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When people try to get fit, they often use a bathroom scale to track their progress. There are, however, a number of reasons why it's not a good idea. Probably the main one is that your weight only tells how heavy you are, and nothing about your body composition, which is the proportion of fat and fat-free mass in your body. And to make our argument even more convincing, Bored Panda has collected a series of before-and-after photos of people at the same weight but in a very, very different shape. You'll see, there's no need to starve yourself to achieve great results. All it takes is just good old-fashioned dedication. And after you're done scrolling through this list, check out these 28 Before & After Photos That Prove Your Weight Is Meaningless for more inspiration as well.
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#1
"If You're Consistent At Lifting And Exercising And Hitting Protein, Don't Quit Because Things Are Happening Whether The Scale Reflects It Or Not"
Rachelle 6 years ago
THIS is truly inspirational! I've been eating clean and exercising for just over two months now and was disappointed about only losing 10 pounds. My SO took pictures on day one & day 60 and there is definitely a noticeable change for the better! Keep up the great work - you look amazing!
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#2
The Number On The Scale Doesnt Tell The Whole Story
#3
You Know What The Main Difference Is Between These Two Photos? Besides The Underwear It's My Confidence
#4
"Screw The Scale, It Legitimately Means Nothing. It Has Never Reflected My Healthiness Or Fitness Level At All"
Blackjack JK 6 years ago
people need to understand that weight means nothing when you are fit. it just means muscle which weighs more than fat but when you are bigger i mean morbidly obese weight means a whole lot. just saying
#5
Reminder That Long Term Consistency Trumps Short Term Intensity
Laura w 6 years ago (edited)
Except that cardio (about 20 mins per day) helps your heart and lungs to stay healthy, makes you less prone to several types of cancer and most likely will help you avoiding neurodegenerative diseases when you're older. Not saying you shouldn't be doing weight lifting, but looking fit isn't the same as being fit and healthy.
#6
Don't Forget That The Scale Means Absolutely Nothing
#7
We Are Giving The Scale Too Much Power Over Us
#8
Heavier, Healthier And Proud
#9
The Scale Doesn't Always Tell Us The Truth, But Pictures Do
#10
My Body Composition Is Completely Different Through I Weigh Eight Pounds More Now
Patty cake ;3 6 years ago
It doesn't matter what you look like, as long as you're happy! Also good for you! :)
#11
They Say It Takes 21 Days To Create A Habit. It’s That Habit Of Discipline And The Determination Of Wanting To Create A Healthier Life For Myself That Has Been The Backbone Of My Training The Last Two Years
#12
2014- Burnt Chicken Nugget 2018- Gardein Chicken Nugget
incoherent screaming 6 years ago
Actually really like your face on the first pic, nice tattoos though
#13
"There Was Nothing Wrong With My Body. But There Was Everything Wrong With The Way I Viewed It, And How I Treated It"
#14
7 Years On, 7 Rounds Of Bbg Down And About 7 Kg Heavier
#15
What You See On That Scale Is Not A True Indicator Of Your Health
#16
2 Years Later And An Entirely Different Body Composition. Just To Prove That
#17
I Started To Care Less About What I Weighed, And More About How I Felt
SunflowersAreGold 6 years ago
And that is the key to a healthier, happier body. Focus on how you feel.
#18
Don't Be Afraid To Gain Weight, Build Muscle And Eat More Food
#19
Eat Healthy, Train Hard, Sleep Well And Give Your Body The Time It Needs To Transform From The Inside Out
#21
Why Are We So Hung Up On How Much We Weigh?
#23
So I’ve Been Working On My Nutrition For The Last 13 Weeks
#24
"One Year Ago, Weight Was Everything. But Honestly, My Perspective Is Shifting "
#25
Proof That Just Because You Weigh More Doesn’t Mean You’ve Got Fat
SunflowersAreGold 6 years ago
Does anybody have any tips on how to start a habit and stick with it? Especially healthy eating and running. I've been having a hard time sticking to them.
#26
It Gave Me Routine That Still Embodied Balance And Diversity
#27
I Started This Program As A Birthday Gift To Myself And It Was The Best Thing I Have Done For Myself All Year. January 1 I Set Out To Lose 20 Lbs. I Haven't Done That. This Is What I Did Instead
#28
Yeah, I’m Gonna Stop Using A Scale
#29
"Three Years Ago I Decided To Make Fitness A Priority Because I Was Tired Of Looking In The Mirror"
#30
"Throw Out The Scales. Your Weight Doesn't Matter"
#32
Transformation
#33
Weight Is Just A Number, You’ll Be A Happier Person Once You Realize That
#34
"I've Been Able To Track My Journey And Every Time I See Old Pictures It Gives Me So Much Perspective!"
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What do you think ?
Nora H. 6 years ago
Hmm.. well, I actually think most of these women look perfectly fine and NORMAL in the before pics. It's great to be in good shape, but I think this post is making a lot of normal healthy women look (and maybe even feel) bad. The after pics are of women, for whom fitness is a lifestyle, who have the time, money and opportunity to focus a whole lot on their training. Obsessing over fitness is not necessarily healthy. And women are meant to have a certain amount of body fat by nature. Just stay healthy and happy, and maybe stop focusing so much on your looks.
Nia Loves Art 6 years ago
I agree that the way you look isn’t the most important thing. I do admire these women though for the work they put in and am glad that they did what made them feel happy about their bodies.
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Randomcthulu 6 years ago
Muscle is 3x denser than fat, so of course you weight more once you shift to fit vs skinny fat
George Beckingham 6 years ago
I've seen ads for weight loss/muscle gain products where they use every trick in the book to exaggerate the difference. In the before pics, the people are always pale, slouching, shot in harsh direct light. In the after pics, they're flexing, spray-tanned, shot in light that enhances their muscle tone. The difference in appearance far exceeds the actual fat loss/muscle gain.
Full Name 6 years ago
I watching a YouTube video where a shredded guy does the "after" pic, then stuffs himself with pop and salty/fatty chips and then takes the "before" photo a couple hours later and looks way worse.
Load More Replies... Nora H. 6 years ago
Hmm.. well, I actually think most of these women look perfectly fine and NORMAL in the before pics. It's great to be in good shape, but I think this post is making a lot of normal healthy women look (and maybe even feel) bad. The after pics are of women, for whom fitness is a lifestyle, who have the time, money and opportunity to focus a whole lot on their training. Obsessing over fitness is not necessarily healthy. And women are meant to have a certain amount of body fat by nature. Just stay healthy and happy, and maybe stop focusing so much on your looks.
Nia Loves Art 6 years ago
I agree that the way you look isn’t the most important thing. I do admire these women though for the work they put in and am glad that they did what made them feel happy about their bodies.
Load More Replies... Randomcthulu 6 years ago
Muscle is 3x denser than fat, so of course you weight more once you shift to fit vs skinny fat
George Beckingham 6 years ago
I've seen ads for weight loss/muscle gain products where they use every trick in the book to exaggerate the difference. In the before pics, the people are always pale, slouching, shot in harsh direct light. In the after pics, they're flexing, spray-tanned, shot in light that enhances their muscle tone. The difference in appearance far exceeds the actual fat loss/muscle gain.
Full Name 6 years ago
I watching a YouTube video where a shredded guy does the "after" pic, then stuffs himself with pop and salty/fatty chips and then takes the "before" photo a couple hours later and looks way worse.
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
