How many MFP friends can you effectively support?

dsimmons107
dsimmons107 Posts: 387 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I had a lot friends on my MFP list and I try to offer support to all who log in. I started deleting those who do not log in and are not family or where not friends before MFP. I see people with more that a hundred friends. How can you support that many people? How do you keep up with their goals and offer meaningful comments on diet and exercise?
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Replies

  • BeanCounter3
    BeanCounter3 Posts: 158 Member
    agree....I have a few, but I don't really want a lot. I'm sure there are many wonderful people on this site, but if you cant keep up, what's the point?
  • DeltaZero
    DeltaZero Posts: 1,197 Member
    Need to work on your endurance.
  • sarrah_n
    sarrah_n Posts: 192 Member
    I have hit my max at about 15 friends. Anything beyond that and I can't keep them straight.
  • themtron
    themtron Posts: 57 Member
    I'm good at around 20...
  • THECaptainObvious
    THECaptainObvious Posts: 399 Member
    I'm good with just a handful anything over 30 is too much for me.
  • DantheMan2517
    DantheMan2517 Posts: 134 Member
    Agreed. I have a core group of people who I support and support me. But yea, I agree, some people are just into collecting friends so they can collect compliments for their egos, it seems.
  • Mother_Superior
    Mother_Superior Posts: 1,624 Member
    A couple if they eat small and don't mind sharing a bed.
  • michael1976_ca
    michael1976_ca Posts: 3,488 Member
    i have 80 something it not to hard. the harder part are the one wo don't log anything or talk. there tricky but that is very low most post some thing
  • BeanCounter3
    BeanCounter3 Posts: 158 Member
    A couple if they eat small and don't mind sharing a bed.

    :huh:
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
    I think too many at one time makes it difficult to develop a relationship. Like being introduced to too many people at once. But as time and familiarity build, it gets easier to remember who is who. If I didn't have the number I have, I wouldn't have many friends to talk to as most have dropped out. The attrition level here is huge.
  • rose228822
    rose228822 Posts: 186 Member
    I actually enjoy reading and getting tips through open diaries and I also get motivated when I see a weight loss post or someone has achieved a goal whether it's big or small and honestly I am very detailed and I like encouraging and motivating others to help them along their journey as they have helped me. I work full-time, volunteer, workout etc... along with being a mom to three great daughters but there is always time to post a sentiment or encouraging note and I do mean every word I post and I do read every diary and every post that I see before commenting...sometimes my reply is short but true and sometimes it's longer and also true....but I don't expect my MFP pals to always post, life does get in the way sometimes and sometimes people need a break from logging, I just happen to really enjoy it! take care - rose
  • TheBoldCat
    TheBoldCat Posts: 159 Member
    I have 35 and my max is 50 because sometimes people comes and goes...and some are not really active
  • BrotherBill913
    BrotherBill913 Posts: 662 Member
    I don't turn down friend requests and always try to comment when Pals post. Keeps people motivated. Delete ones who haven't been on in along time....
  • Mother_Superior
    Mother_Superior Posts: 1,624 Member
    A couple if they eat small and don't mind sharing a bed.

    :huh:

    Not with me obviously. I mean, they can eat with me of course, but the bed thing, no....

    (I'm an acrobatic sleeper, you see.)
  • LishLash79
    LishLash79 Posts: 562 Member
    I have a bunch on my friends list and tend to have about 20 or so that I really support because I have gotten to know them, and you can see by there postings that they are super dedicated. ;) they are also usually the ones that support me as well ;) I have a lot on my list that never post anything, but yet they are on there everyday still ;) you do your best ;)
  • eileen0515
    eileen0515 Posts: 408 Member
    I admit I am a terrible friend. I do feel somewhat bad about it. I think it's partly because, I am self motivated. Maybe a tad lazy too. I do add whoever makes a friend request. I do have my diary open to friends, so hopefully they don't feel, I don't contribute at all.

    I do love to read the message board, and like to contribute at times.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    I had a lot friends on my MFP list and I try to offer support to all who log in. I started deleting those who do not log in and are not family or where not friends before MFP. I see people with more that a hundred friends. How can you support that many people? How do you keep up with their goals and offer meaningful comments on diet and exercise?

    I don't usually. There are a few people who I interact with a lot, but generally if people want my input they ask on my wall or via PM.
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member
    I support whatever is on my newsfeed. For those that do not log in after a certain period of time I just delete.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I've been here awhile so part of it is that I've built up my list gradually. I didn't add 140 people overnight. Some of my friends I know much better than others. Some I chat with daily; others I just offer a "good work!" if I happen to see that they've posted exercise or reported a loss.

