Tips for Before and After Weight Loss Pictures

With New Year’s here, you’re ready to keep those resolutions to lose weight and get in shape. And as I discussed in a recent post, there are a few steps you can take to up the odds that you meet your goal. One of those is to take before and after weight loss pictures.

Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits:

• Seeing how you really look right now can motivate you to drop weight and tone up.
• Photos help document the process, so you can physically see the progress you’re making.
• Conversely, if you aren’t holding yourself to your resolution, you’ll be able to see the lack of progress…none of the “I think I’ve toned up a little…” The camera doesn’t lie.
• The before photos act as an official starting point in our minds. It gives a point to build from.

How to Take Before and After Photos Properly

If you’re going to spend the time to take these photos, it’s important you do them the right way, so you can actually document the process. Below you’ll find a few pointers on how to do them right.

1. Have someone else do it for you. I’ve tried doing selfie style before and after photos. It doesn’t work. You want a whole body shot, and you just can’t do a good job of that on your own. It’s also difficult to get a straight shot on your own. Have a close friend or significant other do the duties for you.
2. Think about what you’re going to wear (or not wear). The idea here is to document your progress. That means you need to be able to see those trouble areas in your photos. So whatever you wear is going to have to be a bit revealing. Not comfortable showing off your belly or upper thighs? Then make sure you wear clothes that hug your body.
3. Take 3 poses. Take photos from the front and back. Also take a profile view.
4. Take photos in a setting you will have access to later. You want the after photos to match the before photos as much as possible for an adequate comparison. That means you need the same background for both.
5. Don’t suck in. Resist the urge to squeeze and suck in your belly during the photo. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, but you’ve gotta let it all hang out to get a realistic photo.
6. Don’t take them at an angle. Make sure whoever is taking your photo gets their shots straight on. If they take them at an angle, certain areas of your body will appear distorted.

Have you taken photos to document your progress? If not, get to it!

Image courtesy of  Michal Marcol / freedigitalphotos.net