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Public Food Journal?

tabik30
tabik30 Posts: 443
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Today I decided to make my food journal open for friends to view in hopes that it will make me more accountable about my food choices. Has anyone done this and noticed a difference? Also I have a couple friends that fill out the entire day's journal in the morning, planning the meals for the entire day saying it helps them stay on track.. Anyone else do this and has it helped? Im always looking for new ideas on this journey:smile:

Replies

  • Buddie616
    Buddie616 Posts: 167 Member
    I try to plan as much as possible and I would say I think it has helped me stay on track! Good luck!
  • liftingbro
    liftingbro Posts: 2,029 Member
    I geuss if you think it will help then do it. However, I don't need the accountabilty, I know when I'm on track and not so I just self correct. Some people need a fear of being ashamed or that others will know to motivate them.

    Whatever works for you.
  • Emwalker3406
    Emwalker3406 Posts: 308 Member
    On the days that I plan out my meals and enter them either that morning or for the week I have found I have more success staying with in range and losing weight. Even if dinner plans change last min I have done better then on the days that i log as i eat. I have unlocked mine to friends but only recently and not sure how I feel about that part.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    I plan most of my days in advance. It helps me tweak things to stay within my macros. I don't count calories, just macros. But I have no need for input on my food choices, so my diary is private. Good luck!
  • I plan my whole week out sunday night xD
  • angelacasey736
    angelacasey736 Posts: 249 Member
    Mine was originally private and then i opened it to friends. I definitely think it helped - I felt if i was not open and honest about my eating i was only hurting myself. This is part of the key to holding yourself accountable and getting to your goal - at least is has been for me!
    Good luck to you!
  • Letty_c
    Letty_c Posts: 278 Member
    I geuss if you think it will help then do it. However, I don't need the accountabilty, I know when I'm on track and not so I just self correct. Some people need a fear of being ashamed or that others will know to motivate them.

    Whatever works for you.

    That's me!!!!! fear of being ashamed is what keeps me on track...... I make too many excuses
  • BodybyPlants
    BodybyPlants Posts: 76 Member
    I find that having my journal open to my friends is helpful if they aren't too harsh, because after all we are only human and make mistakes and we make progress slowly not all at once. But I no longer have mine open because a majority of my friends have theirs closed to their friends/public. So, I feel embarrassed/self-consious to have mine open.

    I have also tried planning in the morning but it felt too stick to me and I would often end up binging.. But thats just my experience, I know people this works for.

    =)
  • LuluGirl140
    LuluGirl140 Posts: 364 Member
    My food journal is open to my friends. The way I look at it, I have nothing to hide! I'm working hard, and trying to make wise choices. Do I mess up sometimes? Yes. But, we're all human. As long as you really are trying to eat the right things, then you have nothing to be ashamed of!

    I don't pre-log my meals, but I do plan the night before. Things always come up while I'm at work so I'd hate to have to go back, delete what I originally posted, and re-post. However, in the beginning I was VERY strict with my meals. I wouldn't pre-log but I wouldn't deviate from my planned meals. I'm nowhere near my goal, but feel like I can trust myself to make good decisions if I go out to eat.

    Good luck!!!
  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    Some people need a fear of being ashamed or that others will know to motivate them.

    It sounds weird, but this definitely works for me. I'm one that doesn't restrict, but I feel awkward putting in those slices of pizza or those brownies I ate in my journal because my friends can see it. I do it anyway, but it helps keep me more on track knowing that people see what I'm eating.
  • chicky89
    chicky89 Posts: 254 Member
    I dont have anyone viewing my journal... I dont even remember if its open for others to view.

    However, I do lots of planning and I try to write things I know Im going to be eating in that day. Than I know what kind of wiggle room I have for snacks and such.
  • MissFit0101
    MissFit0101 Posts: 2,382
    I keep mine public because I simply have no reason to hide it, but it doesn't change what I will or will not eat.

