Why Before and Afters May Be a Lie

IronPlayground
IronPlayground Posts: 1,594 Member
in Motivation and Support
My wife sent me this article and I posted to my Facebook page, as well. I think it is good to see this sometimes. A lot of us look to what we see in print and strive to obtain a certain body type. However, because of genetics, that body type might not be obtainable for us. That doesn't mean we can't look great with what we've been given. All that means is that at our best, we still might not look like someone else. And, that is ok. We are all unique and should strive to be the best version of ourselves not of someone else.

http://www.purfitness.com/the-unexpected-lesson-i-learned-from-lying-about-my-fat-loss-story/
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Replies

  • Pertinacy
    Pertinacy Posts: 131
    :smile:
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I've done similar pictures, but to make a point to friends.
  • 20Grit
    20Grit Posts: 752 Member
    You should see me when I stick my belly out! I get a good laugh out of my kids and husband...It's pretty comical.
  • Escloflowne
    Escloflowne Posts: 2,038 Member
    I've done similar pictures, but to make a point to friends.

    I pretty much send your picture to friends who blame genetics and tell then their opinions are invalid ♥

    I.C.E. Cream Official Tester
    IKEA Professional Put Together-er
    Kickboxing Class Attender
    Been in fitness for about 2 years and have studied kinesiology, nutrition and Dinosaurs
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I've done similar pictures, but to make a point to friends.

    I pretty much send your picture to friends who blame genetics and tell then their opinions are invalid ♥

    I.C.E. Cream Official Tester
    IKEA Professional Put Together-er
    Kickboxing Class Attender
    Been in fitness for about 2 years and have studied kinesiology, nutrition and Dinosaurs

    <3 I approve! (Love your certifications as well)
  • BikerGirlElaine
    BikerGirlElaine Posts: 1,631 Member
    :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart: :heart:
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I think it is interesting that I look *MUCH* thinner in a couple of flattering angle, face-only selfies from when I weighed 285 than I do in any current photos of me at 191. Not the same thing as you're talking about, but still a thought especially about face before and afters.
  • laurie04427
    laurie04427 Posts: 421 Member
    Interesting article.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    And that’s when it hit me.

    It is the same body.

    ‘Cuz even though I’m the girl on the right, I usually feel like the girl on the left most of the time.

    I love this. I take this less as a "Be happy with yourself; it's all photoshop and angles" and more as another example of "EVERYONE can look off on certain days."
  • Bry_Fitness70
    Bry_Fitness70 Posts: 2,480 Member
    Like most gyms, the gym I go to has a bank of TVs in front of the treadmill / elliptical / spinning machines. A few of these are dedicated solely to promoting the gym, with motivational sayings, promotions, staff profiles, and before/after photos. Every time a before/after display came up I noticed the following:

    1) The before pic was in bad lighting, the subject with unflattering clothes, bad posture, stomach pushed out, disheveled hair, and a glum facial expression.

    2) The after pic was in nice lighting, the subject with well-fitting clothes, back and shoulders straight, stomach sucked in, a new hairdo, tanned, and with a big smile.

    3) The after pic was zoomed in slightly closer than the before, making the after image appear significantly taller.

    Points 1-2 have always been a part of the b/a methodology. Make the before pic look as much like a train wreck as possible, then beautify the after person in as many ways as possible to accentuate their fitness, thereby demonstrating your value as a personal trainer.

    Item 3 I have more of a problem with, as it is blatantly deceptive; are you promising not only to help your clients get fitter, but to also actually somehow assist them in growing taller? Is airbrushing also fair game? I suspect that it is probably happening as well.

    Any personal trainer that uses trickery to get clients is risking coming across as shady and disingenuous, and I don’t think they are fooling anyone…
  • cuinboston2014
    cuinboston2014 Posts: 848 Member
    I really like this article. No matter how much I suck in, I don't have visible abs yet - well maybe I never will. But, it's a good reminder that this can happen all the time. It's a better reminder to just smile and be proud. It made me sit up in my work chair and not worry about losing another size before I buy much needed pants!

