The 2 sides to MFP
Replies
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I totally agree those threads are super stupid but that's why I don't click on them. You have to remember that there are a lot of teens on the site and lets face it when you're young all you think about is the opposite sex and how hot they may think you are. So I suppose let them have their fun, it doesn't hurt anyone.
True - doesnt hurt anyone. Does de-value the credibilty of MFP in some way though.
no it doesn't... your friend went to a section of the site that has nothing to do with exercise diet or support. Now he is going to judge a book by reading an advertisement on the back page of a magazine sitting next to the book?? WTF? If he is going to judge MFP based on the chit chat section then he probably shouldn't have his own keys to the internet. also if you didn't say dude that stuff in there is all off topic posting and has nothing to do with fitness and exercise ...0 -
OP... I blame you for telling him MFP is all sunshine and roses in the first place. And for claiming the chit chat forum DEVALUES MFP. You, sir, are ridiculous for missing... reality.
Hey come on - I'm going to try and 'sell' something to him by saying "Yeah it's ok, plenty of annoying know-it-alls, lots of supeficial people, many many trolls, but filter that and there's loads of great stuff too"?
Of course whilst I'm extolling the virtues of MFP, I'm going to paint it in only a good light. My point was that by coincidence or other - every message seemed to be just the opposite of what he wanted to see
Listen, if your friend is going to use the Chit Chat forum as an excuse to not use MFP or any other tool to improve his health, but instead overlook every single other attribute of this site... that is his problem. And apparently you're making it yours.
You sold it to him improperly. You failed. Quit blaming everyone else. Sounds like both of you need to pull up your boot straps and take a cold hard look at reality... this is the freaking internet. And no one, NO ONE, is responsible for your feelings but you.
Lol blaming someone else? Failed? Wow I never knew I was under such pressure to succeed.
If my friend or others like him gets put of this site by some of the things he first saw then I think that's a shame. I really don't think I need to take a hard look at realityabout it though
In all honesty, the post was always going to be like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas to some extent. Those that post on the massages to which I'm referring will argue against those that don't.0 -
I think those kinda posts are stupid and childish and need to be placed elsewhere as this is a fitness site. I would expect this crap from a teen but the sad thing is most of them are from adults.0
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I click all the titles because I"m Nick Cage as a Panda b!tches!0
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I agree with someone on the first page. Show him this thread. there are so many people here who want to be supportive. Just tell him to ignore most of the chit-chat...it is just that chit-chat. you don't have to read it or post in it. but it can be super funny. I stumbles on a conversation about 2-ply TP not lining up. It was a hilarious and completely ridiculous conversation about TP preferences. I don't feel like that 10min of my life was wasted at all b/c of the joy and laughter I got out of it.
I hope your friend will join and be secure in the idea that he is doing something good for himself by trying to be more healthy
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I totally agree those threads are super stupid but that's why I don't click on them. You have to remember that there are a lot of teens on the site and lets face it when you're young all you think about is the opposite sex and how hot they may think you are. So I suppose let them have their fun, it doesn't hurt anyone.
True - doesnt hurt anyone. Does de-value the credibilty of MFP in some way though.
no it doesn't... your friend went to a section of the site that has nothing to do with exercise diet or support. Now he is going to judge a book by reading an advertisement on the back page of a magazine sitting next to the book?? WTF? If he is going to judge MFP based on the chit chat section then he probably shouldn't have his own keys to the internet. also if you didn't say dude that stuff in there is all off topic posting and has nothing to do with fitness and exercise ...
This!0 -
It is fitness pal and sometimes even my Pals I am getting fit with and motivation gets tired of talking about how to get fit, lose weight, or anything related to it. This is why they have the chat section.
As ridiculous as it is sometimes it is to blow off steam, laugh, have fun, and just talk to other people with similar goals about whatever else. Without down time for even the topic itself with the same people you get can have less of a relationship sometimes with each other and some people need strong relationships (online relationships) to feel motivated. Just my opinion
Bolded section is so eloquently put I can't improve on it.0 -
I think those kinda posts are stupid and childish and need to be placed elsewhere as this is a fitness site. I would expect this crap from a teen but the sad thing is most of them are from adults.
But they are placed elsewhere....0 -
OP... I blame you for telling him MFP is all sunshine and roses in the first place. And for claiming the chit chat forum DEVALUES MFP. You, sir, are ridiculous for missing... reality.
