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r/loseit•
frobalt

[Progree Pics] Am I the only one who struggles to spot progress with themselves, even when using pics?

Bit of backstory: A few years ago I was able to lose weight and complete the 10 mile version of total warrior. For those that don't know what it is, it's an obstacle course (Most may be familiar with Tough Mudder). It has 2 versions: A 10 km version and 10 mile version - The 10 mile version is the 10 km version with a ~4 mile hill run in the middle. As for why I'm using imperial AND metric? I'm British. I got down to 85 kg from somewhere in the 90-100 kg region, I believe.

Anyway, as you can imagine, over the years the weight piled back on until I decided to start losing weight again. Late July I started again and weighed 112.3 kg. For those wondering: I didn't start any highly disciplined regime, I just cut down on what I was eating and drinking gradually until cutting things out became natural.

I started taking progress pics in September, with my first progress pic being at 105 kg. I took a 3rd one today and am struggling to spot the difference, but people who have known me before I started losing weight keep telling me how obvious it is. Am I the only one who struggles to see the progress, even when using photos?

For what it's worth, I uploaded the photos to Imgur with notes on when the photo was taken and what I weighed at the time. Am I oblivious or is the progress not completely obvious?

Edit: I really should proof-read my titles before posting -_-

Posted Dec 9, 2017, 12:00 AM UTC

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flibbitygibbetyF 28 5' 5" SW 195 CW 149 GW 120•

I took some progress pics back for sort of starting in February, and I just last week took some new pics and was not happy with what I saw and could not see much difference and I just kind of ... ignored it and carried on. The numbers got dis.

I can definitely see some big changes in your progress pictures. I didn't look at the dates and it is huge how much you've changed,

6
frobaltOP •

How much did you way back in February?

Ah thanks! I wish I could see the progress as easily as other people do!

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flibbitygibbetyF 28 5' 5" SW 195 CW 149 GW 120•

Looking at MFP, about 180lbs. Just wanna point out you're not the only one there. I have clearly lost a lot of weight since then but compar5ing side by side I just felt disappointed. It doesn't mean it's not working and just keep trusting in the process of what you're doing.

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GeologyWalrus120lbs lost•

I've lost 120 lbs and this still plagues me. I can tell the difference between my starting progress pic and today, but I just don't feel like I've really lost that much. And 75 lbs down to 120 lbs down? Not that much difference. What I've discovered is that I lose weight really proportionally, so each place of my body is constantly losing weight. I'm kind of shedding even layers, and it makes it really hard to see progress. So instead of looking at pictures, try seeing how things fit you. Something that was previously snug might not be, or your pants might be loose. Or maybe you don't get as winded doing something as you used to. Basically, there are a lot of ways to measure progress, and it's really important to look at all of them, not just one. You are definitely not alone in struggling to see the progress!

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flaming_applesauce29M | SW: 297 (Aug) CW: 225 GW: 180•

I can see a difference in the first and third pictures but you're also focusing on a single part of your body in these pictures and you're turning your head at a funny angle, it makes it harder to compare IMO. I think from some different angles you'd have some more success.

3
lthomazini •

Your stomach is much smaller in the second picture compared to your first.

I think after that you started losing weight in a more distributed way. Your arms and your face look thinner.

Do you have different angles? Those pics focus too much on your tummy. Maybe you are losing weight in different parts of your body.

How are your clothes? Lose? Did you have to buy new ones?

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frobaltOP •

My clothes are definitely looser and I have had to buy a smaller belt or two and tighten it up more.

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lthomazini •

There you go. Don’t focus too much on one aspect. Your body loses weight in its own way and it is not always super noticeable.

Sometimes a couple of pounds get off your stomach. Sometimes from your tights. Sometimes they are evenly distributed.

Your clothes getting lose are a great indication that you are, in fact, losing weight in a noticeable way. My advice would be to take progress pictures from different angles. So you can notice where the pounds are coming out from.

Edit: I wrote ng instead of my

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frobaltOP •

I will definitely start doing the multiple angles thing in future. Thanks for the advice!

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nousernameusername47lbs lost 28M 5'9" SW:187 LW: 140 GW: STRONGER!•

See a difference?... I don't, the longer I stare at it, the more the two images look the same!

I've just come to the conclusion that my brain is a bastard. He made me get fat... and now he's convincing me I'm still fat! I hate that guy.

Some tricks I've developed that help.

  • Looking into a mirror in the dark/early morning half-light. Where my features are blurred and I can't really recognize 'me.' Just a quick glance. 10 seconds. Any longer, I 'recognize' myself and feel like nothing has changed.

  • Looking at surprise/unposed photos. I went to a BBQ at the end of my weight loss and some pictures popped up in my news feed - "Who's that skinny prick with his face out of shot that's wearing the same shirt as me... Oh..."

  • Compare unposed photos! The Ardeche, South of France, April. A muddy ditch, Midlands, England, October.

Basically, trick your bastard of a brain!

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frobaltOP •

I spotted your difference straight away. Stomach and breasts are definitely smaller on the right than the left.

Good tips, though!

Does covering up the face help you spot the differences at all?

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nousernameusername47lbs lost 28M 5'9" SW:187 LW: 140 GW: STRONGER!•

Yep! Hiding the face definitely helps. Basically anything that makes me not recognize myself.

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InteriorblueSW: 244 CW: 214.5 GW: 160•

I just want to say, I have lost 24 lb (~10-11kg) so far, and I still can't really see the difference in my pictures even though people also comment that I have lost weight. The fact that you can't see the difference in your pictures either, as weird as it sounds, just proves the fact that we cant see our own progress, because you are definitely visibly losing weight. It's funny how we don't see progress through our own eyes because of how often we look at ourselves.

Between the 1st and 3rd picture, despite the angle, I can see the weight loss in your face, and you have definitely lost weight around your stomach area. Keep up the good work!

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GSDawn •

10 weeks and 18lbs feels better than it looks

🙌 feeling you!! I feel I’ve worked super hard over the last 10 weeks (18lbs and 10 inches down) but took the second photo earlier today and did feel a little 😔 disappointed.

I feel so much better than just the numbers so I expected the photo to reflect that. As another poster said different angles, a stationary photo does not fully reflect the changes you have undergone and can never truly reflect the difference (that is definitely there and most likely being noticed every day by other ppl as well as hopefully yourself) so whilst it’s interesting to see, I’ve decided not to get hung up on it so you don’t either ☺️.

Thanks for posting as this literally was my exact thought 2 hours ago when I took the photo- feel loads better knowing I’m not alone.

You are doing fantastic, keep at it! You Can and You Will!!

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frobaltOP •

You are doing fantastic, keep at it! You Can and You Will!!

As are you!

For what it's worth, I can see the difference in you! :)

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GSDawn •

As I can with you 😉

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frobaltOP •

Hehe thanks 😶

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