Do people even look at diaries before they comment?

I always look at diaries before commenting. I cannot comment on everyone's but I try to comment on half one day and the other half the next. When I comment, it's rarely regarding the amount of calories- my friends seem to meet their goal, come pretty darn close or go over by a few. If everything looks good I will say "well done" or "nice job" but I also try to make it more personal by mentioning one of their foods "Great choice-you're salad for lunch sounds delicious" or something to that affect. If your diary is public- you better bet I'm going to comment. Isn't that why it's public in the first place? For guidance, tips, suggestions, etc?

On the other hand- it really sucks getting a "well done". I have a few friends who give valuable advice such as limiting my sodium or ways to lower my carbs (I have PCOS) but when I only get 1000 calories and you're telling me "nice job", I know it's insincere. I hate hearing that people are deleting people because they don't meet 1200 calories. Sure, for some it's intentional but for others, like myself, it's absolutely unintentional. I'm so focused on getting my carbs and sodium down that some days I don't realize I have an extra "x amount" of calories left. Many days, I'm completely full. Rather than getting a "great job", or being deleted, I would love to hear advice on how to get more calories without going over my carbs/sodium.

I got deleted for commenting on a ladys diary that I thought she was netting way tooo low!!

This is why I dont make my diary public. I dont always have time to log my dinner calories so when my "friends" give ma a WTG it is because I logged in for the day, not because of my caloric intake.

I know exactly what you're talking about and I don't understand it either. If I can't see a persons diary, I won't comment, because I haven't got a clue what they ate, if it was enough, or if it was healthy. If I can see a persons diary, I will look at it and will typically comment if the net calories are way low b/c I'm concerned for them. It infuriates me when people are saying "WTG!" on someone's diary and they've netted or eaten way below what they should have. A deficit is fine, but when you're talking 600 calories, that's not good.

A pal on here had not logged in during the past three days, so of course, that "(....) has not logged in" message. She got an "WTG!" reply on it. No, I don't think people check diaries, some people clearly don't know at all what they're commenting!

I delete people who have low cals. For some reason girls who eat 600 and under seem to flock to me, I don't understand it!

As for myself, I generally leave about 200 per day spare because I have trouble eating that much. I need to find new snacks I think. My diary is private though because, lol, when it was public a few days I hit the "finish logging" button on my phone by accident and people commented saying WAY TO GO!!!!! AWESOME DAY!!!! YUM!!!! Yet my diary was empty? And had nothing in it? What was yum... the air I apparently consumed? Oy vey.

I HATE when I accidentally hit "finish logging" - I always make sure I hit at least 1200 cals (even though most days I'm up to 1300). I feel so dumb when I do that and there is only 500 or so cals logged in.

But I always check diaries - I'm so curious as to what every one eats/looking for new healthy ideas. I guess I'm the only one?

I look at those who I can view. I will go in every so many days and see what they are eating and offer support where need but I am not as harsh as to delete them if they keep doing what they are doing. I will offer what support I can and suggest or offer them some ideas. Or give them positive feedback in a good way so it motivates them to do well.
I am not nasty about it I cannot twist there arm to my way of thinking and everyone is different and just because I do things one way doesn’t mean what I do is right for that person. All we can do is support one another and sooner or later that person will come around with the support and advice from there MFP Friends.

Of course. Why give praise to someone when they ate **** all day or ate way under their calories goals. I like looking at them any ways. Give me healthy ideas!

I delete people that have continually unhealthy diaries (low calories).

May sound harsh but I have a limited amount of time and energy to help others. Most of the 800 calorie people - you can't change their minds anyway.


I do kind of hate the way MFP seems to "celebrate" being under your calorie goal by posting it on your wall. I kind of wish it just said "Suzie finished her food log for today". Then you could look at it to see how the person did. Personally I think undereating by 900 calories is a lot worse than overeating by 25 calories.

I've also had days where I've eaten CRAP and gotten a lot of well done, wtg, etc. I'm like NO IT WASN'T!!!