Hey come on - I'm going to try and 'sell' something to him by saying "Yeah it's ok, plenty of annoying know-it-alls, lots of supeficial people, many many trolls, but filter that and there's loads of great stuff too"?
Of course whilst I'm extolling the virtues of MFP, I'm going to paint it in only a good light. My point was that by coincidence or other - every message seemed to be just the opposite of what he wanted to see
Listen, if your friend is going to use the Chit Chat forum as an excuse to not use MFP or any other tool to improve his health, but instead overlook every single other attribute of this site... that is his problem. And apparently you're making it yours.
You sold it to him improperly. You failed. Quit blaming everyone else. Sounds like both of you need to pull up your boot straps and take a cold hard look at reality... this is the freaking internet. And no one, NO ONE, is responsible for your feelings but you.
Lol blaming someone else? Failed? Wow I never knew I was under such pressure to succeed.
If my friend or others like him gets put of this site by some of the things he first saw then I think that's a shame. I really don't think I need to take a hard look at realityabout it though
In all honesty, the post was always going to be like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas to some extent. Those that post on the massages to which I'm referring will argue against those that don't.
The truth is that if your friend is "too crestfallen" to try a weight loss site over harmless chit chat and probably fake pictures, he has other issues he has to deal with. He should really see someone about his insecurity.0 -
True - doesnt hurt anyone. Does de-value the credibilty of MFP in some way though.
Devalue the credibility?? Good grief, it's just harmless, silly fun. In fact, as someone else stated, some people may find inspiration there to get "cut" or whatever it is they call it, and it helps to build a sense of community. Let people spend their time in the chit chat thread if they want, to each their own.
I personally don't post in the "fun" threads because I find them inane, but I'm glad that there's places on this site that aren't ALL about calorie counting and number of squats and minutes on the elliptical. I say live and let live.All Im saying is that as a first impression - MFP shouldnt be as he saw it - not sure what the answer is though
The obvious answer is that people who are checking out the site for the first time probably shouldn't go straight to the let-your-hair-down threads, but to the more useful ones where the focus is exercise, nutrition, motivation, etc. It took me weeks to even FIND the chit chat thread -- and when I did I promptly left. This place is full of resources, find the ones that suit YOU.0 -
I'm not saying you shouldn't have fun on the chit chat, of course you should. Im also not saying that there shouldn't be those type of posts - rate me etc
All Im saying is that as a first impression - MFP shouldnt be as he saw it - not sure what the answer is though
If I visited a cycling forum and the first few topics were: Name your sexiest cyclist. Best shorts that make your bum look nice. Do cyclists make better lovers? etc, then I would be looking for another cycling forum regardless of how good that one might be. If those topics were sepearte from the main part of the cycle forum then that would be better wouldnt it?
If someone coming onto MFP did the same then they would be missing out on a real good site
Then he shouldn't have started in the Chit Chat, Fun & Games section.
Change the example. Most internet forums have an "Off Topic" section for users to play around in. If I went to an automobile fanatic website, clicked on the off topic section of their forums and then got upset that no one in there was talking about cars...
Well would you blame me or the website?
I take your point and to some extent it was an unfortunate coincidence. He clciked on recent topics and found that most people were talking about the type of things I pointed out
If I went on an automobile fanatic website and saw that MOST topics were about The Beckhams, or Megan Fox, or celebrity gossip, then I would look for another automobile fanatic website0 -
I guess a lot of people use the "Recent Posts" tab and if you do that the majority of the posts that will show are the ones from the "Chit Chat Section". It's not really a surprise that they are the most active though because most people like a bit of trivia to make their work day go by.
This would all be solved if there could simply be a function where you could exclude the result of a specific section when doing a search / viewing recent items.
A bit like porn sites.
Allegedly.0 -
There are people here who either have a fake profile and pictures, and are not here to lose weight and treat MFP as a dating site.
When I see a guy with a muscular trimmed body and a lot of "friends" - it makes my wonder if its really him, or he really looks like me and is just collecting groupies.
Very true but sad point, alot of bs online for sure.0 -
Ah, the duality of LIFE.
