In order to claim one of the grand prizes of $1,000 (one will go to a winner, one will go to a reader), the eligible winners must be able to show their "before" and "after" pictures--this, we believe, is only fair.
So this weekend, being a little behind on everything as I seem to be, I had my husband take my "before" picture. First of all, if you believe that I'm going to post that baby up here for all the world to see before I can post my "after" picture up, too, then you're downright crazy.
I did, however, want to share my horror with you. Here, if I remember correctly, are some of the comments between me and my husband (mostly joking):
Me: "I don't really look like that, do I?''
Me: "How could you let me get to this point?"
Him: "Now, it looks funny because it's angled down. Let me bend down.".... "No, it still looks the same."
Him: "No, don't smile. You have to look all sad and pathetic."
After looking at both our pictures...
Me: "We need to put these on the refrigerator. And maybe the pantry."
Him: "And on the car window, too, so when we try to drive up to a fast food place they'll see a sign that says: 'Do not feed these people.'"" (After which we can't control our laughing.)
Seriously, though, my horrific discovery is this: When I look in the mirror, I see someone that's probably about 30 pounds lighter than I actually am. What kind of self-delusional craziness is this?? Is it because I "feel" like a skinny girl on the inside? I remember watching The Biggest Loser on TV a couple of years ago and seeing women that were around my same weight and thinking "Whoa, I look a whole lot better than they do. Thank goodness my weight's distributed more evenly." (Crazy again, right?) I look just as bad as they do!!!
At this point I'm wondering if I had printed off pictures of me at every stage as I gained weight and plastered them to my hands so that I saw them every time I went to overeat, if I wouldn't be much healthier today. This is not meant to be a self-bashing post; on the contrary, it seems I've been much too self-loving in the past, and today I'm realizing just what my reality looks like.
Now I can't wait to take my "after" picture and get to a new, better reality.
If you took a "before" picture, were you shocked at how you looked? Did you, like me, always see a skinnier person in the mirror than what you found on the camera?
Ashley, I had the same realization. I had my boyfriend take front, side and back pictures and I look TERRIBLE. I never thought I looked that bad when I looked in the mirror and I certainly didn't think my back looked as awful as it does. I'm still stumbling through this process, but I have my before picture as my wallpaper on my phone as a constant reminder. I dont want to be a stick, but I definitely don't want to look like this anymore.
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken a "before" pic because I have no one to take it and the only thing more pathetic than a "before" picture would be one I had to take in the mirror because I have no friends. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteBut I'll try to get my cousin to take one soon. I have the same mirror problem. What I see in the mirror is never what I look like on film.
I am *always* astonished by how hideous I look in photos. Even if I'm not looking fat, fat, fat, my eyes squish up when I smile, making me look demented.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, I took my before pictures, using my phone and the full-length mirror in my bedroom. I plan on wearing the same now-tight t-shirt and shorts, each month, as I take follow-up pictures.
Because even if I can't get my eyes to stop looking porcine, I can get my body into better shape!
"Horror" is a very good word. For me it fits my reaction to my 'before' photo perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing is that it doesn't have to be permanent. I have the power to change it. Yay! Not that it will be easy, but it will be worth it.
I know...! Who IS that fat woman?
ReplyDeleteBecause you know that's not who you really are, right?
I know I'm feeling much better these days.
Ashley!
ReplyDeleteIt's not fair! I'm at work and I'm cracking up! Let me tell you, you should 'moonlight' as a stand-up!
I knew I had a problem. I knew how bad it got. I always 'posed' behind people, sideways and basically 'hiding’ behind something/ANYTHING!
I hated taking that picture, but I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and just went for it. Posting it was harder, but again I just went for it!
It takes a lot of guts to do this, but all of us have it!
I'm with Pamela-feeling much better today and I know it will get better and better, easier and easier ;)
I saw myself in a few photos just before the challenge started and couldn't believe I looked so large. I guess I see myself as I looked a few years ago and just held onto that image. It's a little depressing, but mostly encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI might just have to put my pic on the fridge and cupboards to ward of my snacking problems. LOL
It sounds like you and your husband each have a great sense of humour. :)
I am the same way...I have actually been putting off taking my picture because I KNOW how bad it will be.
ReplyDeleteI don't need a picture, I have a straw. My sis who does WW told me that they give everyone a straw to put on their fridges for those that have hit that last straw
I had the exact same feeling as you. I thought who in the world is that woman? This couldn't be me! Unfortunately....it was me. So now I have that motivation along with the motivation of my team members and the group as a whole! Thank you Ashley for starting this!!!
ReplyDelete