Progress pictures are one of the many great ways to make sure your efforts in the gym are paying off. Once you start tracking pictures, you’ll be able to visually see “what’s changing” and “where”. Use these guidelines when you take your pictures so you don’t risk not being able to accurately see changes; even if you are losing weight and toning up.
Take Gym Progress Pictures Every One To Three Months
Visual changes just don’t happen on a week-to-week or day-to-day basis. Don’t get in the habit of obsessing over taking pictures every day. After we cover the rules of taking progress pictures, I’ll teach you two ways to take them so you can start immediately. When you get through this guide, read this to learn how to take weight loss measurements by yourself.
Don’t Manipulate These Pictures To Make Yourself Look Better
First, The last thing you want to do is use funny myspace angles and weird filters in your pictures. Remember, the goal of these is to be able to see your progress over time. If you’re always using a different angle and using filters to make yourself look more cut, you’re doing it wrong. Progress pictures are one of the 7 ways you can track your gym progress. Save the filters for Instagram pictures for your followers and friends. Remember, you don’t have to show your progress pictures to anyone if you don’t want. Save them for yourself, and then when you’re happy with your results you can post them.
Keep Your Pictures Consistent As Possible Each Time You Take Them
To make sure you can see even the smallest changes month-to-month, there are a few tricks you can use.
Try to make sure you use the same lighting each time you take a picture. Lighting will heavily influence how you look in pictures, so it’s important to try to keep this the same each time.
Take your pictures in the same place every month, at night. This way you won’t get any external lighting from the windows, and you won’t get shadows from different angles making you look more or less defined. Your only lighting will come from the ceiling or lamps in the room, and your pictures will always be the same quality.
If your room is too dark, you can turn the brightness up on your phone a little. Just make sure you write down what settings you used somewhere. Remember, these pictures need to be as consistent as possible.
You should also wear the same clothes every time you take a progress picture. This way you can see the difference in how they fit.
Use A Full-Size Mirror So You Can See Everything
Ideally, you’ll want to use a full-size mirror when you take your pictures. If you use something like a bathroom mirror, you won’t be able to see the development of your lower body. When you take your pictures, you’ll want to take them from three different angles.
Take A Picture Of The Front Of Your Body
For the first one, use your phone’s rear-facing camera. Hold it out in front of you at about chest level and take a picture straight on. Try to take your picture straight on instead of from an angle. Remember, we’re using these to track progress. Don’t manipulate these pictures to try and make yourself look better.
Since I don’t have a full-size mirror, I’ll just use my bathroom mirror to show you how the pictures should look.
Take A Picture Of The Side Of Your Body
For the next shot, you’ll want to turn to your side and put your phone in the hand that’s furthest away from the mirror. Same as before, hold it out in front of you at chest level. If you hold your phone from the bottom, it’s easier to press the button with your thumb. Don’t try and suck in for this picture, just relax and stand normal.
Take A Picture Of The Back Of Your Body
Lastly, you’ll want to take a picture of your back. To do this, put your phone in selfie mode and hold it over your shoulder. Try and get as much of yourself in the shot as possible, and do your best to angle the phone so it’s lined up as straight as possible with the mirror.
This is kind of an awkward shot, which is why I like using the next method best.
Have A Friend Help You Or Use A Tripod
Since not everyone has access to a full-size mirror, this is the best way to go. I personally recommend using a tripod and a Bluetooth remote to take the pictures yourself.
If you don’t feel like spending £20 on a tripod and remote kit, you can always ask a friend to help you out. Alternatively, you can also position your phone on a windowsill, bookshelf or something else to get your shot. If you do that, though, you’ll still need a Bluetooth remote.
Take A Picture Of The Front Of Your Body
Like in the bathroom pictures above, you’ll want your phone vertical instead of horizontal. This way you can get your whole body in the picture. If you’re using the tripod, it’s easier to take these pictures in selfie mode, with the screen facing you. This way you can see if your whole body is in the picture.
Stand normally and take a picture of the front of your body. If your friend can’t take a good picture, get new friends.
Take A Picture Of The Side Of Your Body
Turn to the side, stand normally and take a picture of the side of your body. Try to face the same way each time you do these so your pictures are consistent.
Take A Picture Of The Back Of Your Body
Lastly, face away from the camera and take a picture of the back of your body.
Organize these somewhere on your computer or cloud storage. I like to name the folders after the date the pictures are taken, and then put the pictures in that folder. That way, they’re organised and I can find them when I need them.