Seriously.0 -
Sad that you have to turn and attack me - it does not reflect well
I don't ever post my real picture in any social site - so I post one that's obviously not a real person and certainly not meThere are people here who either have a fake profile and pictures, and are not here to lose weight and treat MFP as a dating site.
When I see a guy with a muscular trimmed body and a lot of "friends" - it makes my wonder if its really him, or he really looks like me and is just collecting groupies.
You serious?? You have a computer generated avatar and you're calling people out for fake pics?
I have a muscular body that I earned using MFP. That's why I have no problem showing it here. The site works if you use it. If you wanna sit around and assume everyone in better shape than you is just lying.. well that's pathetic is what it is.
Your own words do not reflect well on you. Don't call out others for using fake profile pics while you use fake profile pics.
And don't assume just because someone is in better shape than you that they must be lying.
Anything else I need to explain to you people today?0 -
I take your point and to some extent it was an unfortunate coincidence. He clciked on recent topics and found that most people were talking about the type of things I pointed out
If I went on an automobile fanatic website and saw that MOST topics were about The Beckhams, or Megan Fox, or celebrity gossip, then I would look for another automobile fanatic website
The forum has different sections specifically for this reason. Don't be upset that the Fun section is popular. Focus on the parts of the forum that you're interested in. Ignore the parts that you aren't.
I just don't understand people sometimes.
"That tv show played a commercial I didn't like! What a terrible tv show!"0 -
I think those kinda posts are stupid and childish and need to be placed elsewhere as this is a fitness site. I would expect this crap from a teen but the sad thing is most of them are from adults.
Adults = teens who aged
Unfortunately, as we all get older, it becomes more apparent that people who were *kitten* as teens will still be *kitten* when they hit the retirement home. Character generally develops fairly early in life, and everyone just needs to learn to filter out the idiots among us.
Here's hoping EVERYONE has a great Friday! :flowerforyou:0 -
I know what you mean! Its like MySpace back in the day! I can't stand the "rate the person above you posts" either. That's ridiculous. I just noticed a Post "Female pubic tattoos - hot or not?" SERIOUSLY??????? WTH!0
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Totally and completely amazes me how those that like to post in "chit chat, fun and games" get so darn literal when they are feeling attacked and pick apart every word, phrase, or sentence that the OP writes.... :laugh: I really don't think that there was any intended harm on her part.... Instead of commenting on each person's post I will just say... Agreed that it should NOT have been one of the first places you take a 'newbie' to. Agreed that most times the topics are super fun and great for a laugh in the midst of a boring day. Agreed that sometimes they are a bit over the top. It's all in what YOU take from it. Arguing over it is kind of silly don't you think? :flowerforyou:0
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Sad that you have to turn and attack me - it does not reflect well
I don't ever post my real picture in any social site - so I post one that's obviously not a real person and certainly not meThere are people here who either have a fake profile and pictures, and are not here to lose weight and treat MFP as a dating site.
When I see a guy with a muscular trimmed body and a lot of "friends" - it makes my wonder if its really him, or he really looks like me and is just collecting groupies.
You serious?? You have a computer generated avatar and you're calling people out for fake pics?
I have a muscular body that I earned using MFP. That's why I have no problem showing it here. The site works if you use it. If you wanna sit around and assume everyone in better shape than you is just lying.. well that's pathetic is what it is.
Your own words do not reflect well on you. Don't call out others for using fake profile pics while you use fake profile pics.
And don't assume just because someone is in better shape than you that they must be lying.
Anything else I need to explain to you people today?
Brett, why is is the sky blue?
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The truth is that if your friend is "too crestfallen" to try a weight loss site over harmless chit chat and probably fake pictures, he has other issues he has to deal with. He should really see someone about his insecurity.
He was crestfallen, a little disappointed, no longer motivated to join MFP
Who should I suggest he should see?0 -
The problem isn't those threads, or topics, or that they get so much play on MFP...the problem is that someone made the "effort" to log into MFP, found those threads, then got discouraged. It has nothing to do with the threads themselves, nor does it have anything to do with those who participated in those threads, the problem lays squarely on the shoulders of the person who got upset about them.
Self conscience or not, if you're going to let something that was posted on the internet, in a section you never have to visit unless you want to visit, if you let that deter you...then you weren't serious to begin with. I have met and know too many people with the "I can't" or "I tried, but it didn't work for me" attitude that want to complain and whine about their weight or situation, but never want to do anything about it that goes beyond taking some magic pill. The only true motivation a person needs is themselves, because without first believing in yourself, you won't believe what anyone else says either. You need to want to be motivated or else it's all in vain.
