DON'T "Just Do It"

mfpcopine

Occasionally in these threads I will see a response of "Just Do It." I'm always tempted to respond:

"Don't you think the person who requested help would have done that if it were really so simple for him or her? This IS, after all, a support thread."

Everyone has different problems and needs. If we don't have something constructive (which will not always be positive and warm-and-fuzzy) to say, it's better to say nothing than "Just Do It."

therealangd

Edited to remove my stupid post because I clearly wasn't talking about the same thing. :P

LiddyBit

Well, I think for some people, having someone say "JUST DO IT" is motivating.

thelovelyLIZ

While it's not always that simple, sometimes just doing it really IS what you have to do. I see people asking for motivation a lot. I can't give them motivation. They have to get up and do it. Do or do not, am I right?

Nerdy_Rose

Sometimes that's the only answer there is. Motivation is not magical, and you can't manufacture it, or get it from other people, as much as we'd like to. You find the willpower inside yourself to do something, not from outside sources.

LorinaLynn

But honestly, that's what it comes down to. Suck it up. Power through it. Push yourself beyond what's comfortable. Personal responsibility.

Of course it's not easy and not a solution. No words will be. No words are going to make someone not eat an entire carton of ice cream unless they want to not eat the entire carton of ice cream.

Beastette

I like to do it. DO EET.

parys1

I like to do it. DO EET.

Yes. It is awesome.

4thehardman

To some people 'Just do it' is supportive. In text it is hard to tell the way a sentence is intended to be read. Perhaps if you don't like it you could offer that person your own constructive advice? Either way, I'd rather be told to 'just do it' than be ignored.

lukeout007

I agree and disagree...

For me personally telling me to "Just Do It" when I'm in a good frame of mind would have just made me go "hell yeah!"....but telling me to "Just Do It" anytime over the last couple weeks when I was struggling to stay motivated would have just pissed me off...

So I guess either way it wouldn't really have any positive effect...

keyboardwench

I'm not really of the "just do it" thing either, especially in a support thread.

It's like to me the person couldn't even think of something creative or personally tailored to the person's issue to say, they're just copying some logo of a big name in sports and hoping that comes off as inspiration and also raising their post count. But that's my feeling on it... mainly I feel that way because I'm not a fan of Nike at all.

Yes, there is an element of how in the end you do just have to do it but I don't think that's going to help much to a person just starting or struggle with problems. They need a little more and eventually the push should come from within. A lot of the time, they need more information (perhaps on form, wondering if others are staring at them if the go into the weights area) and ask for help because they need a tiny bit of reassurance. Nothing wrong with that.

Not everyone can just do it. Each person has their own style, even those who like the just do it thing. Whatever works for the person, I guess, but if they seem to be asking for a little more support then 'just do it' then that should be what people aim to give them.

jennkain97

I agree. I want to reach out and (virtually) strangle those folks who say that. If it really were that simple, none of us would need MFP in the first place. Another pet peeve: when people respond to a post w/o having actually read it. For example, telling someone who has stated that they recently had surgery that they need to increase their cardio intensity. Honestly folks, if you don't have any GOOD advice to give, please just don't say anything at all.

mfpcopine

But honestly, that's what it comes down to. Suck it up. Power through it. Push yourself beyond what's comfortable. Personal responsibility.

Of course it's not easy and not a solution. No words will be. No words are going to make someone not eat an entire carton of ice cream unless they want to not eat the entire carton of ice cream.

If they've come to this forum they probably need a strategy for how to avoid eating that carton of ice cream. Maybe they shouldn't buy it. Maybe they should put it in a separate freezer. Maybe they should switch to low-fat sherbert. They are looking for advice more fleshed-out than "Just Do It," "Suck It Up," "Power Through It," or "Buck Up."

Are you telling me that you don't have things in your life whose solution intellectually are not that difficult, but about which you balk for some reason? Most people have something. Doesn't have to be dieting or exercise.

lukeout007

It's really the same idea as someone saying "Just quit smoking" or "Just stop biting your nails"

Both of these things are things I heard forever...and while I did "just quit smoking" eventually it took me a couple tries...and I'm still working on the nail biting. It's not as easy as everyone thinks...and a lot of the times the people saying "just do it" are the people who haven't been in the same situation...they've never smoked or bit their nails or lost all motivation for losing weight...

utahgirl247

I totally get what your saying and yet how many times have we told ourselves, "come on _____, just do it!" ?? It happens frequently don't you think? I am not sure that the one who posted that remark meant it in the way that some take it.

