Why do you care if people have open food diaries ?

PhoenixRising7

I keep my diary closed. I had an ED in the past, and if I kept my diary open to scrutiny, I fear I would relapse. I know that may sound weird to some people, but having my diary closed works for me. I log everything I eat and drink. I don't ask for (nor do I need) any advice on what to eat or not to eat, so having an open diary is not a necessity for me. My husband is on this journey with me, and he knows everything I eat (and vice versa), so we hold each other accountable. I do not keep it closed because I have something to hide either, and I really hate it when people imply that those who have closed diaries are hiding something or they are not as serious about losing weight. I can assure you, I am pretty darn serious about shedding these excess pounds in a healthy manner.

If you prefer to have your diary open, more power to you. I just prefer something different. I won't judge you, so please don't judge me.

DanaDark

Everyone I meet on MFP is for the sole purpose of weight loss. I do not make friends on here to discuss video games or politics. This is a site dedicated to weight loss and I am dedicated to weight loss. Those I friend here should be dedicated to weight loss as well.

I want open diaries so I can get meal ideas and to actually be able to offer good dietary advice to those that ask for it.

Additionally, I do not like the idea of saying "Fantastic day! Keep it up!" to someone that is "under their calorie goal" but only east one twinky a day and that is it while jogging for 10 hours.

I am not one to say "Omg you had a slice of white bread YOU MONSTER" or complain in a similar fashion. I follow macros and overall health choices. So long as they enjoy what they eat, are meeting their goals and desires, and do not feel like they are starving as well as meeting their nutritional needs, then I have no problem with what they eat.

SideSteel

I don't.

kenazfehu

I only care if somebody posts a thread for help, some version of "what am I doing wrong?"

Sarauk2sf

Does it make you feel better to see other people having slip ups, do you get meal ideas, does it make you feel better when you have a bad day to justify it against someone else's also not so perfect day ?

Yes - that is exactly the reason.

isitsororo

I just started here and have my diary set to public (I think), because I'm fine with anyone taking a look. It's not really a "diary," it's nothing emotional or secret. It shouldn't be for anyone IMO. People are welcome to judge or provide feedback all they want, and I am free to take or not take their advice. Honestly, if someone wants to get mad at me for what I'm eating, hey, free entertainment!


I've looked at a couple of diaries. Just curiosity really. I'm not going to hold it against someone of their diary is set to private.

Zero2hero2013

i havent read all three pages to be honest, so if i am repeating sorry! i personally choose to have my food diary open i log everything i eat good days and the bad, i am never ashamed of what i eat sometimes regretful but always see the funny positive side, theres always room for a refeed hehe. anyways i have quite a few friends on here and i am not the most supportive member by afar but i record everythign i can and keep it open so anyone can see, i have lost over 30kg of fat in total i say fat as im not 30kg lighter in weight. i check out other body builders diets to motivate, knowing 5 of your friends are all eating with similar goals and similar approaches loggin the workouts and food daily keeps you going when your mojo drops lol. also getting honest advice from people i believe know what they are talking about (not everyone lol) has helped me a few times in adjusting my diet to better suit my goals,

i personally accept anyone who sends me an invite, although i do remove members who i feel are affecting my aura, and the end result is a lot of positive support.

sarahisme18

I don't make it a stipulation of being friends that they have an open diary, but I also do not comment "way to go!" on someone's "was under calorie goal" updates when I can't see an open diary. I have no idea if they're actually doing a good job if I can't see what it is. So really, it's their loss.... because they're not going to get support that way.

I personally like to open my diary so I can get good feedback, share meal ideas, and stay accountable. It's also really helped me not to be ashamed of eating to know others are seeing it, AND to get encouragement about it.

firstsip

The only "picking apart diaries" I've ever seen... is when people post, "I'm not losing weight/what am I doing wrong"... and then people point it out. It usually ends in a very defensive OP and a flame war.

Is that where this mindset of "people picking apart diaries" is coming from? If someone is literally PMing you out of the blue to tell you that you suck for drinking milk or eating that one piece of pizza, report the **** out of that person or block them. In the forums though, if it's relevant to the topic, people need to learn they may not get answers they want to hear when they ask, "Hey, look at my diary--is it okay to eat 1000 calories of Taco Bell over my daily calorie goals if I'm not losing weight?"

Cranktastic

WHY DO YOU CARE IF THEY CARE?

jofjltncb6

Because *what* we eat matters for our health and well-being.

But I really don't care if your food diary is open or not...it's just that if it isn't, you might be hiding the problem and preventing someone from providing a solution.

mhairi81

I def don't have mine open, but only because I really struggle with making it 'look good' and was often tempted not to log something. Now it's closed, I'm completely honest with myself and if I have a bad day it's all there and I can really assess the damage.

Iready

Mine is open. I want ideas on how to better my eating habits.
I like others with open diaries so I can get ideas on bettering my eating habits.

I never even thought to judge someone for eating over or getting all smug because I ate better than you.
I thought MFP was a place that others like me supported each other in the day to day balance of food.

I have very supportive friends on here, they have seen me eat good and bad, and they support me. However, knowing that a few will say something about drinking more water at the end of the day, holds me accountable to drink just one more..okay, just one more...grrr OKAY! just one more. It helps me to have an open diary.

If your not looking for that kind of support, then do what works for you. We all have to find our way to make this work. Open or Closed, it doesn't matter both are very personal options.

