why would people feel the need to keep their food diary priv

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Replies

  • TheBraveryLover
    TheBraveryLover Posts: 1,217 Member
    I've never seen anyone just flat out start commenting on someone's food choices unless it was related to the question/topic. ie... why aren't I losing weight? Why aren't I gaining strength? etc....

    There was a (quite long) thread posted just last week with someone, passive aggressively, insulting her friend's food choices even though her friend was always under her calorie goal. It happens quite a bit. Its why I keep my diary for friends only and my friends list low.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    I think some of you would put a mirror on the ceiling, screw the lights on thing. haha
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I keep mine private. Number 1 reason is I use the notes section for some personal info. Number 2 I'm accountable for myself, I know the difference between good and bad foods. I don't need someone to point it out to me. As for those stating "people must keep it private because they are ashamed and eating unhealthy" are very wrong and judgemental. That is not at all the case, for me anyway.

    I so agree with you!!! Mine is private and I am totally NOT 'ashamed and eating unhealthy'. I'm pretty damn happy with where I'm at in my fitness goals! There is nothing wrong with having your diary open or private...it's just a personal preference.
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 1,033 Member
    I know I might take a beating for this comment... but Personally I think it is a little creepy/stalkerish to feel the need to look at another person's food diary, without first asking for suggestions in a forum or something to see where to cut back calories or get more meal suggestions, or to seek advise on your own diary... I feel like a persons food choices are their own choice to make... and if they have a cheat day, then guess what it isn't hurting anyone but them or their own family... If I'm looking for some calorie cutting ideas I check out the recipe forum instead of creeping in other peoples diary personally.
  • Iamfit4life
    Iamfit4life Posts: 3,095 Member
    I think some of you would put a mirror on the ceiling, screw the lights on thing. haha
    yeah, and?
  • ruststar
    ruststar Posts: 489 Member
    Mine is open to my friends but not the general public because it's nobody else's business. It's a DIARY, which is something something I've always thought of as private. I don't ask for feedback nor want it unsolicited. I'm not here to provide anyone else ideas, just to keep myself accountable. It's no different than when I tracked my calories in a notebook I kept in my purse, just far more convenient. I log everything, good, bad, and otherwise, and there is no shame involved. Why does it matter to anyone else?
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    I think some of you would put a mirror on the ceiling, screw the lights on thing. haha

    I already do but my diary is still private ;)
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    For some people, an open diary makes them more accountable. I'm the opposite. I am totally honest with a private diary, and it works for me. Also, I'm very private and kind of weird.

    I'm not ashamed of it, though, and if I ever need help, I will immediately open my diary. I just don't want to start letting what other people might think dictate my logging/eating.
  • joseph9
    joseph9 Posts: 328 Member
    I'm friends only. I don't like my daily activity getting sucked up by Google, but I don't care if my friends see what I eat/how I exercise.
  • capriciousmoon
    capriciousmoon Posts: 1,263 Member
    Because I don't want anyone thinking I'm making poor food choices when I'm actually just poor. Sometimes I don't have any food at all. I know how to eat and I do quite well when I have food. I just know there will be some days where the only thing I ate was popcorn and I can't do anything about that. No shame here.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Why do people assign some type of judgemental meaning to a simple question?

    If you have your reasons, go ahead and post them. I don't care that much. Just want to know why.
  • Seminolegirl97
    Seminolegirl97 Posts: 306 Member
    Mine is wide open for all to see. I invite comments but honestly, I don't think anyone has anything to say other than 'that sounds good' or 'yummy'. I like to see other diaries to get ideas on things to eat in the future.


    I do the same. Mine is open to my friends and I read my friends Diary for food ideas. I have several friends that have lost a ton of weight and I love "Stealing" food options from them when I get bored or in a rut. But I never comment on them. It is not my place to judge.
  • MercenaryNoetic26
    MercenaryNoetic26 Posts: 2,747 Member
    This is why mine is private. I am not ashamed of my eating habits and I know I need to eat less processed stuff and I am working on it but having someone tell me feels like I am 6 and my mother is giving me crap for having my hand in the cookie jar so to speak.

    If I have questions I make it open so people can see what I am eating but I do not need someone to critique my food when I don't ask.

    Wow! I haven't experienced that yet. I wouldn't say crap like that because as long as you're under, you lose weight... and the whole deficit thing. If people eat something tasty, I just say, "Dang, that sounds good!" Or "I'm jealous!" If they said that to me, I'd just roll it off the shoulders. Again, if you can't say something positive, just don't!
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    For some people, an open diary makes them more accountable. I'm the opposite. I am totally honest with a private diary, and it works for me. Also, I'm very private and kind of weird.

    I'm not ashamed of it, though, and if I ever need help, I will immediately open my diary. I just don't want to start letting what other people might think dictate my logging/eating.
    genius words, right there...
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    I keep mine private. Number 1 reason is I use the notes section for some personal info. Number 2 I'm accountable for myself, I know the difference between good and bad foods. I don't need someone to point it out to me. As for those stating "people must keep it private because they are ashamed and eating unhealthy" are very wrong and judgemental. That is not at all the case, for me anyway.

