How many MFP friends can you effectively support?

I enjoy making connections with people who have similar goals as me which I guess is how I keep my friends list down, although I recently had to delete some people because they havent logged in months, I try to reach out a couple of times first because I don't like to see people give up especially if we have shared conversations about our goals before with each other. I get very busy as well but I try my best to follow everyone and be honest in my comments, if I comment I mean whatever it is I say, I really am rooting for you, I enjoy seeing other peoples progress and sharing stories, it's motivating and fun!

I guess it depends on what type of support they need? I don't know that there is a perfect answer to it. I have a little over 100, some of them post quite often, I comment on their statuses, they comment on mine, we support each other. I do not comment on diaries unless I happen to check one and find they have yummy foods, because I don't have time to read through every single persons diary for the day. I try to post on peoples weight loss more so than anything because it energizes me when people tell me good job

Many of the friends I have are people that are in the same boat (weight to lose) so I don't mind having extra friends. Do I ever delete people? Sure, some deactivate their accounts, some don't log for over 3 or more months. Those I figure, they will come back when they are ready and honestly probably won't remember me anyway.

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.

Exactly! And while I may not interact with everyone on my FL, I often enjoy reading various points of view on the threads and posts. I only delete those people that my gut tells me are clearly not in my corner and make room for others who may be. I don't want or need to be patted on the back constantly, or advised daily. But if I'm always supporting a person who never gives me the time of day, delete is in order.

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.