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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 7 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!
David Hampton 5 years ago
I'm not saying your weight is important or that or anything negative about anyone in the pics or otherwise but I'm sorry to burst any bubbles but this is one of the biggest loads of c**p I've ever seen. I'm talking about the before ad after weights if the pictures are in fact representative of these girls at each weight. Just using the first girl as an example and using logic for anyone who knows about this kind of thing. It says 135 to 153. So, even going on the most possible conservative side she's lost at least 15 pounds of water and fat in the 153 pic. I think 20 at least but using 15. She was 135 take off 15=120lbs. What they are essentially is that she changed her body make up, in other words she gained muscle and lost fat and water. This would mean she gained 33lbs of muscle. Does anybody know what 33 lbs of muscle on especially would look like? Let's say a lifetime of training , proper and diet and extra strength supplements. She'd be a friggin tank in the second pic. Crazy
Amina Hays 7 years ago
She only lost 2Ibs and she looks like that?! She looks so much smaller.
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#2
The Number On The Scale Doesnt Tell The Whole Story
Captain Planet 7 years ago
True, the number on the scale doesn't tell you that int he right picture: She uses a more flattering pose, use a proffesional camera with fill flash, holds her breadth/belly in, wears a more sexy less revealing bathing suit.
Nia Loves Art 7 years ago
She is in much better shape though. Look at her arms in both pictures. Part of it is posing but she has clearly been working out.
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shivang singh 7 years ago
U mean the shadow of the guy taking the picture?
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#3
You Know What The Main Difference Is Between These Two Photos? Besides The Underwear It's My Confidence
Liesa Yopp 7 years ago
The right glasses can make a huge difference for a persons looks. You can't just go by buy the cheapest or because "ooh the frames are so CUTE!" You have to take into consideration your face shape and hair cut. Its a mistake i see a lot of folks do and its sad because its completely avoidable.
rosalía yi 7 years ago
you know that women can still be insecure even if men think they're hot, right?
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bring on the internet warriors 6 years ago
k she was already skinny as f**k in the first photo
Catherine Todd 6 years ago
I live in Guatemala, where women are NOT judged by their weight or thinness. People here are judged by their CHARACTER and PATIENCE and GOODNESS to others. Wish our culture was the same. This young woman looks great in BOTH PHOTOS. There is so much more to us than how much we weight or how we look, and one day America will learn the difference. But good going to this young woman!
#4
"Screw The Scale, It Legitimately Means Nothing. It Has Never Reflected My Healthiness Or Fitness Level At All"
Blackjack JK 7 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
Arwen Gunter 6 years ago
The point is that this feeling of hopelessness in the face of the scales is just as much a problem for obese people as skinny people when trying to lose weight. Muscle weighs more than fat for obese people too. You've not only missed the entire point of the article, but have engaged in fat shaming. Fat people have enough problems without being constantly judged for it. You know why I hate gyms? Because of the sneers of fit people judging me for being in their fit gym, trying to get fitter and lose weight. And here, someone posts an article purely designed to motivate and inspire people to get fitter and healthier, in which literally every person featured is a healthy weight in the 'after' photo, and you ignore that and feel the need to point out that fat people are still fat. Like they're stupid just because they're fat. So patronising.
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Kent Grigsby 7 years ago
Muscle tissue weighs more than fat tissue. You may weigh more but you are more toned and probably eating better and healthier in general. It is correct, don't chart your health by your weight (unless you are for example 5'2" and weigh 160)....there are certain common sense tells that you shouldn't ignore but everyone is entitled to be the "weight" they are comfortable with.
Soco Cybelle 7 years ago
Well, it's only one kg...The girl looks the same, just in a different pose.
Whitney Smith 7 years ago
Uhh.. no. She looks much healthier and more fit.
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#5
Reminder That Long Term Consistency Trumps Short Term Intensity
Laura w 7 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.
Thomas Turnbull 6 years ago
Why do people need to have their phones in the picture could they not get someone else to take the photo instead of using their phone in a mirror.
#6
Don't Forget That The Scale Means Absolutely Nothing
Catherine Todd 6 years ago
This beautiful young woman looks great in both pictures, and like a very lovable person. It's just a shame that in America women are judged so severely on their looks. We are so much more of the things that really matter!
Dre Mosley 7 years ago
All about body composition. X amount of pounds of muscle is gonna look fitter and better than X amount of pounds of body fat. Take a break from the freaking cardio machines and pick up some weights. Bet many of the women featured here were heavily into cardio and dieting for years and continued to look like their BEFORE pic then they discovered strength training and eating enough of the right foods.
#7
We Are Giving The Scale Too Much Power Over Us
Catherine Todd 6 years ago
We are given too much power over "LOOKS" period. CHARACTER is what REALLY COUNTS! This looks like a really sweet girl in both photos.
DotC 6 years ago
A lot of these girls are young, too. Baby fat must not weigh a lot. So glad strong is important to young people. Not just pretty. When I was 125lbs, I was not thin but I was 20 years old and had decent muscle tone under there. I dont look a lot different at 145lbs but I am 49 years old now with a lot more muscles.
