Keep it simple

[Mike]

Try not to overthink before and after pictures. They're only for tracking progress. Don't make a big deal about them. You don't need to show anyone and you can just get rid of them once you're done reaching your goal. They should be an easy source of motivation. If it takes too long for you to snap a photo, if you dread it or you hate any part about it. Just don't do it. It's that simple.

[Maggie]

That's really good advice Mike. I think you're right that we spend too much time obsessing about taking these photos. Sometimes I really wish taking pictures wasn't such a big deal. I feel like once upon a time they captured good memories...now people just take them too much all the time and they've sort of lost their magic. Instead of remembering something, I find that I'm judging myself in half of the photos I appear in now :(

[Mike]

That's just it Maggie. When we turn before and after photos into a project we lose sight of what they're all about. The more complicated we make things when it comes to weight loss and keeping track, the less likely we are to keep up with our efforts.

[Nelly]

Yeah, the simpler the better IMO. At the same time, if you are someone who does like to get all dressed up or turn it into a photo shoot, that's fine too. The trick is to just do what works for you.

[tara]

I actually take a before picture and then an after picture 6 months later. This allows me to see a real difference. I really don't find you see much of a change in one month. You just don't lose THAT much weight that quickly...and if you do...that's not good and you'd be able to see the change in your mirror haha.