Big motivating factor: Before and After Pictures!

RatBoyGL

When I went for my checkup last November and my doctor told me my cholesterol was high (Not in the really bad zone, but higher than it should be), at THIRTY EIGHT, I was like "Ut oh, it's time to do something before it's too late."

It was then that I started reading reviews of calorie trackers, diets, what to eat. I actually was researching how many calories get burned while doing crunches one day. (Not many by the way, unless you can do crunches for long periods of time.) When researching this, I found a blog about it, and one of the comments from a reader actually said "I am not sure, but I use MyFitnessPal to track all of that stuff.

So I came to this site, and the journey began.

After looking around a bit at the site, I found very quickly that before and after pictures are very popular. That being said, I still wasn't at sure at first, but decided to take one any way. So I simply took one side view, no shirt, of my gut. Obviously, it repulsed me a bit considering I am a former Marine who used to be in pretty good shape.

Well, fast forward from then to now. It is 45 days later and I am 15 pounds lighter. Yet, still, I felt like I wasn't looking any different at all even though virtually EVERYONE around me was telling me they could see it already and not just in my face.

Well, since my camera lens survived the first picture without cracking ( :laugh: ) , I decided to take another side picture just like the first one. Obviously I then brought them both up on my screen side by side.

The "EVERYONE around me" were right, I was wrong, nuff said.

The pictures prove it.

So if the reason you started trying to lose is not motivating you enough, I suggest pictures. They are very good motivators because you can really SEE the transformation. Don't be afraid. Your camera will survive if mine did.

Thanks for reading and good luck everyone! :happy:

deannar417

WOW I think I was suppose to find your post. I actually just took 3 pics myself for that same reason but I deleted them off my phone cuz I looked yucky and ugly.:embarassed: I want to see the before and after but didnt as of now want to see the NOW :brokenheart: . Thank you for posting this. I will go and retake them after all. Have a great day. :flowerforyou:

RatBoyGL

WOW I think I was suppose to find your post. I actually just took 3 pics myself for that same reason but I deleted them off my phone cuz I looked yucky and ugly.:embarassed: I want to see the before and after but didnt as of now want to see the NOW :brokenheart: . Thank you for posting this. I will go and retake them after all. Have a great day. :flowerforyou:

Yup, that is how I felt as well. I did not want to have any photographic evidence of THIS.

But they are having a motivating effect on me by reminding me every day of why I want this more than anything in the world right now.

And you're welcome by the way! I was worried my post was going to sound like drivel. :laugh:

mexiana

I'm mad at myself for not taking 'before' pictures. I have from the front and side for 15 lbs. and 25. lbs. gone though. Uh Rah... where were you stationed? I grew up in Jacksonville NC (still here) My dad was in for 20

I am still waiting for someone who doesn't know that I'm losing weight to say something, like you I'm not believing everyone who KNOWS I'm trying to lose it! However, those pictures REALLY helped! You can see it, but even better than that, you can feel it too

deannar417

Nope thanks alot for posting........This is why I'm here. Bout the time I give up someone either says somthing to me or post something. It's just crazy how it all comes together on here. :happy:

qtpiesmom

Its funny I dont live by a scale I dont own one and probably wont. I have taken the start of my journey pictures and maybe every month Ill take more because I believe a picture speaks a thousand words
Good for you seeing your transformation CONGRADS

RatBoyGL

Uh Rah... where were you stationed? I grew up in Jacksonville NC (still here)

My primary duty stations were Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and El Toro, California. Yes, I know, such misery. :laugh:

I also did a 6 month UDP in Iwakuni Japan. (Lord, please look in on those folks over there. They need all the help they can get.)

My dad was in for 20

Tell him I said Semper Fi!

LeAnn_Mae

I totally agree! I took a before picture before I started the 30 Day Shred. I was pretty sure I wouldn't see a difference after the end of 30 days (today is day 21). But for the heck of it I decided to take another picture today and compared them. I saw a difference! I was completely amazed! It wasn't a HUGE difference but it was unmistakable. I too am a big supporter of before and after pictures!