    Thank you for posting
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    Oh yes, I'm sure we've all been there. Simple things like changing into more flattering clothes makes you look lbs lighter
  • happysherri
    happysherri Posts: 1,360 Member
    Yep, I will never let someone take a pic of me from an upward angle. ex-I'm standing they're sitting, not flattering.

    I love wearing makeup, and I put products in my hair - it's an illusion.

    I have my "favorite" outfits!

    Also, my sisters and girlfriends have a certain way we pose. hands on hips, slightly angled sideways, chin slightly up and pushed out (no double chins), head up, huge smiles and camera angled straight on or slightly downward (never upward)

    I think we all do.
  • MizMiami305
    MizMiami305 Posts: 188 Member
    I never believe ads, the befores are actually the afters!

    I like my b/a though...always motivates me!
  • SuperSexyDork
    SuperSexyDork Posts: 1,669 Member
    I just take this as a reminder to wear clothing that fits well and use correct posture. I can make myself look like a pregnant hippo if I push my stomach out and slouch significantly. I don't ordinarily look like that though.

    Also, I have a younger sister who is 5'9" and not even 120lbs, she is too small for a size 00 and has visible abs normally. She can make herself look pretty bad if she slouches/pushes her stomach out too!
  • msdeb424
    msdeb424 Posts: 36 Member
    Great article. Thanks for sharing. :)
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    I've done similar pictures, but to make a point to friends.

    Yours, Mirey's, and ILiftAllthePizzas have all the best 5-minute transformations! :laugh:
  • 20Grit
    20Grit Posts: 752 Member
    I've done similar pictures, but to make a point to friends.


    Ummmm.....can I see.
  • shellma00
    shellma00 Posts: 1,684 Member
    Thanks.. I think some people need to see this. I think it was motivational.....
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    Good posture and clothes that actually fit are the best "instant improvements" you can make to your appearance. Stand up straight. Pay to have your clothes tailored. Look hot. The end.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Yup...I can look like a 40 year pregnant woman if I want to.

    Agree with ItsCasey...standing/sitting up straight and a wardrobe that fits do wonders for your aesthetics.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I saw the thing with the blonde a few weeks ago. There was another with a guy. Link below. Yeah, I know - huffpost...


    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-dixon/weight-loss-secrets_b_3643898.html
  • PetulantOne
    PetulantOne Posts: 2,131 Member
    :happy:
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Love this!
  • PHr34k0wt
    PHr34k0wt Posts: 218 Member
    Yes!
  • HavtaLose
    HavtaLose Posts: 59 Member
    Wow loved it!
  • Amestris
    Amestris Posts: 152 Member
    I've done similar pictures, but to make a point to friends.

    I pretty much send your picture to friends who blame genetics and tell then their opinions are invalid ♥

    I.C.E. Cream Official Tester
    IKEA Professional Put Together-er
    Kickboxing Class Attender
    Been in fitness for about 2 years and have studied kinesiology, nutrition and Dinosaurs

    What does one have to do to become an official Ice cream tester? Sounds like my kind of job
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    You should see me when I stick my belly out! I get a good laugh out of my kids and husband...It's pretty comical.

    Me too! Since I've been pregnant once, I can stick it out to an alarming degree. Heheh!
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    Some folks here have done some great ones. Let's see - I think my favorite is MireyGal's. :laugh:
  • MireyGal76
    MireyGal76 Posts: 7,334 Member
    Some folks here have done some great ones. Let's see - I think my favorite is MireyGal's. :laugh:
    hahah! THANK YOU!!!

    You mean this one?
    2ea54889-a0b0-4fa2-a007-74f4781ba3a9_zpsad6cbc0b.jpg

    LOL!

    That's why, when I take my progress pics, I make a point of flexing and trying to look as good as possible. That way, when I go from progress to progress, I am comparing apples to apples.

    I also make a point of trying to maintain the same pose, lighting, and angles. Because it does ALL make a difference.

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