camera

So I did it, I convinced myself to stand before a camera in nothing but some short shorts and a sports bra. The justification behind this task you may ask? To have a complete photographic journal of my transformation. I mean what is an “after” photo without a “before” photo right?

I must admit when I put on my outfit I felt pretty good and very in control and then it all faded away with the click of a button! I looked at my camera’s view finder and realized that I look much different than how I feel.

I know that most of you will hope to scroll through this post trying to find it, but please spare you middle mouse ball finger the effort. I have decided not to post the pictures until I see a bit of progress and I have made a pledge to take them standing in the same spot/outfit once a month. The will appear whether I like it, or not on February 28th.

While I must say I didn’t per-say ENJOY taking the photos, I really did get a lot out of the experience. I looked at each photo very closely and envisioned the new me alongside the old me. I regained my sense of control and confidence and I am so excited to see and share my progress.

Before we get started here, I want to note that I’m not one of those annoying people that will duck out of photos or run from the camera. I understand that pictures are memories and as much as we may not like ourselves in them, they are good to have to reflect on over the years. My theory is to take as many as I can now and that way when I’m done my transformation and I’m submitting my photos to Oxygen magazine I will have LOTS of “before” pictures to choose from.

I’m sure that some of you can relate to all of the steps that go into having your picture taken: sucking it all in, angling your body just so, fixing your hair and lastly, smiling the perfect smile. As soon as the flash goes off, all of us are behind the camera, judging how everyone looks and whether or not that photo should be deleted.

There is noting worse than seeing a photo that contains that extra roll you gained over the holidays while you stand amongst your skinny friends. Or how about that candid photo taken while you weren’t sucking it in that your friend decides to tag you in on Facebook?

My husband and I were chatting last night and I said ” I wonder what it would be like if someone could take your picture and the camera automatically took off 50 pounds? I think it would be so motivating to see what I would look like.” Why hasn’t someone thought of this yet?

Anyways, what I really wanted to get to was an experience I had a few years back. Keep in mind that this is still camera shy me talking.

I had decided that I wanted to do something special for my husband on his birthday the year that we had gotten married. I had a few girlfriends that were in the same boat and they had decided on doing boudoir photo shoots. When they got their photos back I was in awe, they were beautiful (keep in mind that one of them actually models professionally). So I thought why not? I should conquer my fears and just go for it. So I did, I booked a shoot with one of my wedding photographers and to my surprise, it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I got my photos back and I fell in love with myself again, something I have always had a bit of a hard time doing. I felt beautiful, sexy and confident even in plus size lingerie.

If you are pondering the idea, or thinking that you will wait until you are “skinny” – don’t, I promise that it will be the best thing you will ever do for yourself.

I am excited to be on this journey through health and fitness and I can’t wait to be able to do another boudoir shoot in 2013 that reflects my new physic. I am going to enter a contest to win a boudoir shoot today and If I win I am going to book a date and work my way towards it.