Nothing captures the outcomes of this experience (at least the visible part of it! ), which is about to change your body and your life.) quite like a set of “before” and “after” photos.
Prepare to earn your Ph.D. whether you simply want to keep them as a personal reminder of how far you’ve come or if you want to shout it from a mountain and share your story with the world. in transformation photography!
Table of Contents
Progress Photos: What Are They?
You can accurately record any physical changes that might take place throughout your fitness journey by taking progress photos of yourself. When you first start your fitness journey, you’ll take your first set of photos from a variety of angles. Then, you’ll repeat this process every four weeks. Every photo shoot ought to be done at the same time of day, wearing the same attire, and from the same angle. In order to more precisely track your physical progress without a scale, this should provide you with a trustworthy side-by-side comparison.
Camera, Photographer, And Location
To take photos with a high resolution, it is best to use a digital camera.
If you have a tripod for your camera or something similar, great! If not, try to find someone to take your pictures; don’t worry, they don’t have to be professionals!
In front of a plain wall or door, pick a location that is well-lit. It will be easier to focus on you and your transformation if there is less background noise.
Dress Code
The best options are a swimsuit or tight workout attire. If it makes you feel comfortable, you should expose as much of your body as possible, but please keep it modest.
Since your underwear covers the same amount of skin as a swimsuit, you might be tempted to take your transformation pictures in them.
True, but would you walk around in just your underwear? Probably not.
Photo Composition
Take high-quality photos of your entire body, or at the very least from head to hip, and make sure your face is clearly visible.
Try to take the photos from various perspectives, such as a front view and a side view.
To help us recognize you, don’t forget to include your face in the pictures as well. No more than 20 MB should be used for each image.
Whatever you do, consistency is key!
Ideally, your “before” and “after” photos will show you doing the same poses, wearing the same clothes, in the same place both before and after your transformation. The only thing we can see changes in this scenario is your body.
And don’t “suck it in” or “push it out” — just flex if you feel good and let us see the REAL YOU!
Timing
So that you can track your progress over time, be sure to take photos at the start, midpoint, and end of your program.
You could take photos on Day 1 of a 90-day program, and then every 30 days (on Days 30, 60, and 90) after that, until you’re finished.
How Do Progress Photos Provide Accountability?
You are forced to be objective about the work you’re doing through progress photos. It’s all too easy for us to look in the mirror and conclude that we haven’t made any progress because we have a tendency to be our own harshest judges. Comparing our perceived progress to that of others is even simpler! Because we encounter ourselves every day, it is very challenging to determine when changes are actually taking place. Photos of the progress made this subjectivity unnecessary.
You may find it really helpful to hold yourself accountable if you know that you’ll be regularly tracking your progress as you succeed in your fitness goals and adhere to your dietary restrictions.
If you decide to let others know how you’re doing, you’ve got an even higher chance of staying on track! Sharing your progress photos with the world is undoubtedly scary; it’s a decision that you might find unsettling. However, if you do choose to share, research has shown that those who do so publicly tend to see greater progress than those who do so privately. You should also be aware that, if you decide to share your progress pictures, the FBG girls in the community on Facebook and Instagram will be happy to congratulate you and aid in your motivation.
How To Take Useful Progress Photos
You must choose a specific day and time before you can take any actual photos. Will you accept them on a Monday early in the morning? Pick a time and day that works for you, and then be consistent with it.
- You should look for a full-length mirror that is sized to fit your entire body.
- Make sure there is nothing in the background and that the lighting is appropriate.
- Wear a sports bra or a bikini top that fits you properly and either some shorts, your underwear, or a bikini bottom; try to wear the same outfit for each set of progress pictures.
- Take two sets of pictures: one relaxed and one flexed.
- Make sure to capture images from the front, side, and back from three different perspectives.
- Every four weeks, repeat this process.
- Remember to use the Fit Body app to store and monitor your progress photos!
When Will I See the Results?
We don’t want to burst your bubble, but consistency is essential and results take time. You’ll hear Anna say this time and time again: most people experience a change in their mood within 4 weeks, may notice physical changes after 8 weeks, and start to see visible changes after 12 weeks. You will be set up for failure by anything that guarantees a quick fix in a short period of time. Real change can only be attained through perseverance, hard work, and the gradual adoption of changes (that fit your lifestyle).
Remember that it took Anna nine months to go through her own personal transformation when she first began her fitness journey! That’s why the Fit Body team advises making a 12-week (or longer!) commitment.) a fitness program or challenge to lay the foundation for long-term change. You must give your body time to change before selecting a program that will best support your objectives.
When asked about her transformation, Anna said, “Was it possible for me to make progress in less than nine months? Sure, but I would have been miserable while doing it. I wanted to make sure that I was putting my health first and figuring out what would be best for me in the long run. That entails avoiding extremes, striking a healthy caloric deficit, balancing strength training and cardio, and living life to the fullest with pasta and wine nights. The main topic is THIS. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that you actually enjoy while making progress.”
Tips For Taking Your Progress Pics!
Take your photos consistently at the same time of day, ideally before breakfast. Maintain consistency by taking pictures at the beginning, then every two weeks, so at the end of weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8.
For the photo, dress simply—a bra and pants work best—and take front and side shots of your entire body. You can choose to take a photo of just your stomach from the front and side, but it’s a good idea to be able to see your posture and how you stand as you’ll become aware of the corrections you may need to make to your posture.
Here, it’s important to remember not to mentally criticize your stomach. Numerous physiological and hormonal changes happened throughout your pregnancy, the delivery, and the months that followed as your body developed a baby. Try to pay attention to any additional changes, such as your energy level and how your clothes feel. Do you feel better and happier now? The picture might not clearly show the additional effects and advantages of exercise, such as how it improves mood and brain function.
