I was thinking about this today as I looked at my Before photos that my hubby took of me and the first thought was:

"Oh my God look at that😲"

Followed by ... "oh my god i have a looooooong way to go"😦

And then i started feeling really down about myself cause i hate how much fat is on my body but then i realized

"wow i better get moving and get my rear in gear and start hitting the gym"😉

and then i thought.. " I wonder if this is what people see when they look at me???"😧

and then i thought...okay..now i really need to do this diet thing..😊😂

Point being... Does it hinder you or help you to look at your before photos? I personally think it could go either way..

There will come a time when looking back at where you came from, will drive you. Chin up focus on the good the negative is only detouring.
The journey needs to be appreciated no matter how long. What is that saying 'Anything worth having...'

I think taking before pictures is just SO important when you are starting a weight loss project.

First - as you noticed - it's a reality check. I couldn't believe I look so horrible from behind...

Second - It will be very motivating to see the results in photos along the way.

Good luck with your weight loss, I will be starting my weight loss project in January

I've always felt like before and after pictures are soooo important because they're so motivating to see how far you're coming as you're going along and the reality check of how you look is so important.

Neither, really. I don't have many photos from my high weight (not because I wasn't in photos, but because I'm bad at keeping track of ANY photos). I have one. I kept it on purpose after I found it.

I don't hate how I looked then. I'm not ashamed of it. However, I do recall how trapped I felt under all that weight. My body was no longer comfortable to live in, and I was desperate to get out of there at my high weight. THAT I hated. That is what I want to remember; it was my initial driving force. I work now to not only not go back there (I just can't do that to myself), but also to get to where I DO feel very comfortable in my body.

Also, it helps you to see changes later if you have photos from before. That's a big help when you're pretty sure you haven't lost weight despite the big difference on the scale.

It helps me for sure! 1 word: MOTIVATION!

I like having mirrors around the house. I want to see now. Sometimes, I squeeze my arms close together to imagine what I will be like soon. But generally, I want to know what I really look like.

Before photos (that aren't normal candid photos) always make me feel like I'll accidentally lose them and they'll wind up on the internet. Or worse, my kids will find them!

#xoxo
Bon

They are a bit of both for me. I look at pics taken of me before I lost weight and I think "OMG! How did I let mysef get THAT big?" I feel a bit depressed and ashamed that I ever let myself get to that point. But then I start to think "WOW! I have sure come a long way!" I think of all the things I can do now, run, cross my legs, sit on (and get up from) the floor, wear knee high boots...the list goes on. And that makes me want to keep going.

I think it is important to know where you have come from. But it is more important not to dwell on the past.