Veteran: You want to read the forum?
Noob: I think I'm entitled.
Veteran: You want to read the forums?
Noob: I want motivation!!
Veteran: You CAN'T HANDLE THE MOTIVATION!! We live on a site that has fit people. And most of those fit people have worked hard to get where they are. They want to be known as sexy! Who's gonna tell them their sexy? You? They have a greater opinion of themselves than you can possibly imagine...they worked hard to get where they are. The cried, they poured sweat, they fasted, they ate more to weigh less, they cut calories. The truth is, they know their BMR and their TDEE, they know the dedication it takes to lose 100 lbs and feel good about who they are. You don't want the motivation, because deep down you know those magic pill infomercials are solid crap, and you want ripped, you NEED ripped abs, and you know there's only one way to get them. Those Chit-Chat people use words like sexy, cute, hotness because they've earned it. You use them as way to cop out. They neither have the time, nor the inclination to put forth effort to help motivate someone who is looking for an excuse to stay un-motivated. They would rather you log out and move on. Otherwise, I suggest you dig deep down, realize that you want to lose the weight, find the motivational threads, log your calories, lift some weights and jump on a treadmill and thank MFP for allowing me to be accountable to myself and to others.
When you decide to get serious about something, then you will let nothing stand in the way of your goal.
If you believe you can't do something, then you're probably right.
Post on Mr. and Mrs. Hotness, keep those threads going Ms. Firm Butt and Mr. Cut Abs... because one day, one day soon...I will be among you....oh yes...one day MFP will be writing long blogs about my awesomeness, but for the time being, I will toot my own horn, because I am worthy of some tootage! Ok...not sure that came out as good in print as it did in my head.
Edited to say that I apparently am WAY bored at work and need to find something to do.0 -
The truth is that if your friend is "too crestfallen" to try a weight loss site over harmless chit chat and probably fake pictures, he has other issues he has to deal with. He should really see someone about his insecurity.
He was crestfallen, a little disappointed, no longer motivated to join MFP
Who should I suggest he should see?
A therapist.
He doesn't need to even GO INTO the forums to track weight and log exercise. Good grief, if THAT is his excuse.....0 -
The truth is that if your friend is "too crestfallen" to try a weight loss site over harmless chit chat and probably fake pictures, he has other issues he has to deal with. He should really see someone about his insecurity.
He was crestfallen, a little disappointed, no longer motivated to join MFP
Who should I suggest he should see?
If a website has him down, then he has bigger problems0 -
Bless him, I can see how that might upset him. I think people look for a bit humor or harmless fun. However, I have only been here a short time. See if you can get him to come back.
I'm glad to be here and find this place since it is so active Debbie 0 -
I know what you mean! Its like MySpace back in the day! I can't stand the "rate the person above you posts" either. That's ridiculous. I just noticed a Post "Female pubic tattoos - hot or not?" SERIOUSLY??????? WTH!
I agree. It's totally juvenile. And I would argue that if you need strangers on a website to rate your hotness, then maybe you should consider why.
But, that said, live and let live. If people want to play those games, have fun. I like the movie questions :-)
I am surprised at all the animosity here though. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you are getting so angry over it on either side, take a deep breathe and figure out what's important in life. People were shot and killed today in NYC. Get angry over that.0 -
The problem isn't those threads, or topics, or that they get so much play on MFP...the problem is that someone made the "effort" to log into MFP, found those threads, then got discouraged. It has nothing to do with the threads themselves, nor does it have anything to do with those who participated in those threads, the problem lays squarely on the shoulders of the person who got upset about them.
Self conscience or not, if you're going to let something that was posted on the internet, in a section you never have to visit unless you want to visit, if you let that deter you...then you weren't serious to begin with. I have met and know too many people with the "I can't" or "I tried, but it didn't work for me" attitude that want to complain and whine about their weight or situation, but never want to do anything about it that goes beyond taking some magic pill. The only true motivation a person needs is themselves, because without first believing in yourself, you won't believe what anyone else says either. You need to want to be motivated or else it's all in vain.
Veteran: You want to read the forum?