David Hampton 5 years ago
The rest are at least in the realm of possible but the 135 to 153 girl is total and complete c**p. If the pics are representative of her weight at the time I'd bet everything I own or will own and throw in a kid. I'd even give a 10 pound spread without hesitation. Shes lost a minimum of 15 in the 2and pic and weighs 18 more. Hmm. So shes gained 33 pounds of muscle, lol. Shed be a freaking tank. Do you know what 33 lbs of muscle looks like on a woman? Thatd be well over a lifetime of perfect diet and consistent training natural.Even with sauce a girl isn't normally gonna gain that much more than 33 pounds in her adult life unless a one in a couple million genetic. Why not at least use numbers that are close to believable to those who know a bit about this stuff?
#8
Heavier, Healthier And Proud
Samantha Thompson 7 years ago
Love how the sports bra went from the Nike symbol to the word "Nike". XD
#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 7 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
Rubee Tubesteak 7 years ago
Belly button is tucked in her pants, and I think the "scar" is just a crease in her skin.
Load More Replies... #12
2014- Burnt Chicken Nugget 2018- Gardein Chicken Nugget
incoherent screaming 7 years ago
Actually really like your face on the first pic, nice tattoos though
Nia Loves Art 7 years ago
The face is the same, just turned to the side in the second one.
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#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
Rob Nelson 6 years ago
Kayla Itsines's Bikini Body Guide 12 week program includes three 28-minute HIIT workouts, three cardio sessions, and two recovery days each week.
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#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 7 years ago
And that is the key to a healthier, happier body. Focus on how you feel.
MeggersTheFox 7 years ago
Hey, I know it's random but I want to thank you for generally being a good person. I saw other nice and inspiration comments from you and I really like your name. I genuinely hope you've had a great day and will continue to have days just as good or even better. Happy early Christmas!
Load More Replies... #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?
#22
Transformation
#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 7 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.
Mihaela Axente 7 years ago
I felt dissapointed because I was also not able to stick to a healthy lifestyle. I would start a routine but then something would come up such a cold with fever or an infection. It was a vicious cercle there: I was not healthy so my immune system was weak. So, I took a piece of paper and wrote a set of rules, such as sleep 7 and a half- 8 hours, do not buy and eat anymore processed foods, cook as much as possible the food I eat, start a food diary for portion control. For exercise I wanted something I can do anytime and with no special equipment. So walking was a great exercise. I started walking 45 minutes to work (any other form of transportation took 30 minutes) so this was easily to do as it was next to an activity that I had to do daily. I also monitored how much I walked so in a few months I was walking 2 to 3 hours per day. In 10 months I dropped 20 kilos. :) it's important to stick to your feasible rules. Having an exception here and there should not discourage you :)
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#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
Nia Loves Art 7 years ago
Liked the first one better. Maybe donuts are a trigger though now that she is fit ; )
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#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. 7 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 7 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 7 years ago
Muscle is 3x denser than fat, so of course you weight more once you shift to fit vs skinny fat
George Beckingham 7 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 7 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... incoherent screaming 7 years ago
I actually have no idea how much i weigh, so there's an avoidance tactic
Daria B 7 years ago
The first time I did the big change and lost so much weight that people wouldn't recognize me on the streets anymore, I did it with sports and change of habits and my way of measuring my progress was not a scale and kg, it was a sewing ruler and cm.
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BusLady 7 years ago
In the after pics, many of these women look far too thin. Muscle is great, and they worked for it. But they also look starved, even anorexic. And a lot of them have strange poses in the after pics.
CbusResident 7 years ago
None of this makes weight meaningless, the women are all low in body fat, haven't gained much weight and the gains are muscle. If them women had gained 100 pounds, we'd know that's not all muscle, it would be from getting fatter and that would create massive but preventable problems for their health and life expectancy. Weight means a lot. Doctors use scales for a reason, they know more than the fat acceptance bloggers. If we insist the world listen to the consensus of expert scientists on climate change we also have to listen to the consensus of expert doctors on obesity. Fat acceptance is a path paved with good intentions that leads straight to hell.
diane a 7 years ago
Drs only use scales to a point. I worked in an eating disorder service - the scales lied
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Enuya 7 years ago
I know that's probably only my opinion, but in most cases I prefer "before" photos. Most of those girls are not fat or even overweight - they look healthy, beautiful and (usually) fit. The right ones have too much muscles. I can't judge, maybe it is good for them, but they look too concentrated on their new lifestyle to be truly happy and confident. Also, I don't really like too muscular people (general, not only women) - while I do appreciate their determination, for me (in most cases) they look more attractive on the left photos.
Magdalina777 7 years ago
I happen to actually dislike most if the 'after' pics:( I mean, they do show great work and determination and respect goes to these girls for that, I just feel like a slightly curvy(slightly:P) female body looks much better than absolutely angular op muscular one. Naturally if these girls feel happier that way though, they're going the right way. To me when you can clearly see abs on a girl it looks like someone's done wayyyy too much bodybuilding (I'm a girl) XD
Full Name 7 years ago
I couldn't agree more. They after pics are the equivalent of the guys who overdo the muscles. Fit/strong/healthy is good for a man but a gun show isn't. With the girls, thin/lean/healthy is good but having a lean man's body fat isn't good. Just tone up and get rid of the muffin top and that's enough. Soft curves are very feminine.
