Why do people.......

I have mine open to friends only. I don't want someone, I don't know, who has lost 5 pounds giving me advice as to why I shouldn't eat lean cuisines.

....Not have their food diary available for friends to see, the amount of knowledge on this site will be vast and by scrutinising your diary's people will be able to give you some great advice.

basically.....get your diarys out!

Why is your profile private...how can we see your diary??????

^ this

lol

I have mine open to my friends but not open to the public. Some people on the boards can be a little critical sometimes. I do like when my friends have them open as I feel like I get to know them more like I can say oh I love Kashi cereal. I eat it too..etc I have not gotten to know many of my friends that keep it private unless they share other things as well. I respect those that keep it private, but I still wish they had it open. lol I didn't really even think of making my food diary private, but I felt judged a few days ago, so it would be a better idea as I have not logged it since. I think everyone just needs to be supportive, and not critical. Maybe some would share more if that was the case.

Because I am not here to get advice or feedback on my diary. Not everyone works the same way.

This. I'm here for myself, not for other people.

Mine is almost always open to friends, but if I am going through a very bad spell and am not pleased with myself, I'll keep it closed. I'd rather log honestly, which I may not do if I kept it open, and I don't want encouragement or advice unless I ask for it when I'm struggling. I know what I'm doing wrong on the days I struggle--I should just say "no" to grains. I don't want to hear it from you, and you, and you too.

I was a little worried about putting my diary out when I first started, just because I don't take criticism well. But, my main goal here is to eat better. How am I going to do that if nobody knows what I'm eating? My diary is open to friends only and I can say that I have a great group of friends that critique it. I've gotten notes telling me to increase my veggie/fruit servings, because of that I've increased and feel a lot better about myself. I've also watched what I eat better because I know it's going down in the diary for everyone to see. I also have had friends question days that they saw as low calorie days. This was great to me, because it meant they did care about my well being. I just explained my height, weight and that it was a rest day because of an injury. This also started a good dialogue about the injury.

And, like someone above stated, I like looking at other's diaries. It gives me great ideas for my meals.

Mine is open to my friends. Beyond that....I have enough trolls and hasslers in my life, thank you.

I'm not sure. I like having mine open, and I like seeing what other people eat as well. I like the accountability of an open diary. But then again, I've never minded sharing my weight either, and other people shy away from that as well. Everyone works in different ways.
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Agreed

I totally agree however i think you can get a good idea of the people that do have an idea regarding nutrition by profile pictures etc. People should be smart enough to realise who is speaking sense

I disagree. Esp. with the profile photos part. I have friends on here that have completed triathlons who are "bigger" or weigh more than me. A feat, I would like to mention that I am (at this time) incapable of doing. I myself have a few half marathons under my belt but I do not have a "runners" physique. You can't judge a persons level of fitness based on how they look or what they weigh for that matter. That also stands true with diets. When I am training for a half, my calorie and carb intake goes way up as my mileage does. From only glancing at my diary on those days, you would not have a good understanding of it.

Everyone is using MFP for their own personal reasons. But I think it is safe to say that a good majority of the members don't use it to be judged by their weight, what they eat, or how often they exercise. If they want to share their diary info good for them, if not it is not for anyone else to judge. I use it for the support and to track my goals-and to hopefully give support and encouragement to others.

because fvck it, that's why.

I agree! I won't make friends with someone if I cannot see their diary. To me it means they're not serious about getting healthy. Why is what they eat a secret? Share it with us! I do.

I have seen enough judgement from others and I do not need wannabe nutritionists telling me what to eat.

Because I'm not looking for advice on it? I'd open it if I was, but for now I don't see any reason to, especially given that there are people who criticize others, no matter how infrequent.

That, and I track my menstrual cycle and any bowel discomfort in the notes. I don't think anyone but me needs to see that

I agree! I won't make friends with someone if I cannot see their diary. To me it means they're not serious about getting healthy. Why is what they eat a secret? Share it with us! I do.

Really?!! If someone's diary is private they're not serious about being healthy? Sheesh, maybe I should just take up smoking, quit exercising and mainline bacon grease.

I'm an adult, a health professional and know what I'm supposed to eat. I use MFP to track what I eat and don't need anyone to critique my nutritional intake or lack thereof. I also don't care about anyone else's diary either and have never felt the need to look.

And aren't "diaries" supposed to be hidden???