MoreBean13

I keep mine open because I practice what I preach, and I don't really care if anyone doesn't like my diary. I don't really have any food nazis jumping down my throat about it either. The only negativity I get is from people who are afraid of fat, and for those people I hope my results can help quell their fears about dietary fat consumption.

perfectingpatti

I personally am here for myself

Then why do you care what other people care about?

checkmatekingtwo

I started with mine open, but then had a bad experience with a "friend" on MFP being very judgmental about a macro-nutrient I wasn't even tracking. When I did look at what she was getting on her high horse about, I saw it was within my doctor's guidelines. When I told her my levels were doctor-approved, she disagreed and said "I won't mention it again" and next day when the macro-nutrient wasn't within her approved level, she de-friended me without even a word.

That was my first MFP friend.

Almost my last.

The odd thing was, that I was eating one item that was (on the chart) consistently putting me over on that nutrient --- if she'd been a real friend, she might have noticed that the MFP listing for that nutrient was incorrect (it was for a double-serving not a single-serving), rather than just give me a private tirade about how I am destroying my health. Since I wasn't tracking that nutrient, I didn't see the MFP error (which I have since corrected).

At that point I decided to close my diary. I'm doing this for me. I know what a healthy diet is. I regularly provide my diary to my doctor, who is onboard with me. I don't intend to provide fodder for the diet-police on this site. I am happy to provide support for others.

Most people here are wonderful and supportive. I just don't want the negative Nancy's to get me down. And, frankly, I really don't want a friend who won't be a friend unless they can read my diary. If, in the future, I need advice, I'll ask for it and gladly open my diary (temporarily). Until then, it's just for me and my doctor.

Subowski

My diary is closed for one reason only.....fear of being judged. I will have a go at opening it to friends, to try and be a bit more "involved", but I'm quite a private person and a lot of my eating is "emotional".....I just feel like I'm making myself a bit of an open book for people to comment on.

Here goes, I'll try. But if I get anything other than sane, sensible, well intentioned and courteously-worded comments, I am so telling my mum of you.

WendyTerry420

I keep mine open because I don't really care what other people think. And sometimes I like to "show-off" when people claim that you can't lose weight if you eat _____ . There are no off-limits foods in my diet except for foods that I simply don't like to eat.

junipearl

I like to see what my friends are eating as it can give me inspiration or ideas!

I also like keeping mine open to friends because it keeps me somewhat accountable to eat clean. I know a Mcdonalds cheeseburger would fit into the calories I have left for the day - but going home and snacking on some hummus and veggies will look more impressive in my diary lol

KristenE83

Mine is open. Go ahead and check it out if you want.... you might be frightened because I log everything. I like to see what other people are eating for meal ideas and to see where they are spending (and not spending) their calories because maybe it will help me. I keep mine open for the same reason, maybe it would help someone else. I have friends who are specifically my friends so I can see what they are chowing down on. I have friends who have their logs open and are clearly lying, but I don't judge because food is so much deeper than calories for some people. I have friends who have closed logs, and thats ok too. From what I can see, everyone on here gets and gives motivation, and I appreciate everyone regardless of the status of their food log.

zachatta

People like excuses to be nosey, and tell others how to live.

Everytime i see an open diary, i will see one comment to the effect of

"Well hurr durr next time watch your sugar intake durrrrrr".

NVM87

Pay closer attention. At least once a week (or sometimes a day) someone posts a thread ranting about people with closed diaries.
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You're probably right... Maybe I haven't noticed cause my focus is constantly on educating myself on weight loss rather than keeping an eye out for pple talking s*** bout others..this is a very popular diet tool that many pple from around the world are using...there's bound to be some bad eggs on here! Who cares everyone is entitled to their opinion

Julicat6

I don't care if anyone else has theirs open to public, open to friends, or closed when it comes to picking people I want to be MFP friends. I can tell enough from what they say in comments and in their profile. Mine is open to public, although when I first joined I had it open to friends only. I comment on the forums enough that I decided to make mine open. I think that people who post in the forums asking for advice on what they are doing wrong or how to break a plateau should open theirs, at least temporarily, so people can respond with some knowledge of what may be the problem. I would have kept mine closed had I started my weight loss journey here, rather than WW, at least at the beginning.

LynnieG85

I have an open food diary. For the first couple of weeks it was closed, and no-one commented. I decided to open it to friends because I could see them giving each other good feedback and advice. It doesn't bother me if someone has an open or closed diary, I think having it open to my friends can only be positive.

MrsPong

I just find that I'm more honest with it closed, if its open I tend to not log "every single bite" but thats just me.

junipearl

Oh, see I HAVE to be honest because I know that I am only cheating myself.
So if I am going to be honest and my diary is OPEN then I better eat right, so it motivates me to do better!

PriceK01

I'm new to this, but I keep mine open to friends. I'm expecting them to help keep me accountable. I'd be more likely to make poor food choices if I wasn't worried about someone else seeing them.

JaciaW

I can definitely see both advantages and disadvantages to have an open diary. Personally, I have experienced a lot of judging for people when my diary was open. Certain members sent me personal messages accusing me of having an eating disorder because I was under my calories for almost a week. It's really sad that people would come to such a conclusion when I was not feeling well so I didn't have much of an appetite. I've also had people call me out on slipping on and eating not so healthy food. So what if I chose to eat pizza one night? There's nothing wrong with indulging every once in a while. I don't get why people would get so worked up about someone else eating something "bad" when it's not their body and they don't know the situation.

JeepGirl56

We can do this journey.

Brenda_Pancakes

Holy Crap. Who would seriously go thru other people's diaries to "feel better about themselves and their slipups"? That's pathetic.

I'm nosey. I like looking at what other people that are doing really good put into their bodies. Some lead by example and don't even realize it.