MyFitnessPal Journey

When I began this blog project, I chose My Fitness Pal because I already had some previous experience with a familiar type of website (WebMD Food-o-meter calorie counter).    I also chose this community because I am always looking for easy ways to keep track of my daily caloric intake. 

Now that I have spent some time logging into My Fitness Pal, explored the forums, the blogs, and the groups, I have found a community that isn't very active.  The likelihood of me returning to the site as an active member is highly unlikely.   In fact, I am most certain I will not be posting on walls or logging my daily calories/exercise.   Really the only thing it is good for is to look up calories.  I might continue to use that application on My Fitness Pal.  Also, on My Fitness Pal, you won't find very many new friends.  I suppose if you added friends and maybe coworkers or family members it might be more of an interactive experience.  

One thing I learned about web communities is that it definitely requires a time commitment to be an active member within the community.  What I mean by that is that you have to be willing to explore the site and to spend time reading blogs, and forums.  If you are not willing to make that time commitment, then a web community is not really for you.  It is almost as if you are immersing yourself into a brand new culture.  Unfortunately, what I found on My Fitness Pal was a community that was very inactive.  I tried joining a group and didn't get any feedback after introducing myself to the group.   Not only that, I only had two people respond to my initial introduction forum.  I actively tried to seek out members who had a lot in common such as age, and or goals, but again I had no luck.   Apparently another class member also had the same experience on My Fitness Pal.  She too mentioned that she did not find a very active community.

One interesting thing that I take away from this whole experience is that web communities can bring people together.  It is an interesting and unique way to meet people from all walks of life.  For example, you could meet someone from the other side of the world, or even someone in your own community.  I think it can help bring people together with common goals in mind.  Also, it can link you with other individuals who have the same lifestyle, same hobbies, or even those in the same age group.  For example, the group I chose to join was titled "Fit at forty."   

Moreover, what I learned from my entire experience is that a web community is designed to bring people together through the use of technology.