From Roseanne Barr to Jennifer Aniston in 30 days (How NOT to take "Before and After" photos)

If you're starting the Paleo Challenge, tonight you have a task: take photos and measurements.  It doesn't take long, but makes a HUGE difference.  It will motivate you, and you will hate yourself if you make big improvements but don't have "the proof".

First, let's look at how NOT to do it.  You've seen BS "Before and After" photos before -- where the changes look impossible?  Yeah, well it's possible...with a little clever photography.  I call it The Roseanne Aniston Method -- from Roseanne Barr to Jennifer Aniston in 30 days.  Here's how to do it. 

Before (Roseanne Barr)

1. Take the photo in dim lighting
2. Don't smile, look grumpy (like you just screamed at Dan), and have poor posture
3. Get an 80's haircut
4. Wear awesomely ugly clothes, and layer them on

After (Jennifer Aniston)

1. Take the photo in good lighting (bonus points for taking it from a different angle)
2. Smile, look happy, and have confident posture!
3. Get a good haircut
4. Wear fashionable clothes

If you follow all these rules, you'll have a SmartWater endorsement in 30 days or less, guaranteed.  OR YOUR MONEY BACK!!!

The Roseanne Aniston Method

  Before                                                      After

Note: if you're already fit, then take the "After" photo FIRST, then eat poorly and do nothing for 30 days, then take the "Before" photo SECOND...easy!  If all else fails, learn how to use photoshop -- a great way to touch up your self-image.

Touch up your self-image with Photoshop!

Okay, let's get real.  Measurements are really important, so here's how to start.

Take Photos

This is an excerpt from Robb Wolf's excellent book, The Paleo Solution:

1. Take photos in the same clothing.  Make the clothing formfitting where appropriate.  Nonexistant clothing is even better.
2. Get front, side, and back photos.
3. Get a close-up of your face, both frontal and profile.
4. Update photos weekly and make sure to label them with the date if your camera does not automatically do this.
5. Stand in the same place when taking the photos.

Here's an example of good photos.

Weight / Body Fat

I don't weight myself often (I don't own a scale anymore), but you should weigh yourself.  Keep in mind that it's possible to lose weight by losing muscle and lean body mass (BAD), and to stay steady or gain weight by putting on muscle and lean body mass (GOOD).  Body fat percentage is a more honest measure of body composition.  

Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR)

1. Measure the narrowest part of your waist
2. Measure the widest part of your hips
3. Divide waist by hip, and you've got your WHR

Men, shoot for 0.9, women shoot for 0.7.

Okay, that's it.  You can get blood work done too, but that takes a lot more advance planning and knowledge.  Now go take those photos!