Starting A New Workout Program – Why Take Accountability Pictures?

Starting a new workout program during the Holidays?  Is she crazy?  Lol

Tomorrow I will be an accountability partner for a friend.  They will be going through the 21-Day Fix, and I will start PiYo until Hammer & Chisel comes out.  These are both Beachbody programs (like P90X, Insanity, TurboFire, etc), and I’ve been doing their programs for years as well as going to the Gym.

After my workout and shower this morning, I decided to pull out the phone & tripod and take some before pictures. Why?  Accountability and Comparison.  I am a Certified Health Coach (IIN, AADP), and know how important it is to have those pictures.  For those that don’t know me well, you may not know that I lost 110 pounds and have kept it off over 8 years now.  It was not a fun experience taking those initial pictures years ago, but I am SOOO glad I did.  I still cringe looking at them, but when I compare them to the after pictures, they are worth their weight in gold.

Being able to do side by side comparisons helps you to maintain motivation by seeing subtle differences that sometimes take 90 days or more for others to notice.  You may be able to feel your clothes getting looser, but a picture is truly worth a thousand words.

Here are some tips when taking those before pics:

1.  Decide if you want to take one set of pics or two.  One for you that shows the midriff and has form-fitting workout clothes (lumps, bumps, and all) and another that you don’t mind sharing with the world.  It’s up to you!
2. Use the same clothes in each follow-up set of photos.  It’s easier to see the progression.  Also, take the pictures from the same distance away and same background.
3. Use a tripod if possible or have a friend take the pictures.  Use a flash or be in an area with good lighting. Use an unused wall or door with a solid background if possible.
4. At a minimum, take pictures front, back and side with hands on hips and also guns flexed.
5. Use a program like MS Publisher or an app that makes Collages to put each before/after set of photos together to see your progress.

Here’s some of my newest pics, and the one from years ago.  Hope this helps!!

Be Brave! Be Kind!  Be AMAZING!