The picture, shown below, was to recognize the appealing advertising efforts of drug, supplement, and diet programs. Highlighting the drastic and alluring differences in "Before and After" photos that attract a consumer to purchase these products.
My hope was two-fold:
1. Educate consumers on the truth behind pictures associated with weight loss products. Many people will view a photo, believe they too will reap the benefits of the product and will purchase them without truly knowing the risks they may cause. Many of these before and after photos also advertise the short amount of time it will take to reach their desired physique. Unless you're Superwoman who trains with Thor, you are not going to see healthy, long term results quickly. A lifestyle of whole foods and activity will produce real and sincere results but will...take...time.
2. The people in those photos are...people. A fitness model doesn't walk around looking like he/she popped out of a magazine nor should they. Fit individuals get bloated, they have a rat nests of hair, they get puffy, they get wedgies. I am in the process of truly accepting all this delightful stuff myself. If you're looking for a change and look to photos like these for motivation, be careful. The pictures are designed to look perfect...not candidly realistic.
Photos are encouraging but should be taken with a grain of salt. Instead of focusing on aesthetic values, focus on...value. Sincere confidence. A new, positive outlook. Shiny hair. Swinging your legs out of bed. Keeping up with your energetic dog. Strong teeth. Poise and self-assurance. Improved relationships.
And my personal favorite: appreciation and amazement at what the human body is capable of.
Transformation takes time and it will never be perfect. Accept and recognize that you may be a fit person but you are still a person.
Perfectly flawed and beautifully blemished.
