How many MFP friends can you effectively support?

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

This. :drinker:

This question is so weird to me. Do you ever wonder how many Facebook friends you can "support"? That's not the point of having MFP friends to me. I want to see what my friends are up to, follow their shenanigans, read their rants and raves... the point for me is to know there are a bunch of people out there who may not roll their eyes and barf a little when I talk about my latest PR or my caloric intake. Some people I friend because they are awesome and I want to see what they are up to, even though we really don't interact. Some people friend me to expand their network of runners, lifters, Jersey girls, attorneys, whatever they want on their news feed. It's all good.

And I really don't get the defriending for low activity, unless you are in the 300 range and actually need to make room on your list. How does it harm me to have someone sitting there on my friend list, taking up zero space on my news feed because they have no activity? It doesn't. And then sometimes they come back, and I've been thanked for not dropping them during the hardships that kept them away from MFP.

A couple if they eat small and don't mind sharing a bed.

:laugh:

Not everyone needs a customized response I'm perfectly okay receiving the occasional "yay you!". I like having people to talk to but their words of encouragement or lack thereof are not what motivate me. If a person can't do something without a herd of cheerleaders then that person is going wrong somewhere.

This question is so weird to me. Do you ever wonder how many Facebook friends you can "support"? That's not the point of having MFP friends to me. I want to see what my friends are up to, follow their shenanigans, read their rants and raves... the point for me is to know there are a bunch of people out there who may not roll their eyes and barf a little when I talk about my latest PR or my caloric intake. Some people I friend because they are awesome and I want to see what they are up to, even though we really don't interact. Some people friend me to expand their network of runners, lifters, Jersey girls, attorneys, whatever they want on their news feed. It's all good.

And I really don't get the defriending for low activity, unless you are in the 300 range and actually need to make room on your list. How does it harm me to have someone sitting there on my friend list, taking up zero space on my news feed because they have no activity? It doesn't. And then sometimes they come back, and I've been thanked for not dropping them during the hardships that kept them away from MFP.

This is pretty much where I'm at. While I appreciate that we have, to some degree, the common goals of weight loss / greater health, I don't expect my pals to babysit me. Nor should they realistically expect that from me, because I guarantee I don't have that to give.

But when I have a chance to be here, I like to scroll through my feed and "catch up," even if that only means browsing. I do appreciate (really!) all of the encouragement, especially from people who are positive and have a sense of both humor and balance (as defined by my own albeit questionable guidelines). However, I don't take a tally of who did or didn't comment that day. I know as well as anyone that some days it's just not in the cards...it's a challenge to just schedule breathing, let alone a "Wtg!"

Likewise, I don't always comment on each diary closure or period of exercise, but if I have a bit of extra time, I will. Or if something just jumps out at me about their day. Or if it seems that the person does have a struggle or concern pressing more on them at that time. I do want to be supportive, for sure.

It's different for everyone, I guess, in terms of need, expectation, availability, desire, approach, etc. But for me, I am just as happy to read about the shenanigans of someone's kid or whatever as to have them comment on my diary. I know that when it comes down to it and I do want to discuss a fitness related issue or compare a recipe or lament jumping off of a calorie cliff for a day (well, there isn't much lamenting lol), at least some of them will be available, as I hope to be for them.

I'll admit that I do have a handful of "favorite" friends that I know I'll hear from more often or that will always have some activity posted that is particularly of interest. I think this is normal, too. Good thing I only have one kid. Ha!

I guess each of us needs to evaluate what works for us in this type of medium. If you are strictly about fitness, that's absolutely fine. If you prefer daily contact with each of your friends and can find like-minded individuals, then you should. I enjoy my "friends" here and I find them encouraging...and I hope I offer them the same. Just not every day.

ETA: I did deactivate a couple of people following their respective periods of inactivity. Frankly, I felt terrible about and would do it differently today. Like you say, in my case, what does it hurt? I have plenty of room and if they decide to come back following whatever struggles they've had, then great! Who am I to judge?

I have 47 now and its getting to be too much. I delete people that don't comment, don't log in, post dozens of annoying/complaining messages, etc, and I usually only get 1-2 new friends at a time so that I have a chance to get to know them. My friend list has been very slowly increasing.

I got a few more, then had a couple of friends change their usernames and a bunch of people change their pics and... I'm starting to get confused. It would be so much easier if people kept the same pic. I understand why people don't, but the visual reminder helps.

I have quite a few friends (over 100). I support those that I see active which aren't very many, but I don't comment on every single update - and I don't expect my friends to comment on every little thing either. I see the same people every day in my feed actually updating, and it's the same people that support me back, some are just...there. I feel like some people will add other on here because of something they said in a forum or advice that was offered directly that helped that person so they want to connect to stay inspired. I do try to delete people that don't log in after 10 days or so because I don't want to bother having a big friend list with mostly inactive people.

Hi Everyone!!

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200 is my limit. At 201, things completely fall apart.

Just like IRL friends they mosey into and out of my life via my newsfeed. I am able to remember people in general and the usernames are the key for me rather than the picture. That might be what makes it easier. For someone who is solely focused on the profile pic avatar which is subject to change that might be harder to keep them straight. It would be like if you were trying to keep track of a bunch of coworkers who's hairstyles and faces changed drastically then the best way to keep them straight would be by desk. That's what usernames are to me. Thank goodness I can read.

There are some friends who are just more vocal on my wall or their newsfeed than others at the time I am. Naturally like a face you pass in the HS hallways those are going to make their way into my life easier than someone on a different schedule like a person walking the other side of campus would. I welcome anyone onto my FL because they may need something I can offer with my open diary and very verbal online persona. If they don't want or need that or if my support is insufficient they are free to delete me. Most personalities that are drawn to me don't need their hand held anyways so like attracts like I guess. We just have fun and it seems not to be insufficient for most people.

Short answer to your question it depends on the person and their idea of support.

Some of the responses were so adorably endearing, that I am having a very hard time, not making a nuisance out of my self and friending some of you, because you made me laugh. Good luck on the friend thing everyone.

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.

I agree. I'm not an expert, so I can't really offer advice. I offer support in the form of attaboys.

I hardly ever look at diaries (I think that I look when I'm hungry. LOL). When I have downtime, I go through my TL and reply to ppl. I reply to everyone or go to their wall at least once a wk and I have over 400 ppl on my FL. I generally accept all FR. I don't expect a reply from everyone each day. Some people are busy.

Thank goodness I can read.

:laugh: Silly.

same here. I deleted about 10 people because they weren't active for months to a year.

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....

---but i tend to delete people after inactive for 5 days.. and I dont actively look for people... but I just started back on here from a break so adding people again until I get to around 80 then im done.