Go back to January 2010 when I began writing this blog. I was perusing around other weight loss blogs one night when I came across one that really stood out to me. The girl took pictures of herself, full length, in the mirror. Important to note: I had never seen anyone do that before. I thought it was awesome. Like, how handy is that? She doesn't even have to get someone to take her photos--she just uses a mirror! Genius!
That same night I wanted to do a post about working out and how horrible and fat I thought I looked in my workout gear. But I thought that just saying "Today I worked out and I looked so fat and horrible" would be really boring. I decided not to take myself so seriously and snap some full length shots of myself in workout gear, instead. Here they are:
By the way, I was trying to be goofy in these poses. I don't think most people got that. But anyways...
I knew that by continuing to post the photos, even though I wasn't too thrilled by how I looked in them, it would definitely keep me real. It started out as a very humbling practice but quickly became fun. As the weight was practically melting off of me (You can see the biggest difference on my sidebar from January to April) the pics were enabling me to see the transformation in a way that I had never been able to before. It was a huge motivator. And for the first time in my life I was excited to see a picture of myself.
I have continued to take these pics to mark different milestones and so that I can compare them to older ones. It reminds me how far I've come and that I never want to go back. So that pretty much sets the stage for what I'm about to show you...
Recently my hubby and some of his friends were sitting around talking and the topic of "those people" who take pictures of themselves in mirrors and post them on Facebook and stuff came up. A-hem. Yeah... They weren't saying it was cool either.
So, I was quietly sitting there listening and sinking lower and lower in my chair. I was thinking, #1 Surely J is not going to participate in this conversation, since he knows I do that...like...all the time and #2 Do any of these people know I do that...like...all the time? and #3 Oh my gosh, have the people who do know I do that...like..all the time been making fun of me...all this time!?
Long story short, a few days later one of them got brave and posted one of the iPhone self portraits to Facebook. And then the others followed. Including my husband.
Really?
Just easing into it
Really feeling his oats here
Self-portrait with Henrietta
But back to me--I can't stop taking the pictures now, right? Even though apparently I'm super lame. It's kind of an integral part of the blog. But how uncool do YOU think it is? Not that being cool was ever really my intent--did you see the first pics I posted!? Lol.
Oh, mercy. Just a tad bit self-conscious now...
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23 comments:
I don't think it is "un-cool" at all. I think there's a difference between what you do (and what I'm trying to do) versus those people who you KNOW just like to take pictures of themselves. If it's every single day or close to it....then you're kinda like, um, ok, I know what you look like already!! lol
But as for weight-loss for sure (and especially when you start fitting into things that you only dreamed about before), I think it's a great way to keep yourself accountable, real, and motivated.
Don't ever stop because your progress very much motivates others!!! :)
Thank you, Kristin! I kind of thought it was different too but just wanted someone to agree with me! LOL. Thanks :)
Haha. Don't tell him I said so, but your husband is very cute. :)
And that hip jutting out to the side thing you do in your photos? Takes off 20 pounds. I have to perfect that for my next pic.
Deb
I agree ~ totally different! Most people just think they are "hot stuff" & take pics of themselves...you have a reason (a darn good one i believe) ~ so keep it up!
Its not the same thing at all. Its an accountability tool, its a integrating blog tool, and its easy and/or convenient to take pics of yourself instead of having others do it for you. I have a cousin who takes multiple pictures of herself in the mirror. I sometimes think its so she doesn't forget what she looks like. :p
I agree its totally different... You aren't doing it too be hot... You're Doing it to show where you've come from. I love seeing you're progress and seeing it is such an inspiration!
Are you kidding - please please please don't stop! :) - it is such an amazing part of your blog, and seriously a HUGE inspiration to be able to scroll down and see the transformation. LOVE it!
Don't stop with the pictures! You look great! What a great reminder for where you have come! I read your post about your weight gain and it was really great to read. I gained my self this week. I was so up set at my self and spent so much time going over and over in my head what I had done wrong! Well after a while I decided that I had enough wallowing in my self pitty and was going to take it into action! It wasn't a huge gain by any means but more than I would like! It happens and I know it's what I have to deal with especially since I am now maintaining!
Anyway, thanks for your words I love the pics!
PS your husband is HOT!!!!!
Jen :)
Hilarious!! No, don't stop doing the pix! I only wish I could figure out how to do it---that's how uncool I am! I love Henrietta.
hahaha, hilarious! I do the same thing:)
Maybe *we* like your self portraits here! Love to see your progress and your outfits and your hair. If it works and you can stand it, why not?!
Your self pics v. theirs: apples and oranges. Even if it weren't, FREE COUNTRY (unfortunately, at times).
=)
The pictures were one of the reasons I started reading your blog. I LOVED seeing the progress you've made in pictures. I have even copied you and taken photos of myself as well. But, I'm just not nearly as cute in mine as you are! Or your hubby. He is cute! :)
Keep it up. And trust me, being "cool" isn't all that cool. :)
I adore your pics...but why don't you occasionally let your hubby take some pics of you?!?!?
Don't stop! I love your pictures and they motivate me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Ummmm..mirror pics are awesome! ;o)
Ok, yes they are a little cheesy when people take them just for the sake of taking a pic. But, you take yours to show progress so it's not cheesy at all. And, I totally started copying you by taking pics of myself :o)
I love your mirror pics! Not just because I love to see your smiling face, but because the consistency of the setting makes the changes really stand out. There's no "but is that just a shadow?" or "the lighting is way different" or "Um... What IS that behind her?" It's just you & your smiling face & your changing self. Yay!
Not to say that there aren't situations where mirror pics are kind of lame, but that certainly does not apply to you!
I love love love your mirror pics ( and everyone elses for that matter who loses weight ) it REALLY is a great motivator. I like your's better than your husbands though, no offense, the door looks better closed! HAHA!
I love the photo of your husband with the chicken! priceless!
I think we need to take the photos to track our journey and they are not lame when used in your posts.
I am not a fan of posting tons and tons to FB
I love your blog..Please post more of your husbands goofy photos seriously the chicken is priceless. I wonder if my hubby will do it
This was a good laugh! :) You talking about the guys that is. If you were taking pics to show off your clothes on a regular basis, then sure...lame, but you're taking progress pictures and I love that they are a self-photo. I love scrolling through your side bar and seeing them all (you taking your picture). Keep them coming! :)
Oh my goodness! Those photos of your dh are priceless! Love the one of him and Henrietta. :)
I don't care what anyone says, I love looking at your photos, your progress that you're making and the smile that is usually on your face. Then again, my dc sometimes accuse me of being uncool, so what do I know? ;)
Don't upset the apple cart. If it's working, keep it up I say!
Call me crazy but I think there is a huge difference to you doing the blog photos in the mirror and the people doing mirror pics for FB. Huge difference. Keep them coming!!!
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Nope...don't stop. As it's been said - those pictures are extremely inspiring! I don't know how many times I've read you blog and just scrolled down through your pics and thought, "Wow. I can't wait to have awesome pics like that." :)
And seriously...I know that sometimes there's just no one around to take a "cool" picture of me. Orrrrrr....it's only my husband. Who can't take a good picture to save his life! Ha! Bless his heart.
Keep the pics coming. :)
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