Sometimes the 'written word' w/o being able to hear the voice, its fluxation etc. skews the motive. Just sayin`

Happy Saturday everyone!!

steph124ny

I think sometimes people seeking motivation from outside sources are really sort of using it as an excuse. I hope that makes sense. It's like people who are emotional eaters. Of course it is important to get to the bottom of it all....but at the same time, they have to Just Do It at the same time. I have a good friend who has gone to Overeaters Anonymous for YEARS but has yet to lose a single pound because the emotional eating thing has somehow turned into an excuse to continue on with what she has been doing her whole life. She needs to Just Do It already...

I don't mean to sound unsupportive. I really don't. But sometimes that is the only answer.

Nerdy_Rose

It's really the same idea as someone saying "Just quit smoking" or "Just stop biting your nails"

Both of these things are things I heard forever...and while I did "just quit smoking" eventually it took me a couple tries...and I'm still working on the nail biting. It's not as easy as everyone thinks...and a lot of the times the people saying "just do it" are the people who haven't been in the same situation...they've never smoked or bit their nails or lost all motivation for losing weight...

I bite my nails too. Have my whole life. I do want to stop.. but I don't want it THAT BAD. I wanted the weight loss that bad. If you want it bad enough, you do it. I mean... I care about biting my nails, but almost everything else in my life is more important to me. I hit a point where weight loss was pretty much my #1 priority and I wanted it more than I wanted ANYTHING ELSE. So I just did it.

mfpcopine

I agree. I want to reach out and (virtually) strangle those folks who say that. If it really were that simple, none of us would need MFP in the first place. Another pet peeve: when people respond to a post w/o having actually read it. For example, telling someone who has stated that they recently had surgery that they need to increase their cardio intensity. Honestly folks, if you don't have any GOOD advice to give, please just don't say anything at all.

Yes. Admittedly, we all get cranky from time to time. There are times when I feel like saying: "How hard is this? The information is out there. Make up your mind. Dedicate yourself." But then I remember that this IS hard for THIS person on THIS day or s/he wouldn't be asking so I move on if I can't say something helpful.

mfpcopine

I think sometimes people seeking motivation from outside sources are really sort of using it as an excuse. I hope that makes sense. It's like people who are emotional eaters. Of course it is important to get to the bottom of it all....but at the same time, they have to Just Do It at the same time. I have a good friend who has gone to Overeaters Anonymous for YEARS but has yet to lose a single pound because the emotional eating thing has somehow turned into an excuse to continue on with what she has been doing her whole life. She needs to Just Do It already...

I don't mean to sound unsupportive. I really don't. But sometimes that is the only answer.

I do know what you mean; some people seem to want attention, not information. But I like to think that realizing that even a few strangers do care makes a difference to them and gives them that little bit of energy that will help propel them forward.

Jezebel9

I actually do get motivation from other people. Maybe I have some magick skill or something, but when I ask for motivation from my friends, and they say I can do it and give positive feedback, it makes me want to come back and say, "I DID IT"
And I do.
Perhaps describing the actual steps you go through to 'just do it' might be helpful.
Because a lot happens (at least for me) between not doing and doing.

Thanks to the positive motivators out there. It helps, and I appreciate it.

MeMyCatsandI

Yep. Totally agree. 'Just do it' hits the same nerve with me as the following:
It's only water. It has no flavor. Just drink it.
Suck it up.
I like it, therefore YOU should like it too.
I do it, therefore you should do it too.
I like/do/eat it, therefore I don't understand why YOU can't /won't like it even though your entire post just listed reasons why you don't like it, are allergic to it, need alternatives to it, it's physically impossible for you, etc.

LorinaLynn

If they've come to this forum they probably need a strategy for how to avoid eating that carton of ice cream. Maybe they shouldn't buy it. Maybe they should put it in a separate freezer. Maybe they should switch to low-fat sherbert. They are looking for advice more fleshed-out than "Just Do It," "Suck It Up," "Power Through It," or "Buck Up."

Are you telling me that you don't have things in your life whose solution intellectually are not that difficult, but about which you balk for some reason? Most people have something. Doesn't have to be dieting or exercise.

