Question about friends

I don't interact much on my home page. That said, most of my friends are people that I've come across over the years that have similar interests...mostly from a fitness standpoint. I don't think there's a whole lot of benefit to just having a bunch of random friends unless you are the type that needs rah rah cheerleading.

I prefer MFP to facebook. I like to see that they have completed a fitness activity and what it was...somedays that gets me off the couch. I also like to see other peoples food diary for ideas and again motivation for me to do the right thing. It helps me to know others are doing the same thing I am doing and to see them doing it. It helps if their posts are not just the generic ones MFP generates.

I'm not into all this social media stuff either, but I like having some friends here on MFP. I find the support and encouragement helpful, and sometimes it's just nice to be able to share a gripe or a success with others who've travelled the same road with you a while. Now and again there's someone I don't really click with or who never seems to interact outside of their automatic notifications, but most of those I've 'met' so far are lovely people.

On the other hand, I have a RL friend who lost over 100lbs only using MFP for the diary, and never bothered with the forums or the whole friends thing here. Each to their own!

Some discussions I'll have on my home page with a smaller crowd because I want that crowd for that discussion, and some discussions I'll have in the Community because I want that crowd for that discussion. Besides, most of my mfp friends asked me first and most of them did so because of some comment I'd made in the Community. I figure they see more value in the mfp friendship than I do so wysiwyg.

grmckenzie wrote: »

Really hope this doesn't come across wrong, but what is the benefit to friends on MFP?

I'm not much into social media like FB, Twitter or whatever the hell the kids are doing these days, but enjoy forum posting here and elsewhere.

I've got friend requests which, up to now, I've been ignoring or declining. I guess I just don't know what the "friends" thing here is. Do you share more info? I know your diary can be open to only friends but (I think) I have mine fully open.

So what am I missing by not having friends?

If you don't understand what friends with benefits is, I'm not explaining it!

I have a small group of friends. I am not a great friend. In and out, interactive for a short period of time and then ignore everyone for a while. I can say this much. Because of coming in to check on my friends, my health and weight loss goals stay in my mind. Even when I take a break from logging or actively trying to lose, it's stays in my mind that I need to get back to it when I can.

Another benefit is that there are some amazing people here, and it's great to share joy/sorrow, failures/triumphs with them. They are an amazing support system, and I am always open to lending an ear when needed/wanted. I do hope to meet some of them in person some day. I guess I need to sort out my passport though...

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grmckenzie wrote: »

Really hope this doesn't come across wrong, but what is the benefit to friends on MFP?

I'm not much into social media like FB, Twitter or whatever the hell the kids are doing these days, but enjoy forum posting here and elsewhere.

I've got friend requests which, up to now, I've been ignoring or declining. I guess I just don't know what the "friends" thing here is. Do you share more info? I know your diary can be open to only friends but (I think) I have mine fully open.

So what am I missing by not having friends?

I'm just like you re: Social Media. But I've accepted a few requests and sent a few as well. I notice some like to tell the whole story of their daily life on the friend's newsfeed, while others post very little. Some are consistent MFPers, while others don't even log in for a few days running.

I guess it's mainly good for Likes and Comments, and some comparisons to other friends' activity and calories.

I had a couple of "friends" recently and ended up deleting them because annoyingly they practically recorded every last thing they did down to wrapping their christmas presents. I was fed up of seeing their daily activities on my newsfeed. Then bizarrely one of them posted abuse on a subject I had started in the community section. They just couldn't accept that I wasn't interested in such detail. It didn't stop at one nasty comment so I had to report her and have her comments removed. I should name and shame her but that would make me as bad. Now I just have two friends who know how to behave lol

I was wondering the same thing

Agator82 wrote: »

SueSueDio wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

All my friends are unicorns, so there's that!

Wait, how did I miss this? Where do I find a unicorn friend?!

No, wait... a dragon! I want a dragon.

(Seriously, I really want a dragon. A small pet one will do, as long as it doesn't eat the cats.)

Here a a small dragon pet, very friendly...loves cats!



Sorry now horribly off topic, I had a couple UK friends at one time, which provided some nice conversations. Never had the sense of 'accountability' as this is the internet, but I did appreciate connecting with people who had their own goals.

Of course he loves cats. They are delicious!

nutmegoreo wrote: »

Agator82 wrote: »

SueSueDio wrote: »

queenliz99 wrote: »

All my friends are unicorns, so there's that!

Wait, how did I miss this? Where do I find a unicorn friend?!

No, wait... a dragon! I want a dragon.

(Seriously, I really want a dragon. A small pet one will do, as long as it doesn't eat the cats.)

Here a a small dragon pet, very friendly...loves cats!



Sorry now horribly off topic, I had a couple UK friends at one time, which provided some nice conversations. Never had the sense of 'accountability' as this is the internet, but I did appreciate connecting with people who had their own goals.

Of course he loves cats. They are delicious!

Crunchy and good with ketchup?

Thanks, @Agator82 , he's cute! I'm sure he'd get along well with the other 17 or so I have in my room here, not to mention all the others around the house...

I guess what I really want is a fire lizard.




And yes, I think I know what you mean about the 'accountability' side of it - it's not like anyone's going to come over and slap you for overeating, after all - but I do find the conversation and support helpful!

grmckenzie wrote: »

Really hope this doesn't come across wrong, but what is the benefit to friends on MFP?

I'm not much into social media like FB, Twitter or whatever the hell the kids are doing these days, but enjoy forum posting here and elsewhere.

I've got friend requests which, up to now, I've been ignoring or declining. I guess I just don't know what the "friends" thing here is. Do you share more info? I know your diary can be open to only friends but (I think) I have mine fully open.

So what am I missing by not having friends?

Probably nothing if it's not your thing.

Personally, my MFP friends are the only reason I'm still here, plugging away.
I only have a small friends list (compared to most) but they're all wonderful, supportive people and we all help each other out by celebrating each others achievements, victories or sharing in frustrations.
I don't get the point in friends collectors, or those who don't interact and I weed them out fairly quickly and there's no point in me having too many as I then can't keep up or return the support.

Horses for courses though, and I'm sure most people will do it differently to me, but it's just another aspect of MFP that you can use to help you in your journey if you so wish.