people on here encourage me and congratulate me for losing or exercising is awesome because I'm not getting that kind of support from people around me in real life. I think it all depends on what kind of friends you have on MFP... I have a group of very supporting people around me. I'm lucky.0
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IMO, yes. My doctor referred me to this site because I needed education on portion sizes and she said that research has shown that those who have support are 90% more likely to maintain and keep the weight off. I think it depends on how you interact with your friends - if you have them essentially for entertainment, that may not apply but the people I have as friends are people who I feel accountable to and would hope that if I had successive days making poor food choices that they would call me on that and provide encouragement to get back on track.
Plus it helps that I have some people who are truly inspirational with their diet and exercise and healthy lifestyle and so they keep me accountable because I want to get into as good of shape as they are.0 -
Definitely a yes from me. Having the support of my MFP friends keeps my spirits up and also helps me motivated to get on the site to see how they are doing to help support them too.0
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