Do MFP friends really help you lose more weight?

Susie_Q12
Susie_Q12 Posts: 40
in Introduce Yourself
I don't have any MFP friends. Does it really help with the weightloss?
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Replies

  • gshoemaker06
    gshoemaker06 Posts: 264 Member
    Not me. They entertain me when I'm bored.
  • JanelleG0122
    JanelleG0122 Posts: 323 Member
    I'm one of those people who love a support system. So yes, the more my friends support me, the better I feel and the more I feel as if I can accomplish anything!
  • mirandamayhem
    mirandamayhem Posts: 772
    I'm not sure it's so much the people as the fact that I'm motivated, but reading the forums certainly helps me to keep remembering why I'm here.
    And there are some great people!
  • hlinn01
    hlinn01 Posts: 36
    For me, it is helping. I love the support and encouragement, also motivation. In the Community setting, it is fun to read and get advice, but it's also nice to have friends who you know you can count on to help you out. It also is a sure way to keep me coming back, because I am a person who doesn't like to disappoint others.
  • windycitycupcake
    windycitycupcake Posts: 516 Member
    i say yes, definitely. but i was already a huge facebook junkie before this so i'm used to the format. it's a distraction from food and keeps reminding you that you have goals.

    also it feels nice to know that people are paying attention to you and trying to help. i don't have anyone like that in real life i would be too embarrassed to ask my friends for constant support. none of them really have weight problems or if they have food issues they deal with them in unhealthy ways like starvation.

    there are athletes and trainers on here giving good advice which is cool
  • fitnotfluffy
    fitnotfluffy Posts: 213 Member
    Absolutely! I used to be a social network FREAK. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, everything...all day long. Now I'm always on MFP. The people I've met on this site have changed my life, and helped support me through some struggles. They keep me in check when it comes to food choices, and I do the same for them as well. A lot of my friends also have competitions to see if we can burn a certain amount of calories each week and things of that sort, which is also really motivational!
  • firefly171717
    firefly171717 Posts: 226 Member
    It's kinda nice to say nice things and have nice things said back but its up to you :-)
  • Onaughmae
    Onaughmae Posts: 873 Member
    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!
  • liss125
    liss125 Posts: 77
    Most people find it very motivating, but I have never had MFP friends. I even have friends in real life who use this site and I don't 'friend' them. The idea of sharing my diet/exercise habits with others terrifies me.
  • AthenaArcher
    AthenaArcher Posts: 41 Member
    They help me stay on track......you can add me as your friend if you want.
  • misskim80
    misskim80 Posts: 7 Member
    Well i work at a gym and biggest thing for most people to succeed in a weight loss goal is having a big enough support system, but some people do not need that type of system to lose weight so it really all depends on what you need. I so far only have my IRL friends on my profile. But as long as they motivate you to lose and do not hold you back that is key importance.
  • rebrcca3434
    rebrcca3434 Posts: 67
    I'm not a social network person but it had been surprisingly helpful. I have approximately 80 friends and if I disappear someone will notice lol. I could probably do it on my own but it's more fun this way.
  • Ltrautman80
    Ltrautman80 Posts: 47 Member
    I think is always better to have a support goup. Whether it's a group of people you hang out with, talk over the phone, or on social networks. It's always more encouraging when people notice the changes you're going through and telling you that you're doing a great job. Especially people that are going through the same things you are. Plus it helps to know other people have been able to accomplish what you're trying to do. :smile:
  • hollyNhollywood
    hollyNhollywood Posts: 426 Member
    I started on here in March. The only friend I had was my Mom and I didn't use the message boards. I lasted about 10 days before falling off the wagon.

    I came back in May, I found friends and used the message boards-- and 3 months later, I'm going strong.
    Not only do the friends give you support & motivation (and vice versa), but it holds you accountable too.
  • tonyote40
    tonyote40 Posts: 30
    It depends how motivated you are and how motivated the friends you choose are. Mine help me out huge. They keep me motivated and thier achievements keep me going.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    Yes. Sometimes I'll post, "I don't feel like working out today". And, they'll all kick my @$$ and motivate me to do it. It's happened more than a few times. It's awesome.
  • candb
    candb Posts: 238
    I can't say they help me lose weight, but it's nice getting acknowledgements for weight loss and hard workouts. Plus knowing that I have friends who can view my diary each night and can see my calorie burns, helps me to make wiser choices.
  • stephanieb72
    stephanieb72 Posts: 390 Member
    I totally think it helps! They are there to cheer you on and it feels great to cheer them on too!
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    I will come over to your house and slap the sandwich out of your hand and replace it with a carrot. Followed by a light beating.

    That's what mfp friends do.
  • Esther50
    Esther50 Posts: 252
    Not really, they just keep me from quitting. The weight loss/gain is really my own doing.
  • emileesgram
    emileesgram Posts: 141 Member
    you are the doing the work for your weight loss but having MFP friends is like icing on the cake (maybe I shouldn't use that metaphor?) but in all seriousness it helps me to hear feedback and I like connecting with people all over the world. It's a;ways nice to have support and encouragement so I choose my pals carefully to make sure they are the kind of people I want to connect with.
  • JennifercitaDEgomez
    JennifercitaDEgomez Posts: 79
    Not me. They entertain me when I'm bored.

    Then it does help you... because if you dont get entrertain when bored... then you will be ending up EATING lol
  • Francesca3162
    Francesca3162 Posts: 520 Member
    For me it is a connection. I am all about motivating others, and the more I log food, and exercise and more weight I lose.. the more motivating I can be to others.
  • hippietofugirl
    hippietofugirl Posts: 430
    I think the friends help a little bit, but its more about being involved in the MFP community. The more involved you become with this website as far as the people and forums, the more informed and motivated you become about choosing a healthy lifestyle.
  • docturtle
    docturtle Posts: 156 Member
    Making my food diary public to my fitness pals helps me to think more about what I am eating and drinking because my pals can view it! It also motivates me to workout when I see my pals have done their workouts.
  • ScottCadi
    ScottCadi Posts: 56
    Yup! I get updates from people that make me chuckle, motivate me, get me to motivate them and generally just maintain my grip on this new lifestyle I've chosen.
  • stephvaile
    stephvaile Posts: 298
    yes because if i see they have all exercised and i didn,t feel like going it makes me want to get out there and do a big burn but you do need good friends who interact and comment i delete people who never comment or encourage me


    plus if you check the success stories and see somebody who started at your weight and they have a really great toned body that spurs you on because you then realise it can be done and that you can do it too
  • Copperycat
    Copperycat Posts: 215 Member
    Absolutely! The support you get is great and I get inspired by others achievements, which motivates me to do more.
  • beattie1
    beattie1 Posts: 1,012 Member
    I can't say they help me lose weight, but it's nice getting acknowledgements for weight loss and hard workouts. Plus knowing that I have friends who can view my diary each night and can see my calorie burns, helps me to make wiser choices.

    I agree with this. Sure I've been on diets before but having friends on MFP is helping me to keep on keeping on. And reading through the forums keeps me entertained and focused on my goals.
  • virgi51
    virgi51 Posts: 1
    My friend Arlin help me to keep in control with my weight.:drinker: :flowerforyou: :yawn: :laugh:

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