Of course I do. I have depression and anxiety... there's been times in my life where getting out of bed was a struggle. And what I've learned is that all of it comes down to making a CHOICE. I could choose to let my diagnosis define me, or I could do something about it.

Anyone who has success - in weight loss or at anything else in life - got it because they chose to go for it. They made it happen. "Just do it" as an oversimplification, but at the same time... it really is that simple. Until someone is ready to make that choice, nothing else is going to work. You have to find your inner strength. If I could pinpoint to someone else exactly HOW to find that inner strength, I'd be one weathy mo-fo!

davidmcgowan1987

I guess it depends on what people mean by "it"

if they mean the process then yes... just do it...

if they mean the end result well then its just not that simple...

DrBorkBork

We had a Nike logo with "Just Do It" in my high school sex ed class. Amusing, but I was not amused.

tedwalsh

Actually, I think 'Just Do It!' doesn't have to have any association with a sports brand. It doesn't have to be a negative thing to say to someone who needs support either. If you find that someone saying 'Just Do It' to you is demotivating, or indeed "pisses you off", then you are the one who is responsible for your own demise. Just the fact that someone has said something to you, noticed that you need help or is prepared to spend time with you understanding your issues is the motivating factor, even if at the end of it all they say "Just Do It'. You just haven't seen the good in what they have done.

I have learned that the only thing standing in the way of my success is me. I'm sure there are others of you out there who understand and recognise all the excuses we have all made in the past as a reason for not having done something constructive to lose weight. It took me 35 years of having issues with my weight to understand this.

A colleague once told me that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone and I take so much inspiration from that. I have now lost 41lb since the end of January. My blood glucose is now at a normal level and I am not pre-diabetic anymore. My Cholesterol is within the normal range whereas before it was in the red zone. I have to continue my weight loss to be able to come off hypertension meds, and I intend to do it. I am enjoying feeling better, having fewer problems with mobility, looking better, wearing fashionable clothes and I want this to continue.

Guys, sometimes you just have to do it. It's a pain in the *kitten*, it's difficult, sometimes it's a lot easier and it all depends on your mood. But what is the alternative? Be overweight, unhealthy, unhappy and miserable again? Not for me thank you.

Stop getting in your own way and make a start.

ScottiePP7

Speaking for myself here and not anyone else...

Just Do It - its the only motivation that works for me. Someone telling me some magical day 12 months from now I will be at the weight at want to be it and all that time in the middle won't be that hard if you just rely on each other and think positive doesn't work for me.

What works for me is realizing the hard truth. It took me 30 years to get 100 pounds over weight, its not going to be easy to get 100 pounds lower in 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 30 years. The truth is, if this is something I want, I will have to bust my *kitten* day in and day out. If I don't want to each grilled chicken when everyone else has pizza then too bad. I shouldn't have had 5 slices when everyone had 2 at some random dinner 5 years ago. I went way too far down one path and now I need to give my all to going in the other direction. Can anyone give me good motivation to that?

I doubt it.

Sometimes you have to "just do it".

LCunkle83

It took a lot of crying in dressing rooms, ignoring myself in the mirror because I hated what I saw, and friends and my hubby pushing me to be "myself" again. In the last 2 years I have put on over 30 lbs... It was super depressing! .. about three weeks ago, I decided enough was enough and I just needed to get this weight off and be done with it. No more crash diets, no magic pills, just pure hard work and changing my eating habits!

I "just did it!!" will you?

Starting weight - 198lbs
Current weight - 186lbs
1st goal weight - 165lbs
2nd goal weight - 150lbs

ScottiePP7

I am adding this link, Im not sure if it deserves its own thread but this seems like a good spot for it. I use this for motivation but all it adds up to is "Just Do It"

Warning, it has some rough language so if that bothers you do not click on it. It's also designed for people who want to get shredded but I find the principles apply to me as well (currently 290, started at 335).

http://jasonferruggia.com/the-main-ingredient/

getwhatugive

Ummm, Get er dun! Accent mandatory

Missmissy0003

The phrase absolutely works for me. I can make up a million excuses of why I can't work out and often want to look to others for motivation. Being told to just do it seems to put it in a better perspective for me. And I have not been a fan of Nike for a long, long time.

Missmissy0003

Oops double posted