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A Dyke From The Dreamworld 7 years ago
People are looking to lose FAT, not WEIGHT most of the time.
Emily Waterpony 7 years ago
I'm about 140lbs overweight, I feel like I have to do cardio to change this, not just weightlifting. I had a trainer and she said I had to do cardio, but she also had a lot of outdated ideas about body work... None of these people started out overweight so I don't know what to think...
Lime 7 years ago
First of all, I'm no expert, this is just my personal experience - I used to be pretty chubby myself. I lost about 23 kg over ¾ of a year by just eating better (not necessarily a diet, just better food on general and limiting very unhealthy food) and cardio (ton of walks with my dog! and an occasional visit to the gym), with close to no weightlifting. So I think cardio, for starting when your main goal is weight loss, is sefinitely good. I see lighting more as a way for people who are already at their desired weight to kinda... Tone their bodies? I believe this is what most people in this article were doing :) Whether you decide to start with cardio, weightlifting, or both, I believe in you! You got this girl 💖🎀☺️
Load More Replies... Nora H. 7 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 7 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 7 years ago
Muscle is 3x denser than fat, so of course you weight more once you shift to fit vs skinny fat
George Beckingham 7 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 7 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... incoherent screaming 7 years ago
I actually have no idea how much i weigh, so there's an avoidance tactic
Daria B 7 years ago
The first time I did the big change and lost so much weight that people wouldn't recognize me on the streets anymore, I did it with sports and change of habits and my way of measuring my progress was not a scale and kg, it was a sewing ruler and cm.
Load More Replies... BusLady 7 years ago
In the after pics, many of these women look far too thin. Muscle is great, and they worked for it. But they also look starved, even anorexic. And a lot of them have strange poses in the after pics.
CbusResident 7 years ago
None of this makes weight meaningless, the women are all low in body fat, haven't gained much weight and the gains are muscle. If them women had gained 100 pounds, we'd know that's not all muscle, it would be from getting fatter and that would create massive but preventable problems for their health and life expectancy. Weight means a lot. Doctors use scales for a reason, they know more than the fat acceptance bloggers. If we insist the world listen to the consensus of expert scientists on climate change we also have to listen to the consensus of expert doctors on obesity. Fat acceptance is a path paved with good intentions that leads straight to hell.
diane a 7 years ago
Drs only use scales to a point. I worked in an eating disorder service - the scales lied
Load More Replies... Enuya 7 years ago
I know that's probably only my opinion, but in most cases I prefer "before" photos. Most of those girls are not fat or even overweight - they look healthy, beautiful and (usually) fit. The right ones have too much muscles. I can't judge, maybe it is good for them, but they look too concentrated on their new lifestyle to be truly happy and confident. Also, I don't really like too muscular people (general, not only women) - while I do appreciate their determination, for me (in most cases) they look more attractive on the left photos.
Magdalina777 7 years ago
I happen to actually dislike most if the 'after' pics:( I mean, they do show great work and determination and respect goes to these girls for that, I just feel like a slightly curvy(slightly:P) female body looks much better than absolutely angular op muscular one. Naturally if these girls feel happier that way though, they're going the right way. To me when you can clearly see abs on a girl it looks like someone's done wayyyy too much bodybuilding (I'm a girl) XD
Full Name 7 years ago
I couldn't agree more. They after pics are the equivalent of the guys who overdo the muscles. Fit/strong/healthy is good for a man but a gun show isn't. With the girls, thin/lean/healthy is good but having a lean man's body fat isn't good. Just tone up and get rid of the muffin top and that's enough. Soft curves are very feminine.
Load More Replies... A Dyke From The Dreamworld 7 years ago
People are looking to lose FAT, not WEIGHT most of the time.
Emily Waterpony 7 years ago
I'm about 140lbs overweight, I feel like I have to do cardio to change this, not just weightlifting. I had a trainer and she said I had to do cardio, but she also had a lot of outdated ideas about body work... None of these people started out overweight so I don't know what to think...
Lime 7 years ago
First of all, I'm no expert, this is just my personal experience - I used to be pretty chubby myself. I lost about 23 kg over ¾ of a year by just eating better (not necessarily a diet, just better food on general and limiting very unhealthy food) and cardio (ton of walks with my dog! and an occasional visit to the gym), with close to no weightlifting. So I think cardio, for starting when your main goal is weight loss, is sefinitely good. I see lighting more as a way for people who are already at their desired weight to kinda... Tone their bodies? I believe this is what most people in this article were doing :) Whether you decide to start with cardio, weightlifting, or both, I believe in you! You got this girl 💖🎀☺️
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 Times People Posted Incredibly Wholesome Before & After Pictures Online 155 Awesome Before And After Photos Of Men Who Underwent Full-On Makeovers 49 Fascinating Photos Revealing What The World’s Capitals Looked Like Way Before Modern Times
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