Why Hide Your Profile / Diary?!

AimersBee
AimersBee Posts: 775 Member
edited 3:17AM in Motivation and Support
Why do so many people hide their profile and food diary?

When I see things like "I lose 1-2 lbs a week and I'm eating this many colories, etc".. then I click on their page and nope, can't see what their stats are to compare myself.. or to see what they're eating to get ideas of how healthy they are eating to also compare...

:sad:
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Replies

  • stfuriada
    stfuriada Posts: 445 Member
    I don't see the need to share.

    That said, I also don't ask why I'm losing weight or what I'm doing wrong. There's no reason for anyone to look at mine other than myself.
  • AimersBee
    AimersBee Posts: 775 Member
    I don't see the need to share.

    That said, I also don't ask why I'm losing weight or what I'm doing wrong. There's no reason for anyone to look at mine other than myself.

    I just find it's so helpful to get ideas of how to lose weight by being able to compare or get ideas on what they're eating.. I'm not trying to stalk.. haha
  • stfuriada
    stfuriada Posts: 445 Member
    I guess that's when people ask to be friends or something.

    I'm sure lots of people are willing to be friends and share their tips/diary stuff. Just post up in one of those "WANNA BE FRIENDS??" topics.
  • AimersBee
    AimersBee Posts: 775 Member
    I guess that's when people ask to be friends or something.

    I'm sure lots of people are willing to be friends and share their tips/diary stuff. Just post up in one of those "WANNA BE FRIENDS??" topics.

    Yeah, but at the same time, everytime I see someone doing well, or a success story I don't want that to add up to 100's of friends, it'd be nice to be able to check quickly see what they're doing, and be on my marry way :drinker:
  • flobeedoodle
    flobeedoodle Posts: 176 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/jfrog123/view/why-my-mfp-diary-is-private-227790

    This person said it better than I could have.
  • AimersBee
    AimersBee Posts: 775 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/jfrog123/view/why-my-mfp-diary-is-private-227790

    This person said it better than I could have.

    Hmm yeah makes sense, I'm wondering if that is the same reason for all though. Wouldn't mind hearing other points of view from those who hide their diary due to other reasons. Thanks.
  • Bilbobradshaw
    Bilbobradshaw Posts: 79 Member
    I originally had mine on private (and maybe still do? I don't remember how to change the settings anymore) because I feel shy about wanting to lose a couple pounds--it makes me feel like some bimbo stereotype, and I don't really fancy that. If any of my things are private, it's mostly to stop people who I know (lots of people I know use this site) from seeing everything I eat.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,327 Member
    There are a LOT of people on here. If you cant see someone's diary, move on to another one. :)
  • momof2winsplus
    momof2winsplus Posts: 137 Member
    Most don't "hide" their diaries. The default when you join is Private. You have to intentionally open it. Most people don't know that it is something that need to do.
  • artbkward
    artbkward Posts: 238 Member
    I have no problem with people keeping them private, however I think it's strange when someone starts a forum topic asking for help yet has a private diary. Typically the first few comments will encourage them to open it, yet they still don't.
  • devonette
    devonette Posts: 263 Member
    Most don't "hide" their diaries. The default when you join is Private. You have to intentionally open it. Most people don't know that it is something that need to do.

    This is probably the reason in most cases when people are asking for help. I've had people tell me their diaries were open, yet they really weren't. They could see it, and they knew their friends could see it, so they assumed everyone could see it.

    And a reason many people keep them closed, or have returned them to being closed is because when they open them to ask for help, quite often the people commenting seem to be harshly criticizing their poorer food choices (rather than gently advising them), making snide remarks, or trying to convince them of extreme food and exercise changes that scare them away.
  • spikefoot
    spikefoot Posts: 419
    Mine is open to friends

    Not like the info is that private but I don't see much benefit to me for having it open beyond that.
  • SarahK2710
    SarahK2710 Posts: 9
    I keep mine hidden because I'm here for emotional and intellectual/mental support, not 'physical' support. If I gain a pound here or there, I know it's because I'm eating bad things or not working hard enough, that's obvious.
  • GasMasterFlash
    GasMasterFlash Posts: 2,206 Member
    Lots and lots of nudity and naughty food.
  • FrugalMomsRock75
    FrugalMomsRock75 Posts: 698 Member
    Mine is open for my friends but not to just anyone. Too many "diary police" on this site...
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    I share openly with my friends... but there are some seriously creepy people on MFP! I don't want just anyone lurking through my information.
  • TheFitHooker
    TheFitHooker Posts: 3,357 Member
    I have mine only opened to my friends, because I don't care to get advice from people not on my list, that said I don't turn down friend requests either. I just do it that way cus its how I wish to do it.
  • njgal35
    njgal35 Posts: 28
    i am newbie - how do you open your food diary. I would love some constructive criticism
  • shelbynicole32
    shelbynicole32 Posts: 179 Member
    Most don't "hide" their diaries. The default when you join is Private. You have to intentionally open it. Most people don't know that it is something that need to do.

    Yep, and this just reminded me to go and look to see what mine was set at and sure enough it was at private... it is now open because of this!
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I lost 29 pounds.. and people ask me, how did you do it, whats your secret.. and I tell them, but I also warn them, what worked for me,won't necessarily work for you.. so don't get disappointed if it doesn't.