Noob: I think I'm entitled.
Veteran: You want to read the forums?
Noob: I want motivation!!
Veteran: You CAN'T HANDLE THE MOTIVATION!! We live on a site that has fit people. And most of those fit people have worked hard to get where they are. They want to be known as sexy! Who's gonna tell them their sexy? You? They have a greater opinion of themselves than you can possibly imagine...they worked hard to get where they are. The cried, they poured sweat, they fasted, they ate more to weigh less, they cut calories. The truth is, they know their BMR and their TDEE, they know the dedication it takes to lose 100 lbs and feel good about who they are. You don't want the motivation, because deep down you know those magic pill infomercials are solid crap, and you want ripped, you NEED ripped abs, and you know there's only one way to get them. Those Chit-Chat people use words like sexy, cute, hotness because they've earned it. You use them as way to cop out. They neither have the time, nor the inclination to put forth effort to help motivate someone who is looking for an excuse to stay un-motivated. They would rather you log out and move on. Otherwise, I suggest you dig deep down, realize that you want to lose the weight, find the motivational threads, log your calories, lift some weights and jump on a treadmill and thank MFP for allowing me to be accountable to myself and to others.
When you decide to get serious about something, then you will let nothing stand in the way of your goal.
If you believe you can't do something, then you're probably right.
Post on Mr. and Mrs. Hotness, keep those threads going Ms. Firm Butt and Mr. Cut Abs... because one day, one day soon...I will be among you....oh yes...one day MFP will be writing long blogs about my awesomeness, but for the time being, I will toot my own horn, because I am worthy of some tootage! Ok...not sure that came out as good in print as it did in my head.
Edited to say that I apparently am WAY bored at work and need to find something to do.
Hell yeah Mr! :drinker:0 -
Veteran: You CAN'T HANDLE THE MOTIVATION!! We live on a site that has fit people. And most of those fit people have worked hard to get where they are. They want to be known as sexy! Who's gonna tell them their sexy? You? They have a greater opinion of themselves than you can possibly imagine...they worked hard to get where they are. The cried, they poured sweat, they fasted, they ate more to weigh less, they cut calories. The truth is, they know their BMR and their TDEE, they know the dedication it takes to lose 100 lbs and feel good about who they are. You don't want the motivation, because deep down you know those magic pill infomercials are solid crap, and you want ripped, you NEED ripped abs, and you know there's only one way to get them. Those Chit-Chat people use words like sexy, cute, hotness because they've earned it. You use them as way to cop out. They neither have the time, nor the inclination to put forth effort to help motivate someone who is looking for an excuse to stay un-motivated. They would rather you log out and move on. Otherwise, I suggest you dig deep down, realize that you want to lose the weight, find the motivational threads, log your calories, lift some weights and jump on a treadmill and thank MFP for allowing me to be accountable to myself and to others.
Staying neutral on the position above, but I
it when people re-work this speech for other topics. Thanks for the smile. 0 -
I take your point and to some extent it was an unfortunate coincidence. He clciked on recent topics and found that most people were talking about the type of things I pointed out
If I went on an automobile fanatic website and saw that MOST topics were about The Beckhams, or Megan Fox, or celebrity gossip, then I would look for another automobile fanatic website
The forum has different sections specifically for this reason. Don't be upset that the Fun section is popular. Focus on the parts of the forum that you're interested in. Ignore the parts that you aren't.
I just don't understand people sometimes.
"That tv show played a commercial I didn't like! What a terrible tv show!"
Poor example.
You would not expect the commercial to have to have any relevance to the TV show,
You would expect your first 5 minutes on an automobile site to have some relevance to automobiles0 -
Why did he go straight to the chit-chat part and not the motivation and support, success stories, fitness and exercise, or introduction sections?
Just speaking for myself of course, but I’m not here for chit-chat. Of course conversation and inspiration are welcome. But I’m here to help get healthy and hopefully lose more weight.
If your friend is put off by the least relevant section of the forum, then perhaps he is just not ready to be here? Not saying that’s the case, but I’m just wondering if it wasn’t a good excuse for him to decide this place wasn’t for him.
As a person who is very over weight, I know I made excuses as to why things wouldn’t work to help me. They were all excuses, but I wanted to be convinced so I was.
Hopefully, he’ll give it a chance!
^^^^^ Ditto0
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