Are "before" pictures worth taking?

24

Replies

  • SNLover87
    SNLover87 Posts: 101 Member
    Yes. 100% yes. They're great to look at when you're frustrated or needing motivation.
  • MzManiak
    MzManiak Posts: 1,361 Member
    I use Photogrid. Or InstaCollage (which allows you to type the dates on the pictures)
  • bookworm_847
    bookworm_847 Posts: 1,903 Member
    Yes! I was too embarrassed and discouraged to take before pictures, but now I wish I would have just so I can see how far I've come.
  • cateyedkp
    cateyedkp Posts: 70 Member
    Um.. YES! Because there WILL be days when you're frustrated, ready to give up, just see absolutely "no change" in the mirror... and someone will suggest taking progress pics. You won't want to do it, of course, because you just "know" you haven't made any progress an d this is just a big fat waste of your time... Do it anyway and you'll be surprised and find the motivation to keep going.

    This, this, a thousand times this! I had a big stall on the scale, and was totally baffled. In those weeks I increased my training (started Body Revolution and upped my running) so I was quite depressed that the scale basically stopped moving. I only lost "2 lbs" in that amount of time, but this was the visual difference:
    9693190791_9338a88cb7_z.jpg

    Mad me feel WAY better and keep my motivation up.
  • igotabulletproofheart
    igotabulletproofheart Posts: 104 Member
    Only if you want to.

    I'm not one to take pictures but I have got before pictures for my current journey so that after my final 20lb loss, I can look back and think WOW! and admire my hard work. :happy: I don't like looking at pictures of myself so I don't use the picture as motivation because it just makes me feel bad about myself so I've really only got it to compare to the after picture. :D
  • GorillaNJ
    GorillaNJ Posts: 4,024 Member
    If you do not take them you will be searching for something to show where you started...
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I've never really taken "before" pictures prior to beginning a weight loss push/journey. From experience, does anyone find it really helpful or motivating to have before and after pictures? Has anyone been really disappointed?

    I'm just looking for some way to really track my progress that isn't subjective, but I'm not really one to take pictures.

    it is VERY important to take before pictures. The scale lies, and you can measure wrong, and look like you have not made ANY progress.

    this is me in 2009. I weighed about 195lbs. I know I was between 199lbs and 188lbs.
    8193374926_e25182cc2b.jpg
    0120100909 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    this is me in November of last year, same shirt, `196lbs.
    8211731868_5394684d1d.jpg
    IMG00856-20121123-0837 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    this is me in March and April of this year, 195lbs. same shirt.
    8681875038_8398899acd.jpg
    march and april 2013 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    the scale barely moves, despite busting my butt in the gym 4-5 days a week. I measured too snugly about a year ago, so it looks like I am not losing inches either. I haven't lost a clothing size in 15 months...but my pictures show that I am DEFINITELY making progress.
  • brillmer
    brillmer Posts: 1,268 Member
    exFfp1i.jpg?1?2065

    hell yes.

    they are the only thing that allowed me to actually SEE my progression. your mind plays tricks on you, pictures do not.
  • Lala041185
    Lala041185 Posts: 42 Member
    ABSOUTLY!!!! I have tried to loose weight off and on for years and this time around I took pictures this time for my own personal reference. I don't see a change in the mirror but the pictures have a slight change. It really helps on days where I feel like I am not doing good.
  • YogaNikki
    YogaNikki Posts: 284 Member
    I don't know........ You tell me???

    B4andafter.jpg


    OP Yes before Pictures are important.... I keep a picture of that guy on the tractor on my visor in my truck and every time I go to the gym or to the park to workout I can see just how far I have come....

    Best of Luck

    You kick *kitten*. That is all.
  • USMCnetty90
    USMCnetty90 Posts: 277 Member
    ABSOLUTELY - that way you can see how far you have come!!!!
    I take pictures every thirty days - I wear my goal bikini - I dont see a tremendous amount of difference right now - but feel it when i wear my clothes!!!!
    You dont have to share your pictures - but you will be glad you took them down the road!
  • amagus
    amagus Posts: 71 Member
    Not only does it motivate me, I use photo shop to create an ongoing ticker collage.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    YES! I wish I had more.

