Louder Than Scale

 

Are you documenting your journey? 

Using pictures to document your weight loss journey is really a powerful and effective tool. There are several benefits of using pictures in addition to traditional regular weight tracking and food journals.

 

Photo credit: Yahoo News. creative before & after weigh loss

Benefits of Picture Tracking 

Some of the advantages of tracking your progress with pictures is so useful include,

 

• Pictures are more motivating than numbers on scale.

• It is a tangible proof of your transformation.

• It gives a better depiction of what your body really looks like.

• Ideal for people who want to see their body change shape (fat loss vs. muscle mass/definition).

• Helps to reduce worry with numbers on scale.

• Gives you a record that you can share publicly and inspire people. 

 
 
 
 

 

 

The Ideal Method for Photo Tracking Pictorial 

To get the most from the helpfulness of picture tracking weight loss, you need to maintain some patterns in when and how you take photos.

1.     Try to take your pictures during the same time frame each time. For instance, on a Saturday morning before working out or on a Monday morning before breakfast. Mornings are great take photos because your weight can fluctuate over time during the day depending on what you eat, drink and if you workout. Maintaining a steady pattern of when you take progress pictures will provide you the most accurate images of your weight loss.

2.      Take your pictures either monthly or biweekly. If you’re working to build muscle mass or on a serious intense weight loss program where you are losing weight weekly, you may need to take photos weekly. It’s all up to you but try to not be obsessed with your pictures. This habit can be just as detrimental as weighing yourself very often.

3.      Take your pictures in the same positions each time if you can. Try taking pictures of arms relaxed and flexed (to show off your biceps aka “Christian mother” arms).  Also take portrait photos with your entire body in the frame. You may want to suck in your stomach instinctively but refrain from doing this. Remain totally relaxed and stand up straight but in the relaxed poses.  You may also take some head and shoulders or face only photos so that you can see the changes at face area. You can do the same for specific problem areas, like thigh, stomach, butt, etc.  Finally, if you plan to share your photos with the world, wear clothes that you would be comfortable having family and friends see.

The Photo Tools

Photo editing apps are very popular for progress pictorial documentation. There are many app readily available to download for free, in your mobile devices. Click here to see top photo editing apps