Motivation vs. Complacency - Where Do These Pictures Fall?

[Orange]

So, while I was on reddit today on the Get Motivated sub-reddit, I came across these motivational pictures which sparked quite the debate.





There was one more I can't link to because of language, but it was a similar message to these two.

Basically, the debate came from some feeling the pictures encouraged complacency and a lack of self-discipline, while others defended the pictures saying that they were realistic and would help those losing weight to look at the bigger picture instead of focusing purely on their goal.

What say you, FAN?

Now, admittedly I'm not the picture of self-discipline and incredible fitness, but it's something I've been working on for a while and I'm almost at my first goal of losing 14 pounds, so I'm of the opinion that these pictures are realistic and help people to see the bigger picture. Personally, I want to lose 30-40 pounds, but I set smaller goals for myself so I don't get disappointed when I only lose 2 pounds here and 3 pounds there and give up. Now, whether or not this goes back to lack of self-discipline I don't know, but I don't think the pictures are bad.

[Red Impact]

Motivational posters are like political bumper stickers. They're not there because they change anyone's mind, they're there because the person who put them up wants to simplify their point of view to a short phrase or sentence. No one who reads one will truly change their mind, and if they do, then they're probably so easy to convince that they'd change their mind again at the very next poster they see.

[Orange]

Nov 2, 2013 11:55:37 GMT -5 Red Impact said:

Motivational posters are like political bumper stickers. They're not there because they change anyone's mind, they're there because the person who put them up wants to simplify their point of view to a short phrase or sentence. No one who reads one will truly change their mind, and if they do, then they're probably so easy to convince that they'd change their mind again at the very next poster they see.

I suppose I can agree with the majority of that, but I do think that they can help people in a time of need, be that a fitness goal one is trying to accomplish or something of the existential crisis variety.

[Goldenbane]

The first poster, I can get behind. It's almost like some douche bag asshole Drill Sergeant wanna be wrote it first, then an intelligent dieting expert...maybe even one who had to lose a ton of weight her/himself...corrected the asshole's bullshit.

The second poster is completely stupid, and perhaps a tiny bit insulting.

[ICBM]

Why is the author an asshole exactly? For offering a motivational visual aide for someone to either use or not use? If it ain't foryou, than don't print it, share it or whatever. Relax bud, it ain't worth the anger

[Red Impact]

Nov 2, 2013 16:31:45 GMT -5 Orange said:

Nov 2, 2013 11:55:37 GMT -5 Red Impact said:

Motivational posters are like political bumper stickers. They're not there because they change anyone's mind, they're there because the person who put them up wants to simplify their point of view to a short phrase or sentence. No one who reads one will truly change their mind, and if they do, then they're probably so easy to convince that they'd change their mind again at the very next poster they see.

I suppose I can agree with the majority of that, but I do think that they can help people in a time of need, be that a fitness goal one is trying to accomplish or something of the existential crisis variety.

I just don't think anyone who isn't active already would get any benefit from a poster, and they already are active, so there's no point. I also see an awful trend in these "motivational" posters in just how many of them want to be inspirational, but are actually just bad advice that is more likely to get someone injured, or just discourage them, than to actually help them perform better. So if people make a habit of tampering with posters to present more realistic views, I'm all for it.