    Also, most cameras have self-timers. You don't need to ask anyone to take your photo. Just prop it up on a tripod or a dresser across the room, and no one else ever needs to see them unless you want to show them.
  • USMCnetty90
    USMCnetty90 Posts: 277 Member
    Most definitely. There are even a couple apps that will allow to you to take pics and setup a side-by-side montage to best visualize progress.



    I use moldiv and I love it - i have an iphone
  • candykay0605
    candykay0605 Posts: 1,019 Member
    Hell yea it is!!!!!!!!!
  • tomich54
    tomich54 Posts: 99 Member
    I say yes - I have a special folder on my iphone where I keep them in progression. It's like looking through a flip book from start to current! :laugh:
  • Koldnomore
    Koldnomore Posts: 1,613 Member
    Thus far I have taken pictures about every 10 lbs lost. My boyfriend was looking at some pictures from our first trip to Europe a couple of years ago (just before I joined MFP) and he was stunned at how different I looked. When you see yourself every day it's tough to see changes sometimes but you can't miss it when you look at pictures.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    I didn't take before pictures. Now I wish I had.

    What's the harm in taking them - you can delete them later on if you don't want them. It's hard to get them back though, if you never take them in the first place.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    They have definitely helped me on my journey so far. Whenever I get frustrated I just look at my first pic and my current one and realize I've come a looooong way and to stay course to my goal. I keep them on my phone for those days I just don't feel like I can do it. I will say I did take the pics but I didn't really start paying attention to them until after about 6 months.

    A small example, a bit over a years progress:

    First:
    2z9i5vm.jpg

    and Current:
    25kmu1j.jpg
  • ssyer
    ssyer Posts: 19 Member
    Yes you must take photos or you will regret it, I lost 84 pounds altogether I wish I had more photos when I was bigger.
  • dlibonati
    dlibonati Posts: 99 Member
    I've never really taken "before" pictures prior to beginning a weight loss push/journey. From experience, does anyone find it really helpful or motivating to have before and after pictures? Has anyone been really disappointed?

    I'm just looking for some way to really track my progress that isn't subjective, but I'm not really one to take pictures.

    Absolutely! I did a front/side/back one wearing the same outfit and it's hugely motivating. Areas come off differently for people and it's nice to see even the small changes, ie less overhang on the shorts or that pesky backfat disapeering!
  • sunflwrgrl412
    sunflwrgrl412 Posts: 130 Member
    THIS is my biggest regret! I never did either and I am so mad at myself. I wish I would have taken measurements too!
  • Ibleedlipstick
    Ibleedlipstick Posts: 33 Member
    They have been worth taking for me! I've lost about 25lbs in the past two months, and I can't see it in the mirror yet. I can still wear most of my clothes, and no one else has really noticed that I've lost weight. However, when I put the photos side-by-side I can see major improvement, and that is what helps me step away from the Swedish Fish after dinner.
  • mcjmommy
    mcjmommy Posts: 148 Member
    take them! even if you don't ever let anyone else see them, you can look back at yourself and be amazed :)
  • BranMuffin86
    BranMuffin86 Posts: 314 Member
    I find it VERY motivating. Since I'm not going for a specific weight I base most things off the pics. I take new pics every month. Pictures catch the changes that you may not notice. I find it almost essential.
  • Hunnib23
    Hunnib23 Posts: 61 Member
    YES! Not only is it motivating, but there are times when I have felt like I was making NO progress. I would take a couple of pics to compare to my befores and see the changes I couldn't just by looking in the mirror.
  • jmath911
    jmath911 Posts: 57 Member
    I
  • towens00
    towens00 Posts: 1,033 Member
    I don't know........ You tell me???

    B4andafter.jpg


    OP Yes before Pictures are important.... I keep a picture of that guy on the tractor on my visor in my truck and every time I go to the gym or to the park to workout I can see just how far I have come....

    Best of Luck


    ED, wow man. Incredible. You are just an inspiration to life. I vote you for MFP mayor!!!

    He's got my vote, awesome job!!
  • Twright0386
    Twright0386 Posts: 12 Member
    No doubt take progress pics, this was the change in 3 months time that I had. Had lost about 40 lbs at this point. Was astonished by the change.

    d12u.jpg
  • FatOldBat
    FatOldBat Posts: 3,307 Member
    Why not just take a pic and put it where you don't have to see it? Then, when you've reached your goal you may be very happy to have the 'evidence'. Otherwise, well, you've got zip.

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