I totally agree with you, when I 1st started MFP I accepted all friend requests, but got sickened with those who ate hardly anything, I did look at their diaries, and was shocked, some were only eating 500 cals a day, and exercising!!

I read that it is unhealthy and not recommmended for women to eat less than 1200 calories a day, they recommend a deficit of 500 cals to lose steadily.

Well, I tend to eat my recommended 1200 calories, but I usually do not eat my work out calories back, because it doesn't work for me. Plus I'll have some low days because I don't eat if i'm not hungry and I could have had three meals and two snacks and still be under. But thats me

same here

Not my business what people eat or don't eat unless they specifically ask. i would hope that anyone would give me the same respect. I would be totally hurt if I was unfriended by someone based solely on my "net cals" which I have been told by my trainer, doctor, and RN not to worry about! Calories per day is what I have been advised to go by and I have my reporting set to such so I don't worry about this Net Cal thing.

Mind you, would you really want those particular people on your buddy list anyway, I would look at it as a lucky escape :laugh:

I try to have friends with similar weight loss strategies. I think I've had a couple with really low calories, and I deleted them. I don't comment on diaries unless I have time to actually look at them.

But I'm never anywhere near my calorie goal because I like to have it set to "maintain" so that the number remaining at the end of the day is my deficit. So if it says I have 500 calories remaining, that means I met the 1 lb goal. I worry that people will see that and think I'm under eating. lol

I have never had someone comment negatively on my diary but I have mine set up similar to yours. I think unless you know for a fact that a person is just really undereating for the sole purpose of losing weight fast or to maintain an unhealthy body, you shouldn't comment.

Diaries are for personal use. Unless someone posts a diary and says "hey what do you think?" then shut up and mind your own business. Unsolicited comments from people with no education in that area is fruitless and a waste of eevryones time.

If someone asks, well then game on.

Diaries are for personal use. Unless someone posts a diary and says "hey what do you think?" then shut up and mind your own business. Unsolicited comments from people with no education in that area is fruitless and a waste of eevryones time.

If someone asks, well then game on.

I agree with this to an extent. I have seen many people commenting that this is the internet, it is public,...yada yada but people are allowed to have a private diary. They are also allowed to have an open diary. I don't think everyone is here for the support and networking. Not everyone is here to log food. Some days I don't log my food, but I am on the forums nearly everyday. It is "my" fitness pal.

I know I have failed at two miserable diets before I found what works and that I can be healthy, happy and eat enough and still lose weight. Not everyone on here is at that point.

Yeah I don't think people have read it when they reply like that. I mean I don't read everyone's diary. And some people have them for friends only so unless it was a friend I may not even be able to see everyone's diary that you can(if it to a board replies/wtgs or good jobs). I'll read some diaries but not all. I don't have time to follow and track 60+ other diaries. My own can be hard enough. lol

I delete people that have continually unhealthy diaries (low calories).

May sound harsh but I have a limited amount of time and energy to help others. Most of the 800 calorie people - you can't change their minds anyway.


I do kind of hate the way MFP seems to "celebrate" being under your calorie goal by posting it on your wall. I kind of wish it just said "Suzie finished her food log for today". Then you could look at it to see how the person did. Personally I think undereating by 900 calories is a lot worse than overeating by 25 calories.

I've also had days where I've eaten CRAP and gotten a lot of well done, wtg, etc. I'm like NO IT WASN'T!!!

So well said on the eating over 25 calories being better than 900 calories under. I have't deleted anyone due to diary. Most of the people I delete are because they haven't posted in months.

I also don't like the "under her goal" comment and how everyone strives for that. Its best to be right at or 10-30 over than be way under. I'm not sure I believe in the "starvation mode" either but 300-400 net calories doesn't seem healthy AT ALL. Your body requires so many just to breathe and pump your heart to keep blood circulating even if you sit on your bum all day and don't move an muscle. I think there is a starvation point where your body will hold onto fat stores but I think it would take a lot longer than a couple weeks.