Accountability and Half Naked Selfies
Accountability in Bodybuilding (well in anything really) is all about the things that are measurable.
In this case, that means weight, inches and visual presentation. This also means taking pictures of yourself in your underwear or bikini and sending it to your coach — also known as progress pics.
When you’ve already got some body image issues, this can mess with your mind just a little. The first time I did this, I had joined a 90 day challenge. I’ve seen transformation pics on Instagram in the past so they idea is very clear to me and actually does make sense. While we can weigh ourselves and even use a measuring tape to see how many inches body parts have changed, seeing an actual photo shows real results (if they aren’t filtered or photoshopped but let’s save that one for another day).
I remember pulling on a pair of boy short underwear the first time. More coverage seemed like the best idea. I topped it with a black sports bra, balanced my phone on a plastic 3-drawer cart I keep in the living room to hold dog things, and pressed the record video button. The video option is the easiest because you can just screen shot the exact moments you are trying to capture.
The first look at the video was an eye opener.
Let me say, I am not overweight. The time I was taking that pic I weighed about 129 pounds. But for some reason, I didn’t realize how out of shape I actually looked. I mean, I went to the gym regularly. I ate a vegan diet. Where did this belly come from?
So here I am, a little over a year later, and I’m pulling on a black bikini bottom and matching top and finding just the right lighting to take these body selfies.
I have changed a lot since last year.
The 90 day challenge led to a 10 pound weight loss and since that time I reverse dieted into a maintaining weight and even began a slight surplus. Either way, I still noticed every dimple, I noticed that I hadn’t made the kind of gains I thought I was making, and I also noticed I really am as white as the new fallen snow.
I sent the photos. We’ll see where I go from here. Apparently I am supposed to do this weekly. Right now that feels a little overwhelming, but it’s just one small step in the process I guess.
Maybe if I do it enough I get desensitized to seeing myself almost naked? Kind of like during childbirth when every nurse, tech and janitor comes in and peers at your vagina. At least I don’t need to send those kind of pics.