Is it that important to measure - photo your body?

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Dis3cruise
Dis3cruise Posts: 5 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I do weigh myself everyday (this keeps me on track) but just wondering how important is it to measure or photo yourself. If I was to measure what parts of the body should I do?

Replies

  • craek
    craek Posts: 201 Member
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    I guess it depends on what you want to do. I rely on photos and measurements more then I number on a scale. Pictures tell a thousand wards! You'd be amazed at the way you see yourself in a mirror then look at pictures and saw WOW, I really look good here.
  • Pandorian
    Pandorian Posts: 2,055 MFP Moderator
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    Measurements help when you're not seeing "Scale progress" but are tightening up.

    Chest, waist, upper arms, thighs.... See what measurements are indicated on MFP and add the ones you want. I wish I'd done my measurements when I was at my peak weight, I think I'm seeing huge progress in certain areas and not so much in others but it's all down to opinion since I didn't have measurements to go by.
  • slaos07
    slaos07 Posts: 53 Member
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    I wish I had asked this question when I first started and gotten this answer - YES! Maybe not important, but worthwhile, motivating, etc. I didn't measure until I was almost 2 months in. When i finally did measure, I know I've lost some inches, but I have no idea how many. It is a really good motivator when you aren't seeing the scale move, but you can see the inches shriking off. I also wish I had a head to toe starting photo. Ihave one from Christmas, but you can't see everything and I would LOVE to be able to compare a full-length picture, in the same outfit, now to see how far I've come. If I could go back and change anything about this journey thus far, it would be to do the measurements and pics on Day 1. Good Luck!
  • TheDeviation
    TheDeviation Posts: 149
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    I do weigh myself everyday (this keeps me on track) but just wondering how important is it to measure or photo yourself. If I was to measure what parts of the body should I do?
    I wouldn't weigh in everyday. Once a week at the most. That aside, take pictures of whatever parts you're trying to improve. You'll feel even better when you reach your goal.
  • kylakesgal
    kylakesgal Posts: 952 Member
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    Hi measuring is very important! Some weeks you may not show loss on the scales but lose many inches which is a huge victory. I weigh and measure weekly. I measure bust, waist, abdomen, hips, thighs and arms. Good luck to you:)
  • anitanz
    anitanz Posts: 72
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    Yeah I really wish I took a picture of myself in my bikini at the start. It is really hard to tell from the scale.. I think it would be great to take a picture at the start of each month. I haven't done that though!
  • AngiMoss
    AngiMoss Posts: 77
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    I never bothered measuring myself, but the last few weeks I have been working really hard & not seeing a lot of movement on the scale. So, I measured my neck, my waist, my hips, my upper arms and my thighs. Then measured again two weeks later. Despite only showing that I lost less than half a pound in two weeks, I noted that I lost 2 inches off of my waist, an inch off of my thighs, 1/2 inch of my neck, etc. So, it gave me that confidence boost that all my efforts weren't for nothing. Now I wish that I had taken them when I was at my biggest! The proof is in the pudding. Hmmmm.....pudding.
  • wysmom2000
    wysmom2000 Posts: 101 Member
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    I wish I would have had some "before" photos to look back on now. I don't even have a candid because I never wanted to have my picture taken looking as frumpy as I did. I regret that now. I can't show any of my new friends how far I've come because there is no proof. I did take measurements when I started my fitness journey back in June and am glad I did. I definitely recommend photos and measurements. You'll be glad you did in the end.
  • MrsMuffinRun
    MrsMuffinRun Posts: 93
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    I think it probably is a good idea. Before yesterday, I would have said no but I had a go at taking a profile shot of my belly (covered up thank you) and very difficult it was too to get the right angle to get the shot. But having succeeded, it confirmed what I suspected, that I look about 6 months' gone (and I'm not). I doubt I will want the photographic evidence later on though. If I get to my goal weight I will delete the pics and move on!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
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    Photos are great because you look at yourself every day and might not really appreciate the slow changes. I personally wasn't feeling great about where I'm at even though I'm halfway to goal because I've been stuck since November. However, just last week I went to visit my Dad and he had my picture up from Christmas 2009 and holy cow - what a difference!! That's definitely going to serve as my before picture!!

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