    I have gotten much pickier about who I add though, since I do want to feel like I at least know who the people on my list are when I see them on my news feed.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    A couple if they eat small and don't mind sharing a bed.

    In!
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    I had a lot friends on my MFP list and I try to offer support to all who log in. I started deleting those who do not log in and are not family or where not friends before MFP. I see people with more that a hundred friends. How can you support that many people? How do you keep up with their goals and offer meaningful comments on diet and exercise?

    I don't. If they want my input they ask on my wall or via PM.

    I remember different times :D

    @OP: I used to be anal about the number of friends I have. Wanted to keep it under 30. Then it got to 50, then 100 and so on. Now I just add friends who seems to be fitness minded and comment and support whenever I can. Try to keep it limited number of friends as much as I can but on my profile it states clearly that I don't have tons of time so be prepared to not hear from me often. I don't hold grudges about being deleted so they are free to delete me to make room if they find me unsupporting.
  • Cindyinpg
    Cindyinpg Posts: 3,902 Member
    I've been here awhile so part of it is that I've built up my list gradually. I didn't add 140 people overnight. Some of my friends I know much better than others. Some I chat with daily; others I just offer a "good work!" if I happen to see that they've posted exercise or reported a loss.

    I have gotten much pickier about who I add though, since I do want to feel like I at least know who the people on my list are when I see them on my news feed.
    This. I only had maybe dozen friends for the first six months, but then as soon as I started talking about eating ice cream everyday, it grew really quickly. :happy: I try to make helpful comments here and there and I interact a lot with the active ones.
  • THECaptainObvious
    THECaptainObvious Posts: 399 Member
    A couple if they eat small and don't mind sharing a bed.

    Eat small what? And sharing a bed is a no go since I can't sleep in the same position twice and ESPECIALLY if my partner is eating small things.. smh lol
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  • twooliver
    twooliver Posts: 450 Member
    I do not see it as my job to "support" everyone I friend. There is a huge benefit in friending people who are successful and serious about their weight loss journey. They support me and I support them everytime someone makes a comment, opens their food diary, expresses their frustrations. We're not here to enable or hold hands...rather to be inspired by one another. I've never expected my friends to comment on my posts... if I get a few who do...great. And if a few comment on their posts then I don't need to repeat what's already been said. I'm mindful to try and comment on folk's wall when no one else does however.

    I love following other ppl's journeys, that in itself is inspiring... and of course I hope that my journey can be of inspiration to others. This is how I understand "friends" on MFP...
  • MiloBloom83
    MiloBloom83 Posts: 2,724 Member
    i'm around 175. would probably try to stay under 200. Contrary to popular belief, we are not all here for the same reasons and i am not supportive. My friends only need an occasional kick in the *kitten*. They are there for my amusement only.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    Once my FL gets up over 150/160 I start having some trouble. The vast majority of my friends have been friends for a long time (like a year or more). It's not hard to support people that are active and regularly post "things" (fitness related or otherwise) because you get to "know" them and what they are working towards and struggling with. It's also not hard to support people when you add them slowly (instead of 20 people at a time) and you have things in common with them.

    I find it more difficult to support people that post only workouts/diary complete and no commentary ever. I have no idea who they are, what their goals are, what their struggles/injuries/illnesses/etc may be. It's very difficult to offer something meaningful. But that's just me.
  • Goal179
    Goal179 Posts: 314 Member
    Great post. I built my friend list up over night because of a topic that I posted. Many people could identify with it and it sent my friend requests soaring. I accepted all of them because I was new to MFP and didn't know that I needed to be a little more descriminating. I also feel badly if someone sends me a request and I deny them. It just seems rude. But I guess I need to learn to be rude because it is becoming very difficult to keep up with them all. I honestly like to read their diaries, respond to their questions, and generally love and support them. But with over 120+ something friends, it is kind of hard. Sometimes I feel like a bad pal. One thing that has saved me is that alot of folks drop off or simply don't log very often. That has given me the opportunity to really get to know some of the core members of my group.
  • SweetTrouble_
    SweetTrouble_ Posts: 933 Member
    I try, but sometimes I suck at being a good friend, it depends how needy they are. I don't expect every one of my friends everyday to be able to comment and show me love, we all have real lives outside of mfp.
  • twooliver
    twooliver Posts: 450 Member
    i'm around 175. would probably try to stay under 200. Contrary to popular belief, we are not all here for the same reasons and i am not supportive. My friends only need an occasional kick in the *kitten*. They are there for my amusement only.


    LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    We do need our muses...

    :laugh:

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