do pics of pretty people motitvate u

JoolieW68

No. I'm trying to be the best ME that I can be. I don't know what my genetics will do and life doesn't come with an autocorrect or photoshop.

AMEN!

RMuske

I think it is both encouraging and discouraging. Feels like a lot of those people must be going to extremes to get the body I admire which I am not willing to do. But it is encouraging that it I might be able to get close in a healthy way.

LoViNlIFe0225

Its all about personal preference, but for me I find it discouraging. I'm 5'3" and a bit pear shaped...most likely I will never look like girls in magazines...so I've made my journey as much about confidence and self acceptance as it is about weight loss and fitness. I would encourage people who use this motivation technique to use images of women that are like them in build. I could never use a picture of Heidi Clum as my motiviation because we are complete opposite body types so it could become discouraging because that goal will never be reached. The images I find most encouraging are the ones from highschool when I was 30 lbs heavier than now or the ones from 4-5 years ago when I was extremely lighter than I am now and unhealthy. Seeing what I look like at both extremes helps me stay motivated to be healthy and care for myself. My biggest struggle is my confidence...in fact...there are days that I actually feel physcially ill over the way I look (mind you, this is a self image problem...not how I view others in any way at all), so using images of women that would be considered extremely "hot" or "sexy" can be really hurtful to me because I constantly compare myself to others on a daily basis anyways.

All that being said...I think this journey is all about what tools are useful to YOU! If you find motivation in images of other women...then utilize that tool! :happy:

Missi3601

not at all- What I do is post an old pic of me ( at my highest weight) in my room- that reminds me everyday of what I will never allow myself to go back to

LoViNlIFe0225

yeah i am motivated by success stories people who have acheieved their weightloss is incredible.

pretty people just make me insanley jealous cos you cant change your face

Well I don't know what you would be jealous of because you are seriously gorgeous! :flowerforyou:

Weightloss success stories really motivate me too...just not images of models and other famous folks! :happy:

allifantastical

To me it is discouraging. I am never going to look like the people in the magazines and that is ok with me.

allifantastical

not at all- What I do is post an old pic of me ( at my highest weight) in my room- that reminds me everyday of what I will never allow myself to go back to

That is a good idea!

Kenhabes

Define "pretty."

Drawberry

Honestly I find it degrading to begin with. They post pictures of generic cookie cutter people that are fitting into a single small frame of what is beautiful. They're telling me to strive to look like a thin white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, they're telling me what is acceptable to look like, and I will never accept anyone telling me this.

People come in all shapes and sizes, and every one of them are beautiful.

I am motivated by the wonderful stories of others who have overcome a life of emotional struggle and gain personal strength. I am motivated by own desires and wants and pushed forward by my achievements. I am not motivated by being told what I should want to look like.

Micahroni84

So many times I have read articles about clipping out pics of people that you would like to look like. Post them and keep them where you will see them to motitvate you to slow your eating or to watch your life choice. Does anyone here find that to work for them or do they find that to discourage them more? I can't decide if that encouraging or discouraging. It seems a little unrealistic to me.

I never pin or clip pictures of bodies that I want to look like because I find it unrealistic. I can't remember what my body looked like the last time I was 125 pounds because that was 14 years ago and even at that point as teenager I remember thinking I was huge when obviously I wasn't. So to have a picture of a person who is fit or skinny with the goal of looking like them doesn't work for me. I've had a kid, my stomach has stretch marks and I know I'll have some loose skin. The only bodies I look up to are are women on MFP, like me. If I see a woman who lost a remarkable amount of weight but has loose skin left, I think, that's awesome. That's what I can expect and I'm happy with that because anything is better than this!

melbot24

Not photos of celebrities.

But of women who have similar body shapes to mine and who work hard to be fit. Fitness models, random successful people on the interwebs.

Sure, I'd love to have the body of ScarJo - but I'm never ever going to look like her so I'd never use a photo of her as motivation.

The girl with the big muscular butt and thighs in my profile photos? Absolutely. That's more realistic for me and my body shape.

CarolinaGirlinVA

I am motivated by pics of me when I was thin. That's ME in the pic and I have been there before, I can do it again. I am also motivated by pics of me when I wasn't thin. I don't ever want to go back there again. Seeing a pic of a model just makes me feel like I could never achieve that look.

Royaltvii

It depends on my day. If I am really down on my self the last thing I want to see is fitness models and airbrushed abs...on other days when I am pumped up I don't mind looking at them, whether realistic or not, it helps me to fight harder to lose the weight and work out. I guess I am like you and undecided.

mickeygirliegirl

Right now I carry around a picture of myself from about 5 years ago when I was at my lowest weight. That is my inspiration because I was once there and I know I can get there again. (I am currently size 12-14 and my lowest size 6-8)

prov31jd

The pics that REALLY get me motivated and hopeful are those of people right here on MFP -- normal folks who, through discipline over many weeks, or months, or even years, persevered and reached their goals. I love seeing these success stories. Definitely makes me feel like "If they can do it, I can too."

Seeing photos of celebrities who have likely been beautiful and slender all their lives, or (as others have commented), have the luxury of personal trainers, personal chefs, unlimited $$$, photoshopping, and even plastic surgery? NOT SO MUCH. :yawn:


All that said, whatever motivates YOU, use that. If it's a pic of some celeb, more power to you!

jenniferg83

Pics of celebrities kinda make me sick. Photoshopped, tweaked, crash diets, surgeries, hair done, make up done, expensive clothes, fake smiles, ugh...

what does motivate me...seeing older pictures of me. ones that i can see unhappiness in my face and on my body, then comparing them to current pictures. happy, healthy, motivated, stronger.

Pictures of real people doing it the hard and real way, help motivate me as well. everyone on here who earns that sweat while working out and who eats right and doesnt take the short cuts...those people motivate me every day.


pictures on here and storys and support from my mfp are more motivating than those of the celebrities out there.

beccca_daniel

Hey guys, my name is Amber. Some o fyu will have seen the thread I posted earlier which got deleted. I just want o let you guys in on a bit of information. I am a loyal and faithful christian to the Lord, and Jesus christ and also an animal lover. This is why I am a vegetabletarian. There is a girl on this site who goes by the name Sophiebee92. Please do not be friends with her. She is a prostitute. Last year my bf made 1 million dollars reviewing and directing pornos. And he says he has seen her in one. Also I am on this site to be honest and respectful so it makes me mad when people lie about their bodies. This girl 100% has fake boobs, I can tell. Plus my dad is one of the top 3 plastic surgeons in the country and he told me. She is also on steriods, that is how she has muscles. I respectfully warn all of you that she has sold these to, please don't take them. Having muscle kills girls.

Plus what cheerleader and blonde girl like her have you ever seen who is not a complete *****. It is obvious that the only reason she is on this site is to sell her body. Now that is not ok with me. If you want a friend like her just go to the grocery store and by yourself a Barbie doll, its the same thing!!

Also I want to warn you about some of her other friends too. One of them personally told me in a pm that her family are thieves. Another one called me a ***** and two of them were in pornons with her. Some o fthe most insulting comments were from cannonsky, delco, glamour60xtreme, becca_daniel, grapenutsf to name a few! All because I tried to give a little constructive criticism

Also I urge you guys to please help me get her banned. Thank you and I hope you have a pleasant evening!!

ann2012evans

I think I find the before and after pics on this site more motivating too