28/08/2022
This is not a before and after. I am also not here to tell you all the things I wish I could say to the girl on the right, or that I was once unhappy with my body. This is not a short term transformation challenge.
These are 2 progress pics of many that I have on my phone. This week, after 2 weeks off my weight training and meal plan, I was feeling a little deconditioned, but my coach asked me to take some progress photos (left). The pics on the right are from January 2021- 20 months ago.
If you know me you'll know that health and living an active lifestyle is a big part of my life. In both of these photos, I am healthy and taking steps everyday towards bettering myself and my lifestyle.
These photos show a body recomposition- a clear increase in muscle mass and decreased body fat which has changed my body shape. It happened so slowly I barely noticed, in fact there is only about 3-4kg difference in body weight.
I wanted to share this in the hopes of cutting through the noise and shedding light on a few truths.
β¨The quick fix you are constantly sold does not exist. Long term, sustainable and enjoyable changes must be made over time, and fit into your current lifestyle to be maintainable. So why not slow down and enjoy the process instead of trying to rush to a non-existent finish line?
β¨The number on the scale does not tell the whole story. I'm so glad I decided to take progress photos. You may not want to sometimes, but it's worth it and will tell you so much more than your scale weight will.
β¨Living an active lifestyle and working on yourself doesn't have an end. Itβs normal to fluctuate with the seasons and experiences of life. These photos don't depict a start or an end for me, nor are they the best vs worst photos I have of myself. They are a snapshot of two moments in time where I can look back on my progress and be proud.
β¨Changing your body because you hate it is not the way. If you can learn to look at yourself and appreciate yourself in all forms, that's when the magic truly begins.
*As these pics weren't taken to be compared side by side, they show different angles, lighting and underwear. I am relaxed in both, not flexing.