How do you feel about fitness-related social networking?

Contributor: marrythenight marrythenight
I'm a social networking addict: tumblr, facebook, twitter, instagram, myfitnesspal, flickr.... you name it, I've probably used it. My latest addiction is a site called fitocracy, and it works as a workout log meets gaming (you get points for activities, level up, and can even challenge other users!) meets facebook. Oh, and it's also an iphone app (I'm not affliated nor trying to advertise, I just really like it!). I personally love it and like being able to ask questions to other fitness junkies and see their workouts, but years ago, having social networking apps and sites focused solely on tracking fitness and weight loss was unheard of.

Which leads me to my question:

Do you/would you use a social networking fitness site, like fitocracy (or myfitnesspal, sparkpeople, fleetly, etc)? Do you mix social networking/the internetz and your fitness goals? Or do you prefer to keep it more of a private thing?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
I'm down with mixing my social networking and health goals, and I invite all my friends and family to help encourage me! I even tweet, facebook, and instagram from the gym!
Frun , Lickable Lollie
2  (6%)
I'm down with fitness social networking sites and apps. I just add very few or none of my IRL friends. I like having encouragement, but not the audience of ALL my closest and not-so-close friends and family.
marrythenight , Noelle , SassySam , LikeSunshineDust , Miss Morphine , worlds2explore
6  (17%)
I may use an app/site or two, but I only use it to track, not for the community. I have few to no people added on it/them.
Owl , OhMy! , ghalik , sodapin , Taylor , amenti , jr2012 , TransMarc
8  (23%)
I keep my fitness completely off the web and log it old school--journal, excel file, etc.
Ghost , treefrog88 , Kenneth Fort
3  (9%)
Keeping track of workouts and calories? Pshhhh.
PeaceToTheMiddleEast , DeliciousSurprise , MistressDandelion , ksparkles16 , bayosgirl , mistressg , GONE! , K101 , darthkitt3n , unfulfilled , FHeemz , amplified to rock , SoloJoe , sexxxkitten , Geogeo , happymonday
16  (46%)
Total votes: 35
Poll is closed
06/19/2012
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Contributor: ksparkles16 ksparkles16
I don't but I should!
06/20/2012
Contributor: ghalik ghalik
I use RunKeeper, but I don't use the social part besides looking at other people's routes. I used Hubub Health for a while but then the challenges got boring.
06/20/2012
Contributor: marrythenight marrythenight
Quote:
Originally posted by ghalik
I use RunKeeper, but I don't use the social part besides looking at other people's routes. I used Hubub Health for a while but then the challenges got boring.
I use runkeeper to track my runs, totally forgot about it! But it's a fantastic app! I've never heard of hubub health.
06/20/2012
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by marrythenight
I'm a social networking addict: tumblr, facebook, twitter, instagram, myfitnesspal, flickr.... you name it, I've probably used it. My latest addiction is a site called fitocracy, and it works as a workout log meets gaming (you get points for ... more
I need the other category. I am learning to love working out but I don't want to be scheduled beyond "hey this is fun and it's happening NOW!" Right now I river walk and swim. My body is out of shape and the water makes exercising much more forgiving.
06/20/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
I workout--mostly on my fitness pole and occasionally walking the track when I actually get time, playing volleyball and tennis, swimming. I've never needed some App or anything to keep up. I actually like doing it without all that stuff. It's just useless for me. I also am firmly against counting my calories. LOL. I eat what I like. I don't deprive myself in that area. I don't go wild, but I'm going to have my Dr. Pepper and chocolate here and thre. I'm extremely health conscious though. Hell, I eat eggshells and aloe vera! Lol. But the whole fitness magazines and websites are balogney to me. It just gives that fake, you have to fit into society's idea of beauty that I totally hate. That's the big reason I do it all on my own. I don't want to go putting negative ideas in my head. Sure, having buddies and encouragement is fabulous, but I feel using that type of "app" could easily put me in a negative mind set. That's just me though. I like to keep it simple. I'm not going to spend time tracking my eating when I could be having fun. I know I eat well, probably not enough, but I do good.
06/20/2012
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I don't calorie count at all. That'd drive me crazy.
06/20/2012
Contributor: marrythenight marrythenight
Quote:
Originally posted by unfulfilled
I don't calorie count at all. That'd drive me crazy.
I've honestly stopped (was using myfitnesspal), but for a couple months it helped me learn portion control. Also, when I do, it's to make sure I'm eating a good ratio of protein, carbs, and fat, and I just try to ignore the calorie counting aspect but just track nutrition. It does work to lose weight but on a long term scale I think it's obsessive.
06/21/2012
Contributor: sodapin sodapin
I used fitocracy for a while, but got bored of it. Now I just frequent bodybuilding sites to look for tips and motivation from others. Tumblr is fun for light reading and visual motivation as well though .
07/11/2012
Contributor: Frun Frun
I should...
07/11/2012
Contributor: Kenneth Fort Kenneth Fort
I just don't think that's an interesting thing to talk about. It's more something I do when I'm by myself.
09/30/2012
Contributor: SoloJoe SoloJoe
its all on me
10/16/2012
Contributor: sexxxkitten sexxxkitten
I don't use social media for this.
10/16/2012
Contributor: SassySam SassySam
I'm on spark people, it's been really helpful for me, but I don't involve people in real life, because they just tell me I don't need to lose weight and that it's shallow to be concerned about my looks and health.
11/09/2012
Contributor: LikeSunshineDust LikeSunshineDust
I've been using MyFitnessPal for a while but don't have any IRL friends there. I made a Fitocracy account but haven't used it... The app confused me but I'd like to take another look at it (the "game" aspect intrigues me).
02/10/2013
Contributor: jr2012 jr2012
I do track my calories/workouts online, but I have it all locked down to private.

For some reason, I still feel a lot of shame about my weight and don't want others to know about it. It's totally self-consciousness though, I mean what kind of friend wouldn't be supportive of a chubby girl working out? Maybe I should work on it.
02/10/2013
Contributor: Geogeo Geogeo
Quote:
Originally posted by marrythenight
I'm a social networking addict: tumblr, facebook, twitter, instagram, myfitnesspal, flickr.... you name it, I've probably used it. My latest addiction is a site called fitocracy, and it works as a workout log meets gaming (you get points for ... more
It's not for me
02/10/2013
Contributor: happymonday happymonday
With all these great fitness posts on social media, there are also really horrible ones. Tumblr has many pro-ana and pro-mia sites.
04/11/2013