Food Diaries

Mine is open cause I like looking at others for ideas of what to eat and I have nothing to hide. There are some days where I didn't record because I was out of town and I don't have the internet on my phone so I can only record when I have a computer available which is every day except when I'm out of town

I love open diaries. I especially like snooping on my MOL's because she can come up with some pretty interesting things to eat and she is so committed (almost a year and 100 lbs). She doesn't lie about anything (she will even put in a bite of cake if that is all her calories can handle) and is really honest about exercise. I think it is nice to see what people are eating and how it is working for them.. huge inspiration! Now, if only I can get motivated again to use mine religiously...

I started mine as private...I only had 2 friends to begin with, but added friends along the way. After trolling some of the forums, I noticed that there are some people that look for food ideas in other journals, so I just made it public.

i track every day and put everything in there. If I eat a handful of jelly beans, you'll see it. If I have a great night with Captain Morgan, you'll see it! Judge me if you want, but I know I only have to answer to me!

Mine is public, because I want my friends to be able to offer me helpful advice, and I also don't really care if other MFP members look at it from time to time. I've got nothing to hide!

CAUTION: Just remember if you look at someone else's diary and it works for them, it does not necessarily mean the same food choices will work for you too.

Because I got messages from people telling me I should follow *insert diet name here* or I'll never succeed. And I got quite a few rude comments because I ate a slice of cake or ice cream. I eat anything I want in moderation, more healthy foods than junk, yet one piece of chocolate and it was like attack time.

Mine is closed because I would occasionally accidentally click "complete this entry" on my diary after lunch instead of after dinners (I do 2 evening meals, so after lunch I'm usually at like 500-600 calories), and then I would get nasty PMs from people, saying I was anorexic and that I should be ashamed of myself and that I wasn't welcome on the site.

Because I clicked a button too early.

So the heck with that, diary's private now.

hmm.. I click completed for the day too around lunch time... I like that feature because it shows "this is what you will be if you don't eat"... so since I'm looking to bulk up, it's a motivator for me to eat more...

I guess if you are trying to lose weight, this can mess with ones mind... calorie intake is important..

Mine was private when I was on MFP last year. Figured it was better to have it open now.

Mine is open, but-

Not everyone is gonna agree with what you eat (clean v. processed), macro settings, the amount you eat (to much, to little), tracking nutrients (sodium, sugar), when you eat (folks who want to skip breakfast, no snacks, ect), what you drink, how much you drink, you getting the idea yet? And there are those that will continually hound you about what you choose to do compared to what they are doing (they're way is always the RIGHT way).

Better to find people that have the same mind set as yourself (whatever that may be), friend them and share with them only~

There is a notes section in your diary. I have some people on my friend's list who use the notes section to track pesonal things or thoughts they might have so they keep their diaries closed.

In the end, the diary is first and foremost for you. I choose to have mine open because I don't have personal notes in there and don't mind other people looking because it doesn't affect me if they do.

It's all about personal preference. Live and let live.

Strangely enough when I opened mine up I suddenly became less diligent about logging. Not sure why - it wasn't like I was eating embarrassing stuff and therefore didn't want to log it. I just...I don't know...wasn't as good about it. So, I closed mine again. Maybe once I get in a really good rhythm I'll open it back up again and see what happens.

this is my thing...it's not that anyone ever says anything negative, because most people are here and nice. But I just don't put in what I eat if it's bad if my diary is open. I tend to be pretty (ok VERY) private anyway, and since I have had such a terrible time with food I prefer to just keep it closed, that way I can be honest with myself which is the most important