    I so agree with you!!! Mine is private and I am totally NOT 'ashamed and eating unhealthy'. I'm pretty damn happy with where I'm at in my fitness goals! There is nothing wrong with having your diary open or private...it's just a personal preference.

    Exactly it's not one fit all. I've lost 80 lbs and I'm damn proud, trust me it's not from eating crap and hiding it in my diary!
  • HeelsAndBoxingGloves
    HeelsAndBoxingGloves Posts: 916 Member
    I had mine private for a long time because I was afraid of other people judging me and my choices.... now it's open to my friends on here because they know where I'm at and they say helpful things to me if htey say anything at all! And if someone gets mean about my exercise or food choices then buh-bye to them! :drinker:
  • Lekkie84
    Lekkie84 Posts: 17
    I'm doing some elimination testing to see what does and doesnt go with my body. So I keep my private because I'm sure people want to hear about stomach issues... just sayin'.
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    Mine is wide open for all to see. I invite comments but honestly, I don't think anyone has anything to say other than 'that sounds good' or 'yummy'. I like to see other diaries to get ideas on things to eat in the future.
    Or "You are a slave to Trader Joe".
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    Why do people assign some type of judgemental meaning to a simple question?

    If you have your reasons, go ahead and post them. I don't care that much. Just want to know why.

    Your question or any of your responses weren't judgemental and I answered the question honestly. I stated that the responses stating people with private diaries must be eating badly and are ashamed are judgemental.
  • killagb
    killagb Posts: 3,280 Member
    Mine is wide open for all to see. I invite comments but honestly, I don't think anyone has anything to say other than 'that sounds good' or 'yummy'. I like to see other diaries to get ideas on things to eat in the future.
    Or "You are a slave to Trader Joe".
    That is a common one. :drinker:
  • Roni_M
    Roni_M Posts: 717 Member
    Because "you should eat more whole grain pasta" is only helpful when eating it doesn't make you want to barf! I hate pasta of pretty much any variety!! Also it's a lifestyle change and if flax seed, chia pets and green smoothies fit in your lifestyle it doesn't mean it fits in mine!!! LOL
  • Pocket_Pixi
    Pocket_Pixi Posts: 1,167 Member
    Wow! I haven't experienced that yet. I wouldn't say crap like that because as long as you're under, you lose weight... and the whole deficit thing. If people eat something tasty, I just say, "Dang, that sounds good!" Or "I'm jealous!" If they said that to me, I'd just roll it off the shoulders. Again, if you can't say something positive, just don't!


    Most people I have run across never say anything about it unless they have been asked, now commenting that something sounds good or anything like that - well thats completely different. I enjoy getting feedback - especially if it is positive, I never react poorly to someone making a suggestion either, especially if it is going to help me out in some way. But the day I got the message in my inbox about eating processed foods and poisoning my body (I dont eat a lot of processed food but there are some days), I just decided to make it private. If I ever go to the forums to ask for help, I will make sure the diary is open - its kind of hard to help someone if you can't see what they need help with lol.
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    I keep mine private because I don't believe there is anyone here who can offer better insight into what I need to be eating than me.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Why do people assign some type of judgemental meaning to a simple question?

    If you have your reasons, go ahead and post them. I don't care that much. Just want to know why.

    Your question or any or your responses weren't judgemental and I answered the question honestly. I stated that the responses stating people with private diaries must be eating badly and are ashamed are judgemental.

    Maybe I miss-assigned judgement to the replies. ie.. took them personally when I shouldn't have.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    I keep mine private because I don't believe there is anyone here who can offer better insight into what I need to be eating than me.

    You needs a burger. meal.gif
  • writtenINthestars
    writtenINthestars Posts: 1,933 Member
    Because I can! =p
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    I'm not saying there's a correlation but I find it interesting that people will pour out the most personal topics and ask advice and others keep the food diaries private. But yeah I get the personal notes/health related reasons.

    The out of the blue comments on their diaries are outright strange. I wonder if the ignore feature would work to curb that?
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    I keep mine private because I don't believe there is anyone here who can offer better insight into what I need to be eating than me.
    You needs a burger. meal.gif
    OH SNAP!
  • seal57
    seal57 Posts: 1,259 Member
    Because I'm an adult and can make my own food choices good or bad. And I don't appreciate unsolicited advice from complete strangers who are not a doctors/nutritionists/dietitians. And people do comment if your diary is open to the public. In the end I am accountable only to myself for my successes or failures.

    Exactly...........
  • mudya
    mudya Posts: 128 Member
    My diary is open to my friends. The reason I have kept mine private is because nobody would actually understand what I was having for my meal anyway... I log everything I have put into a meal exactly, so it looks like a load of random ingredients when in fact its an actual meal :P I don't have many bad days (I only buy what I need when I go shopping, good old self disapline!) But when I'm back home for the holidays I might indulge and I would rather only my friends and family know about that, they will understand but some stranger on the web wouldn't. I have 2 friends on mfp, one who recently added me and the other is my sister, I prefer to have as little friends as possible and use the actual forums as a support tool.
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