Ask Heidi Anything: Why Do I Need To Take Before and After Pics?

Before and after photos. Why do we make such a big deal of them? Because they ARE a big deal! And they are essential to giving yourself an accurate subjective view of yourself. Let’s face it – the mirror lies to us! We might be down to our goal weight (after tens to hundreds of lbs lost), but what we see in the mirror is the same old person we saw ourselves as when we started!

Have you been there before? Well, you’re not alone. Every single one of our Extreme Weight Loss peeps has dealt with the same issue. They find themselves depressed after their first 3 months, after sometimes over 100 lbs lost, because they just don’t see it in the mirror! Without fail, the before and after photos (side by side) that Chris and I helped them take along the way SAVES the day! It is an immediate accurate gauge of how far they have come. They all of a sudden can appreciate all of the hard work they have put in, and can remember the depth of darkness they felt before that they never want to return to again.

Standing bare in front of a mirror, or in front of a friend to take a pic can be terrifying. I get it. But don?t let that stop you. This is all part of the process; part of coming to terms with and accepting who you are. Once you do this, transformation is possible :). Trust me, when you reach your goal you?ll be amazed at how your body has changed, and forever grateful that you took those pictures! So go for it – snap your first picture today:).

42 Responses

  1. I put the Picts in the back of a picture in a picture frame -only a stupid thief would look there….lol!
    #BabyPowell

  2. I struggle so much with taking pictures. I don’t even like looking at myself in the mirror without make-up but after reading your post I understand the importance. So, I am off to get down in my bra and panties and take a picture… Here goes nothing.

  3. What tips do you have for extremely picky eaters? I just finished reading Chris’s book choose more to loose more. I really want to get started but I’m afraid of the food part. I am a extremely picky eater. Raw veggies have never been apart of my menu. I really don’t like them. I don’t want to give up on loosing weight because of that but I’m afraid I won’t stick with it because of the foods I don’t like. How can I make this really work for me? Can you help me? I truly need to loose 50-60 lbs and my husband really needs to loose 100 lbs or more. I’m the one that feels the need to have foods around then I don’t want them and my husband is the type that if its here he eats it. We are complete opposites. He’s been unemployed for two years now because of a ruptured disc in his low back and a torn miniscus in his left knee. They didn’t want to do surgery until he looses some weight well that hasn’t happened with all the stress and pain. We really need to get started with this lifestyle change and I need help with the food fear.

    1. It’s all about what you want more. Getting past your food fear (as you put it) is key to your success. Take it one day at a time. Start with veggies you DO like. Remember the part of the book that talks about integrity and keeping promises to yourself? That’s what it’s going to take. Make a promise that for one day you’re going to eat exactly from the plan. Keep that promise. Then the next day do it again. Pretty soon you’ll start to see the changes in your health and body and it will be worth it to learn to love those veggies. Just like so many people have a fear of exercising and really don’t enjoy it at the beginning of their journey, by the end they love it. You can have the same experience with food. Good luck! 🙂

  4. Before and after pics are crucial to never ever go back to what you once were!!! I lost 39 lbs, down 4 dress sizes, am 63 yrs old and have turned the clock back. I feel healthy once again. When I look at my before and after I vow to never ever be the “before” person ever again! Being a grandmother gives you the excuse to be heavier because as we age we think it is okay, but it is not! Health issues soon take over when you allow weight to go out of control. Those health issues no longer exist, thank God! Thank you Chris and Heidi for helping me get there!

  5. Hi Heidi! I love you guys! I started my diet a few weeks ago and was feeling great, but I had something happen and went right back to eating the way I was. I am excited you posted this video, because it made me rethink about taking a before photo. Maybe I wouldn’t get discouraged as fast. I am so ashamed of my body and scared someone might find the photo. I like your idea of hiding it some where to go back to later. Thank you Heidi! Wish me luck everyone on starting this healthy live style over again. 🙂

  6. Amen! Thank you for encouraging everyone to take a before photo. I began my weight loss journey 3 years ago. I wanted to loose 40lb. but, after loosing 20lbs, my scale stood still. I thought that I was a failure until I looked at my progress pics. I realized that, while I hadn’t lost much weight past 20lbs, I HAD gained muscle and lost fat! My body looked completely different and it helped to have that before pic to remind myself that I was still getting healthy, despite what the scale said.

  7. Right on time, I have been thinking about this ALL day! I set out to get healthy and I didn’t care how my body changed for the better on the OUTSIDE… so I didn’t purpose to take a before since that wasn’t my goal. TOTALLY regret it! I was “thin”ish before and now I’m down 10 lbs and many inches… was sure I had a bathing suit pic from last year but I deleted them all because I was self-conscious! I’ll take one tomorrow!

  8. You are so right. I have lost 133 lbs over a two year period but still see the fat lady in the mirror. I got out my biggest pair of pants I ever had and could put both legs in one. I forgot how much I have changed! It is good to look back at yourself and remember where you came from. Thank you Heidi and Chris for all you do for us. You both are so motivational and inspiring!!!!!

  9. Hello Heidi, The other day I tried contacting Chris via e-mail on his site, but was not able to find a link to send him a personal note. So far, I have not heard from anyone who might manager his incoming mail/posts on FB. I am a Senior Citizen, have degenerating disc disease, and have been very sedentary and very much overweight for quite a while, mainly due to two neck surgeries. I used to swim a mile a day, taught water exercises, walked 8 miles a day, and was a tournament golfer. I would love to get information on the special “EXERCISE POOL” that Chris had installed for “Alyssa”, from Kalamazoo, Mi. I got so excited when I saw that pool, and thought at least I could do that. Although I live in Southern, CA, perhaps you can just send me the name of the company that made and installed that pool, and I can take it from there. The one thing I know I can do is water exercises, and perhaps even swim against the current, while staying in one place. Anxiously awaiting your reply. PLEASE!!! 🙂

  10. Photos and measuring are the absolute scariest things for me. The photos more than the measuring because, to be honest, I really never quite expect to see what the photo is showing me.

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