Andrew Dixon is fed up with the “before and after” photos fitness and diet companies use to promote their products. As a personal trainer, Andrew’s gripe isn’t that people are getting in shape. Rather, he says the majority of transformation pictures are little more than smoke and mirrors.
“In my opinion, these photos are selling false or exaggerated promises of what 90 days, etc., of their program can achieve,” Andrew said in a Huffington Post article titled Seduced by the Illusion: The Truth About Transformation Photos. “Long-lasting results take years of consistency, hard work and dedication.”
To prove his point, Andrew shot his own fake before and after pictures in just one hour.
“I was around 185 pounds and about 16 percent body fat. I was feeling particularly bloated on the day, so I asked my girlfriend to take a before shot. I then shaved my head, face and chest and prepared for the after shot, which was about an hour after I took the before shot. I did a few push ups and chin ups, tweaked my bedroom lighting, sucked in, tightened my abs and BOOM! We got our after shot.”
A few months later, Andrew decided to take the challenge to the next level and portray how months of supposed weight loss can be photographed in less than one hour.
Andrew said his goal with both sets of pictures was simply to prevent people from feeling disappointed when they don’t achieve the quick-fix results shown in most before and after pictures.
“Forget about the quick transformations and focus on a life of healthy eating, well-managed stress levels, quality sleep and plenty of movement. Spend time with people who have similar goals and values and take time to appreciate yourself the way you are right now. Don’t beat yourself up if you eat a cookie, just enjoy that cookie and everything else life has to offer.”
