Progress Photos: Why They Matter

Hey Nutrafam!

Today I want to talk about progress photos. I'm sure you've seen plenty of them going around, and some of them make you say 'WOW!'. Progress photos are such an incredible, uplifting way to measure one of the many aspects of your journey. I'm also going to show you a couple of behind-the-scenes pictures of our brand new Strawberry Nutralean, so let's get started!! ♥

"I hate having my picture taken!"

Trust me, I get it. I've been a photographer as a side 'hobby' for the past eight years. That business started because it was the best excuse to avoid being in front of a camera. After all, you can't have your photo taken if you're the one taking the pictures! It was the perfect logic... or so I thought.

There's going to come a time when you want these photos

You may not love your 'before' photos, but speaking from personal experience - there's going to come a time when you're so thankful that you have them. Recently I decided to do a face-to-face comparison. I hadn't done one since my blog post about body dysmorphic disorder and again, I was shocked at just how far I've come.

I chatted with a friend about this and she told me she hasn't taken any before photos because she didn't want to remember where she was right now.

That broke my heart

So I wanted to write this blog post and let you ALL know a few important things to remember, whether you're trying to lose weight, gain muscle, maintain your weight, grow your hair longer, try a new shade of lipstick, or if it's just a Tuesday:

Love yourself. I know it can be hard sometimes, we live in a time where it's more common to pick yourself apart and question yourself. But the only person that decides your worth is YOU. You're smart, you're beautiful, you're funny, you're important, and you matter... regardless of what your inner voice tells you.
Take those photos!! Progress photos aren't always about comparing what you looked like to what you LOOK like, sometimes it's just about remembering the incredible journey you've been on. If you look the same in a year, you can STILL love that. Be proud of the journey, be proud of every single aspect of it - the successes, the slips, and the plateaus. They're all a part of every single person's journey. Each photo you take represents a moment in time where you put yourself first.
Where you are is exactly where you're supposed to be. Your journey may not be perfect, but again - no one's is. You're following the exact path you're supposed to. There's no such thing as failure, because each day gives us a new opportunity to succeed in a different way. If you've slipped and you've eaten something you "shouldn't" then make a shake, and Shake It OFF! You're human. Be kind to yourself.

What should a progress photo look like?

Your progress photo can be a selfie (a photo of your face that you take), or it can be a photo taken by someone else! I would suggest taking a selfie once a week. I know that may sound like a lot, but you'd be surprised the difference you see in yourself when you least expect it.

If you're taking full-body progress shots, you're going to either need someone's help, or you can always take advantage of the 'self timer' option on your phone/camera.

My biggest tip is to choose a location you'll be able to take the same photo in month-after-month. (I didn't do this, and I wish I would have!)

We have a great blog about how to take measurements and before photos found here

Check out my latest face-to-face comparison:

What to look for in a progress photo

The obvious part of a progress photo is changes to your facial structure. When I look at that photo, I can see that my face is slimmer, my chin is more defined, and I have more of a neck than I used to. But I also see other things -- I'm sitting up straighter, and my eyes and smile are more sincere. My happiness is shining through in my 'after' photo, whereas in my before... well, you see it. I'm not miserable, but it's not a true happiness. Now? Now I'm happy! My eyes are brighter, my smile comes easier, and I feel it through and through. I'm thankful I have photo proof of this. It lifts me up on days when my journey can start to seem daunting.

Progress goes beyond the physical features

One of the best things that I hear from people all the time is, "Your smile is happier now." Even during my darkest days (the before photo), I put my positive face forward. I never wanted to burden others with my unhappiness, but I also thought I was fooling people more than I was. I hear comments from people almost weekly now about how truly happy I look, and it makes my heart smile.

In conclusion

Don't let your inner voice dictate how you see yourself. Take the photos, wear the outfit, but above all -- be kind to yourself out loud AND inside. Remember, you're always listening. If you have a progress photo you want to share with me, I'd LOVE to see them!! E-mail them to me at tracy.stewart@nutracelle.com <3 I won't share them unless you want me to, but I'd love to celebrate with you!!

Now... our super exciting STRAWBERRY NUTRALEAN is here!!

We could NOT be more excited about this. When Melanie started formulating the Strawberry product, she knew one thing: it had to taste like REAL strawberries. She didn't want that mock-strawberry, candy-style flavor.. she wanted the real, super yummy, fresh-out-of-the-garden juicy strawberry taste... and she nailed it.

Every sip is packed with our 100% Canadian whey protein, prebiotic fiber from the acacia tree, AND real strawberry flakes! Check 'em out:

Seriously, isn't that pretty? I took that picture with my cell phone, too! Imagine how beautiful the powder is in real life. Well, you don't have to imagine anymore - you can get yours today!!

Other than delicious shakes, what can I do with Strawberry Nutralean?

My, my, my, are you in for a treat. Pun intended! We're going to be bringing you INCREDIBLE recipes using our Strawberry Nutralean. Icecream, cupcakes, cake, and more!