When to post success on social networks?

LorinaLynn

I have quite a number of friends who've jumped on the bandwagon since I started here, and got a lot of "you're such an inspiration" messages from friends and family. I had my weight loss status linked to FB from the beginning, and talked a little bit about my achievements along the way (ie, running a 5k), but didn't post side by side B&A until I reached my goal weight. Since I started using Runkeeper, I have those attached to FB, too, but lately I've mostly just been attaching my Zombies, Run runs.

I mean... if people can brag that their kid graduated kindergarten, you can be proud of your weight loss. Little Billy being smart enough to go on to first grade won't impact anyone reader's life. Your progress might.

And you know what else? It was a former classmates daily mile posts, and photos of my brother and niece doing 5k races, that started getting my *kitten* in gear. It all gets paid forward.

dorianaldyn

I only just started here a couple of weeks ago, so I don't really have anything facebook worthy to post, but I don't think I would either. I do post about activities - like I posted about the two half marathons that I did, but I haven't specifically posted about how much I have or haven't lost weight-wise.

I've seen people do this big public "I've had enough, I'm going to make changes" post. They posted about going to the gym once or twice and since then it's been crickets... :-(

What you do really depends on your comfort level, how well you actually know all your fb friends, etc. I think it's inspiring to see success stories, so maybe by posting you'd help someone out there.

bradphil87

I don't check in at the gym, I don't post pictures of my food, I don't post about my journey. Friends that really want to know I speak with about it. It's not something I advertise all over. Plus it was really funny the other day, I saw an old friend and we talked a bit and he was like "you lost weight!" I was like "oh, maybe a few" and he was like "no man, you lost a lot of weight" he wouldn't have been surprised if everytime he opened his Facebook he saw 10 posts of me with my dinner or at the gym. Lol.

nhradeuce

Post anytime you want. One of the inspirations that got me off my *kitten* was a guy on FB that I hadn't seen since high school (over 20 years). He posted an album of his journey and some before/after pics that made me want to do the same.

I don't go out of my way to post losses or milestones, but I do post pics of obstacle runs I compete in and I let my run tracker post some of my workouts - usually the ones with personal bests or longer distances. Several of my friends have been inspired to get in shape just from the few things that I do post.

In the end, it's up to you. Do what you want, if your friends don't like it, then they can just unsubscribe from your posts.

AcampoGirl

Never -
Let others see it. Don't advertise it. That is what MFP is for. You'll have old pictures then post new pictures and people will comment "Wow, looks like you've lost some weight" then you can go into the whole success. but unless you've previously mentioned you were planning to lose weight and such..... I wouldn't addvertise it.

I feel the same way. I message a couple of friends that I knew were trying to diet about this site because this support is the best you can get. I also don't use FB as much.

Maddielen

I wouldn't put that kind of thing on Facebook at all.

I wouldn't either. I do let Runkeeper post about my runs though. But as for telling people on FB, just post awesome pictures of yourself and let people figure it out ;-)

EXCELLENT ADVICE - - MORE "SHOW" THAN "TELL"

Heather_Rider

just curious... at what weight loss would someone post their success on fb and it be significant or worthwhile? I haven't posted my weight loss on fb yet (other than just commenting on others posts) and I haven't posted any before and afters on fb yet... i have currently lost 76.5 lbs. and have about 50 lbs more to go...

I am VERY lucky to have some very supportive friends, and ive included them in my weight loss journey from day one. When i decide to take a picture, i show them, put it on my wall for all to see! I can tell if there is "noticable loss" how people (and how many) comment.. lol. so it really IS good motivation for me!! Then, i tuck the pictures away into a weight loss album so i can keep my progress and i comment on them different NSV I want to remember.. like when i bought new jeans.. when i had to put my rings away because they were too big, etc.

Good luck to you! and CONGRATS on your loss so far!! WOO HOO!!

JenniTheVeggie

I've been posting since I started shedding. LOL. It has keep me motivated and accountable. Plus unfortunately I had some family drama on FB (first and hopefully last drama on there) and I was told I would always be fat. That group of people are no longer my "friends" on there but it gives me satisfaction that I proved them wrong.

palmerig88

I've never put any of my successes involving weight loss on facebook and for some reason don't want people to notice on there. It makes me uncomfortable.

tonyaf78

THANK YOU ALL for you input! The only reason I am a bit skiddish about posting on fb is because, I have seen more than one friend post that they were tired of seeing weight loss related posts. One guy went as far as saying he didn't want to know everytime someone worked out or what they ate; he wanted to see results!!! That has been my main reason for not making an official post. I have made vague comments on others posts, but never about what exercise I'm doing, how much I've lost, or what I've had for a meal or snack. I can understand both sides (the annoyance of over posting and how it is inspirational).
Most of the people that are important in my lfe do know about my success and progress, but I do have family and close friends that live several hours away.
It looks like I should create a personal private fitness page just for those that will truly care and then wait I reach my ultimate goal for everyone else...

TeachTheGirl

I posted just before I hit my goal and again when I hit my goal.

I probably won't post anymore updates about my challenges or goals because this milestone was one that I didn't even think I'd reach, so anything beyond here is just a 'personal' goal.

UnoDrea3732

Just do it...

Nerdy_Rose

Post what you want, when you want. If anyone dislikes it, *delete*

Ready2Rock206

I have pictures of myself on FB - I guess they can figure it out from there if they want. But as far as confessing to my friends - oh god no.

DaisyHamilton

I posted a picture of myself with my tummy showing and two thumbs up after 20 lbs. I haven't lost any more, but since then I've gained muscle. Next time I do it, I'll have visible muscles and abs.

