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Posted by u/grandma_gains路路Progress

F22, scrawny to strong: where are the progress photos?

TL;DR: Wondering if progress photos are still a thing for young lifters. My granddaughter has made great progress but doesn't want to document it.

I am a bit perplexed lately, and I hope some of you can share your experiences with recomping. As a retired teacher, I always believed in the power of visual evidence. You know, that feeling of pride you get when you see those before and after photos hanging on the wall? Well, I'm in my early 60s and I've lifted for fun my whole life, but seeing the changes in my physique has been enlightening.

My granddaughter, who is 22, has decided to embark on her journey from scrawny to strong. She started at 105 pounds and is now sitting at 120 pounds after six months, focusing on a balanced diet and a solid lifting regimen. She's been so dedicated, and yet when I ask her for photos, she just shrugs it off. It's as if she doesn't see the progress she's made.

I remember back in the day when I was training for strength, I used to take photos to document my progress. It was motivating, seeing the muscle definition change and knowing that all the hard work was paying off. Is it a generational thing? Are progress photos no longer the norm? I can't help but wonder if she'd feel more accomplished if she could visually see how far she's come!

What do you think? Should we encourage documenting our fitness journeys visually, or is it more about the numbers and the feeling you get from lifting? I would love to hear your thoughts, as I'm curious if this mindset has shifted for the younger crowd

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u/iifymyself路

I feel like documenting progress in some way is super helpful, whether it's photos or just noting down weights and reps. I use MyFitnessPal for tracking my macros, but I also take progress pics every month. It really keeps me accountable!

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u/aerobic_anomaly路

Honestly, if you're not tracking cardio or weight lifting, are you really training? Just numbers alone won't do it. But yeah, photos can help some people, while others might prefer just tracking their heart rate or calories burned. To each their own.

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u/whole30_hustler路

100! It's about finding what works for her! If it's not progress photos, maybe a weight log or a monthly check-in with a friend could do the trick. Just keep it positive, and she'll find her groove. 馃崗

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u/vegan_viking路

Honestly, if she finds joy in lifting and feels stronger, that's what really matters! Not everyone needs to document every step of the way with photos. Each person has their own motivation, some love sharing their journey, others just want to lift for themselves.

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u/zucchini_zapper路

For real! I remember my first year lifting, I took a pic and immediately regretted it. But now, those awkward photos remind me of how far I've come. It's about the journey and all those veggie meals too! 馃槀

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u/kettlebell_queen路

Totally get where you're coming from! Progress photos can be super motivating! They capture your hard work in a way numbers sometimes can't. If she's not into photos, what about keeping a journal? Tracking workouts and feelings can be just as rewarding! 馃摉

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u/whole30_hustler路

Yesss, this! I've seen so many people who don't take progress photos, and then they don't realize how much they've transformed. Maybe she just needs to see it for herself, even if she doesn't want to share it. A little self-reflection never hurts!

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u/vegan_viking路

Honestly, I think the focus on photos can sometimes lead to toxic comparisons. Everyone's journey is different, especially with body types and genetics. If she feels good and is getting stronger, that should be the priority, right? I'm all for self-love over visual evidence.

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u/late_night_lifter路

Yeah, but pictures can be a great way to track progress without the numbers! Maybe she just isn't a photo person. I mean, I lift at night, and no one's snapping pics then, lol. Just do what feels right for you!

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u/kettlebell_queen路

But what if she misses out on that rush of seeing tangible results? It can be a huge confidence boost! I mean, when I hit a new PR and capture it, it's like instant motivation. Progress is progress, whether it's numbers or photos!

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u/bro_split_babe路

Not everyone is gonna feel like taking gym selfies! Some of us are just there for the gains, not the gram. I get the nostalgia, but like... just lift and enjoy it, you know? 馃挭

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u/grandma_gains路

As a retired teacher, I've seen how important it is to celebrate progress. When I was training, those photos kept me motivated and reminded me of how far I had come. Maybe your granddaughter is just focusing on the feeling of lifting rather than the visuals. It's great that she's making gains, but I think sometimes seeing that change can really boost confidence. Have a conversation with her about it, maybe encourage her to document her journey in a way that feels comfortable for her.

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