    I am one of those people who plan my whole day in the morning or even the day before, so I can be sure to stay on track and within my calories as well as carbs, fat, protein ETC. I sometimes even plan my whole week in advance. You should def try it because then you can make the necessary changes. I try to keep in mind how many calories I expect to burn (although I round a tad bit low in my mind) so that I can have those extra calories included into my meal plan.
  • chicky89
    chicky89 Posts: 254 Member
    I plan my whole week out sunday night xD

    X2
  • MissMaryMac33
    MissMaryMac33 Posts: 1,433 Member
    I don't usually plan ahead unless I'm going to eat at a restaurant (I look at menus online and add items) or I'm debating skipping the gym that day. :) Since the mobile app syncs with the web app so easy-- I don't have any problem adding my food as I go along during the day just using phone.
  • kristidem
    kristidem Posts: 160 Member
    I find asking for pulic help reivewing food journal when i'm stuck (not losing weight) or are concerned with what i'm eating. It's nice sometimes to hear other's suggestions, then you need to review them and decide what works best for YOU.
  • Bonny272
    Bonny272 Posts: 154 Member
    The cool part comes in when you have a question or a problem and there's people here that can look at your diary and help. :smile:
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    I know enough about food now to not need others to say "zomg you must eat veg! You must eat less snacks!" etc.

    I know what i'm eating, i know why I'm eating it too. I know it isn't "healthy", but it's sure as hell "healthier", and the calorie deficit and protein is always there. That's all it takes tbh.
  • MacInCali
    MacInCali Posts: 1,012 Member
    I just made mine public this morning and while it freaks me out a little since I typically keep my weight loss on the "down low", lol, I find that holding myself accountable only to me has been working great so far, so it can only increase that accountability if I'm accountable to everyone too. Here goes!! :smile:
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    I keep my diary closed. I don't want other people to feel the need to lecture me on what I eat. I am only accountable to myself and if I cheat myself, then I am not hurting anyone but me.

    Edited because I used the word myself in a sentence 3 times. A bit over the top!
  • maidentl
    maidentl Posts: 3,203 Member
    I initially had mine closed because I worried that if I had it open I would be tempted to fudge on it. I did open it to friends for a while but sure enough, I found myself not wanting to write things down. Mind you it did nothing towards keeping me from eating said things. I have days that I take a break from logging. Sometimes I eat crap on purpose. And I didn't feel I needed to explain that stuff every time and yet it was open, blah blah blah. I said screw it and closed it back. When no one else can see it I am 100% honest with it. And it should be my tool, not anyone else's.

    That all being said, that is how I am, different people have completely different motivations and needs for accountability. Do whatever works for you.
  • bzmom
    bzmom Posts: 1,332 Member
    I plan a head and yes it helps me keep with in my calories that way I dont run short on calories at the end of the day before I eat dinner.

    My diary has been open to friends since I began I gots no shame in my game even when I have been bad.
  • cal1973
    cal1973 Posts: 306 Member
    I log my daily food in one go some of it is in advance. However, the problem I have is that I eat everything I've logged even if I'm not hungry???

    Anyway, my diary is open as I know no shame :wink:
  • theginnyray
    theginnyray Posts: 208 Member
    I pre-log my meals in the morning or day before. We're big into meal planning, so I always know what my meals are for the week. I don't like surprises - so if I determine that my dinner is going to be more calories than I would have liked, I can plan my afternoon snack accordingly.
  • Mine is public, right now, but at other times i Take it off. like on weekends. cuz well its weekends. I'm human so usually dont eat that well on Fri, Sat, or Mon. I know Mon- is an odd day to not eat well, but thats how my body works.
    and i manage to correct it throughout the week. so i stay under my goals.

    I also change my goals from 2lbs weight loss to .5lbs weight loss. according to how i know my week is going to go. becuz i am busy or other factors.

    like now i am on midterms, and I work, and I teach a zumba class 3x a week. so Its hard to manage my time lately.
    as long as the number goes down every Week. im good. =)
This discussion has been closed.