    The second part to that second sentence is key.. the person you are busy admiring is different then you... so it may or may not matter in the long run if you can compare or not.
  • WildcatMom82
    WildcatMom82 Posts: 564 Member
    I believe mine is open to friends only - my deal is I count calories, but I don't eat all that clean. I don't need people judging the types of food I eat, I used to eat 10x worse and still lost 75 lbs. Like someone else said, too, I don't ask why I'm not losing weight or for tips, I know what I'm doing and don't want unsolicited advice. I don't mind sharing with my friends, though, I've exchanged a lot of recipes over the years.
  • HollywoodDJ
    HollywoodDJ Posts: 296
    Weight and issues with weight and eating and issues with eating are extremely personal....and not everyone that starts this is the most secure person....We all have our own issues....It took me a while to open my diary up to my friends and when I did I freaked out...I wasn't doing good after that so I made it private again until I was totally comfortable. I sometimes still struggle with it but it's better now....I am not eating to impress my friends....I am not showing off how good or bad I have done...I do it to give them ideas of what to eat and what not to eat...but it is a scary thing being vulnerable to comments.....even from so-called friends on here....

    Hope that my response maybe helped!
  • EDesq
    EDesq Posts: 1,527 Member
    Why do so many people hide their profile and food diary?

    When I see things like "I lose 1-2 lbs a week and I'm eating this many colories, etc".. then I click on their page and nope, can't see what their stats are to compare myself.. or to see what they're eating to get ideas of how healthy they are eating to also compare...

    :sad:


    Because to Me, opening one's Diary and/or Profile is an Invitation for Comments, reactions... I have been on MFP and Other Message Boards for a while, and I have learned that you ONLY share what you want Exposed to others, MOST people are NOT "Friendly" in their assessments and judgements so I do not need that. This Journey called LIFE is Difficult enough in and of Itself, so I do not need EXCESS CHATTER. Actually, Wt Loss, Maintenance and Good Health are VERY Personal to Me. I have NO Magic Bullet for anyone to follow, so if someone asks what I am doing I MAY Share, but otherwise I don't leave Myself open to anyone's opinion of My Personal Choices.
  • nicholettebell
    nicholettebell Posts: 414
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/jfrog123/view/why-my-mfp-diary-is-private-227790

    This person said it better than I could have.

    Wow. I knew that I was really uncomfortable with an open diary because I just thought that it was so weird to have people comment on what I was eating. But I was generally doing the same as the blogger - lying on the diary. I also am a former closet eater and found that if I keep my diary private then I am honest about what I eat and log in. But I never seen it put in the way she did. That was wonderful for me to read.

    Edited to add that I also now keep the notification of completing my diary off the news feed. I don't want people commenting "Way to go" if they see I am under calorie goal or "Tomorrow's another day" if I am not.
  • cranberrycat
    cranberrycat Posts: 233 Member
    I am honestly not sure if mine is open or private, never changed the setting. However, I would prefer that it is private, even if I do ask for help. The reason is that most people are only going to look at a day or so of journal entries and then judge me by the small amount of days that they look at, rather than taking into account that a week prior may have looked a lot differently.

    Also, I don't want people just peering at my journal randomly. Privacy is privacy and I open my diary for my friends, not for someone whom I don't know.
  • Astroduckula
    Astroduckula Posts: 70
    I chose to have my diary viewable to only my MFP friends, I don't like uber nosey people so if you're that interested in what I'm eating you can make friends with me first.
  • lifeinpink09
    lifeinpink09 Posts: 87 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/jfrog123/view/why-my-mfp-diary-is-private-227790

    This person said it better than I could have.

    That's pretty much exactly why my diary is private. I'm working on my messy relationship with food however some days I have massive binges and other days I don't eat at all and I don't need everyone seeing and commenting on it as if I don't realize it's a problem.

    Just makes things better for me.
  • Astroduckula
    Astroduckula Posts: 70
    I share openly with my friends... but there are some seriously creepy people on MFP! I don't want just anyone lurking through my information.

    I agree with the on creep factor... I've met a few myself on here :grumble:
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    And a reason many people keep them closed, or have returned them to being closed is because when they open them to ask for help, quite often the people commenting seem to be harshly criticizing their poorer food choices (rather than gently advising them), making snide remarks, or trying to convince them of extreme food and exercise changes that scare them away.

    Yep. There are people out there who will read a complete stranger's diary and start criticizing it whether or not they're asking for help.

    I'm not talking about the 'why can't I lose' threads but other random threads.
  • reese66
    reese66 Posts: 2,920 Member
    Many people keep their dairies closed because some people tend to think that the way they do things is the way everyone else should do things you have the meat vs non meat eaters, the clean vs not so clean eaters, people that don't eat after a certain time the list goes on and on. Some people just like to look into someone else diary and the tear them down for choices that they make. Some people goes as far as posting someone else diary and calling them out by name.

    Someone's diary does not need to be open to get inspiration, if someone is having lack of ideas then they should ask for some.
    Nor does it need to be open to assist them unless the specifically ask what is wrong with my diary or something to that effect.

    Just my two cents.
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