Laces_0ut

Go for shock value and wait until you are done, so the people who don't get to see you often are in aww.

yeah wait until you are at your goal weight. very few want to hear about your exercise and pounds lost on any kind of regular basis.

phatnotfat81

THANK YOU ALL for you input! The only reason I am a bit skiddish about posting on fb is because, I have seen more than one friend post that they were tired of seeing weight loss related posts. One guy went as far as saying he didn't want to know everytime someone worked out or what they ate; he wanted to see results!!! That has been my main reason for not making an official post. I have made vague comments on others posts, but never about what exercise I'm doing, how much I've lost, or what I've had for a meal or snack. I can understand both sides (the annoyance of over posting and how it is inspirational).
Most of the people that are important in my lfe do know about my success and progress, but I do have family and close friends that live several hours away.
It looks like I should create a personal private fitness page just for those that will truly care and then wait I reach my ultimate goal for everyone else...

If you feel you should post it, then by all means, you should. And like someone else said, it could very well motivate others to do the same. Those who gripe about it most are usually the ones who refuse to take their health serious. Congrats btw, you look great! Keep up the good work!

auroranflash

I'd be happy to see an occasional post about someone who is exercising, eating right, and losing weight/reaching fitness goals.

It would break up the monotony of all the halfwit political opinions and couples smooshy-moosh-mooshing on each other's walls all day.

jynxxxed

I wouldn't post it on facebook personally. Every other week somebody I know posts about how they're "hitting the gym today!" and then never goes back or "lost 15 pounds!" and then two weeks last complaining how out of shape they are again. I guess seeing fitness posts on facebook can get annoying (for me) and I just keep it completely separate by using MFP.

Just post pictures of yourself every now and then and people will notice. Any other way just feels like fishing for compliments in my opinion.. but I'm also the kind of person that gets freaked out/embarassed when somebody outside of MFP notices my weight loss.

HellsKells

I post updates periodically, and almost every single one of my friends are supportive. Granted, I only have around 200 or so, but that's because I dont' fill my FB up with strangers. The people that matter to me, who aren't living close by, ARE my support network. And so, I don't post all the time, but every 10-15 pounds I lose, I post about it. It feels GREAT to get that positive feedback.

I guess it just depends on what kind of FB friends you have though.

AngelaJordan712

My entire journey is on FB even my starting weight...I post every week and have posted before and after pics...depending on your friends...mine are extremely supportive and give suggestions on workouts and such

tanyaslosingit

I post every ten pounds lost; but I have a lot of friends and family members who are genuinely interested in weight-loss campaigns and we cheer each other on whether it's about weight loss or marathons run or WODs completed :-)

Amlong1977

I post almost weekly... my friends there are really motivational for me plus I feel way more accountable when people are watching lol. Also I have inspired at least a half a dozen friends to start a weight loss journey including my partners parents who have both lost a bunch now too... I think it depends on the type of person you are ... for me I am very open about it.

I'm the same way. I post every time I lose 5 lbs. I just did 30 Day Shred & posted daily. It's a great tool for me to hold myself accountable, my friends are great & super encouraging. I've also inspired a lot of people to start their own journey. Because of all the people I've inspired, I know I can never quit, stop, give up. I'd be disappointing a lot of people.

mizzie1980

I don't currently post anything about my efforts or successes on FB, but I do plan to put one post when I reach my goal. I'll probably just put something like "reached my goal, 70 pounds lost!" and post a before and after pic. And then drop it. I've found that people who aren't also trying to lose weight get sick of hearing about calories and exercise really fast. The exception is my hubby, he doesn't have a choice! :devil:

violet976

Personally, I think you should feel free to share the things that are important with you on your own facebook page. That is your own network of people, and if they don't want to share in your successes or what makes you happy, then let them block your page. I always think it's funny that people think others should alter their facebook content because some may not want to read the updates. Like others said, the unsubscribe button is there for a reason... those who are genuinely interested in your accomplishments will support you.

I actually love seeing posts from others trying to better themselves in small or large ways, and I want to be able to support them in the effort as well as the accomplishment. I enjoy watching their journey, I like seeing their struggles & setbacks as well, because it reminds me that we all stumble on our path, we just have to remember to get back up. My facebook page is filled with family, close friends and some I have never even met, but the ones I spend the most time connecting with are the ones posting about animal rights/rescue efforts, healthy eating & recipe sharing, trying to get & stay in shape... To others we probably seem boring as all hell, but "our" facebook experience is what we are there to gain from & what we make of it, and is enjoyable to us because we don't hold back on sharing too much of ourselves for fear of others not wanting to see it.

Tedebearduff

just curious... at what weight loss would someone post their success on fb and it be significant or worthwhile? I haven't posted my weight loss on fb yet (other than just commenting on others posts) and I haven't posted any before and afters on fb yet... i have currently lost 76.5 lbs. and have about 50 lbs more to go...

I waited until today to do a bragging announcement/status on FB. My brother takes pics of me all the time and throws them on FB to track my weight loss also though ... It has never bothered me what so ever.

Rockmyskinnyjeans

I made one post that basically admitted that I regained weight back and a couple of side-by-side picture posts showing the progress. I am pretty much in maintenance now so I won't be posting about it much, but I don't see anything wrong with it either.

sarahslim100

I dont post anything on fb. The pictures will do the talking when i get round to posting. Looking forward to having people notice in real life esp with family at christmas

HeidiSmith419

I still haven't! There is a good possibility some may not even know I've lost any at all! LOL I have posted a few pictures but I have at min 75lbs to go still. If the are close enough they see it but otherwise I doubt they notice since most of the photos I've shared are face/upper body.

ceeegeee

Once in awhile I put a picture on fb. The last one was a few weeks ago and I got a lot of comments on how good I looked. One person wrote that I look so much younger (loved that!). I haven't said anything about weight loss though. As someone else said maybe when I reach 100 I will just put "100" on my status.