A while ago, I think I read some study that when dieters looked at photos of average-sized people, they stuck to their diet better than dieters who looked at super skinny models for inspiration.

I was wondering, what kind of photos/pictures do you all look at to keep motivated, and do you think it is really helpful? Pictures of models, actors/actresses you have a crush on, pictures when you were heavier--what keeps you going?

Right now, I find the "goal" pictures on this site super motivating, but I'm looking for some other ideas, especially things I can print out and put up on my fridge or bathroom mirror.

I find pictures of myself when I used to look better to be pretty motivating. Other than those, I more often look at pictures of people who have managed to reach their desired goal (the before/after type from forums, not adverts). They show real people that have been through what we're going through and they show that it can be done with enough willpower. I don't find pictures of celebrities or wallpapers to be quite as motivating. They often portray unrealistic goals as they are usually unreal representations of a person (heavily edited and modified). Looking at real people makes me connect much easier.

For quite awhile I had a picture of me at my biggest on the fridge. It was a great reminder that I don't want to go back there so I don't need to eat whatever I was going to grab. I often ate out of boredom so I didn't need whatever I was going for.

I also have taken pictures of myself at different points throughout my weight loss journey and it's really nice to compare the newer ones to the older ones to motivate me. It's a quick reminder that what I'm doing is working.

I look at older pictures of myself when I was a thinner weight as well... I figure it's the most realistic, I got there once I can get there again. Even though when those pictures were taken I thought I was fat then, ha... reminds me to appreciate how we look now, we are our own worst critics. I also have some fat pants around from when I was my heaviest and remind myself I don't want to go there again either.

#1 best thing I've ever done to improve my own self image and self esteem was to stop looking through fashion and even fitness magazines so much, too much comparing myself to the thin models and feeling bad about myself since I didn't look like that.

I go on theberry.com and they have "daily motivational" threads. I like to save pictures of girls who are working out and healthy food rather than models/celebrities. I also find before and after pictures REALLY motivating because it WILL be me one day!

I look at before and after photos from both here and on Tumblr. This includes from the weight loss perspective and a muscle building perspective. I really like fitness before and afters.

Riestrella - You saved my life! Great website, thanks for sharing

Riestrella- Thanks for the link! Love it and I've saved a few pics from there already!

I don't put up pictures mainly because I don't have a printer, lol so I just save it on my computer as screensaver and background pics.

I write on the mirrors in my bedroom with dry erase markers with personal motivating stuff- "Get that *** moving!", "You are beautiful", "No exercise is better than exercise", "Don't let history repeat itself", yada yada.

I love going through beforeandafterweightloss.tumblr.com and before-and-after-pictures.tumblr.com.

People just like us with before and afters. It gives me a lot of motivation, and I'm so happy for all of their progress.

These are all great ideas, thanks! Others stories are so inspiring. The " Health and Fitness" board on pinterest bothers me because the pictures of women always seem...unrealistic.

If you click on my avatar, you can see the photo I use to keep me motivated...

ETA: Oops, didn't realize I was posting on the 20-something board! But still... I figure it's not really an age-related question so I'll leave this here.

Before and after pictures of others really motivate me. I also look at pictures of me when I was heavier and mop are them to current pics. Most of all, I think about the smaller sizes of my clothing!

There is a website that is set up like a chart where you can look at your height and weight (or goal weight) and find pictures people have submitted of themselves at that height/weight. It's cool because you can see how different body types carry the weight. I can't remember what it's called. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Here you go: http://www.mybodygallery.com/

I personally like comparing "then and now" photos of myself, although it feels a little vain. I still have a long ways to go and it's a great reminder of how far I've come. You can see an example if you look at my profile.