We have never been a big fan of ‘before and after’ photos here at rb5. They’ve become the done thing in modern fitness, especially in social media, and it’s often difficult to avoid them. Whether in advertisements, social media posts, or personal testimonials, these images are often presented as powerful evidence of success, transformation, and even happiness.
There’s a clear inspirational appeal to these and they can certainly provide a reminder of how far you have come. On weight loss journeys, the difference can be striking and that immediate visual is really pleasing. However, despite their widespread appeal, these photos can be misleading and problematic in numerous ways and we try to get people to avoid them when starting their fitness journey. No fitness journey is the same and no-one has the exact same end result so getting out of the mindset of a tight end goal is really important. While there is no harm in celebrating those milestones, the perception of a set before/after can be damaging long term.
1. They Oversimplify the Weight Loss Journey
Weight loss is rarely as simple as the photos suggest. Many before and after images depict dramatic transformations but fail to show the months or years of struggle, setbacks, and emotional challenges that come with the process. They also neglect the broader context—such as the person’s lifestyle, support systems, or medical interventions—that may have contributed to the change. It’s rarely a case of point A to point B.
2. They Promote an Unrealistic Standard of Success
These photos often present a narrow definition of success: a thinner, more conventionally attractive body. This reinforces the harmful idea that weight loss is the ultimate goal and that a smaller body is inherently better. In reality, health and well-being are much more complex and cannot always be measured by weight alone. Also, a lot of these photos are often taken to stress a specific timeline, such as ‘look what I achieved in just 6 months’. While impressive, this is not realistic for all and your idea of success shouldn’t be tied to someone else’s calendar.
3. They Can Encourage Unhealthy Behaviours
Before and after photos can foster an unhealthy obsession with appearance and weight loss. People may resort to extreme diets, overexercise, or even disordered eating behaviors to achieve similar results. In some cases, the pressure to maintain an “after” image can lead to anxiety and feelings of failure if weight gain occurs later. There are ups and downs on a fitness journey. The pursuit of a clear image can lead people down dark paths and the before/after system presents what is essentially a milestone as the final stop. It doesn’t work like that.
4. They Ignore Other Health Markers
Focusing solely on physical appearance overlooks other crucial aspects of health, such as mental well-being, energy levels, strength, and overall happiness. A person may look thinner in an “after” photo but might be struggling with nutritional deficiencies, stress, or an unsustainable lifestyle. You may also not be losing as much weight as you might want but you may be finding your daily life much easier or having a better outlook overall and this isn’t easily reflected in an image.
5. They Often Lack Authenticity
As we said, these images are taken for social media. While this practice has slowed down, many before and after photos are staged or edited to embellish the contrast between the two images. Differences in lighting, posture, clothing, and angles can create a misleading sense of transformation and can lead you chasing fiction, not reality. With the rise of fitness influencers, these tactics can be used to sell supplements and fitness programs and this is why these sorts of images can be hard to trust.
A Better Approach to Health and Fitness
Instead of relying on before and after photos as a measure of success, it’s much healthier long term to focus on smaller achievements and holistic goals, such as improved strength, endurance, mental well-being, and self-confidence, which can provide a more balanced and sustainable approach to health.
Before and after photos may seem inspiring on the surface, but they often reinforce harmful narratives about weight, health, and self-worth. It’s time to move beyond these images and embrace a more inclusive, realistic, and compassionate view of well-being. To get help starting your fitness journey the right way, sign up for a 7 day trial and we’ll work with you to craft a fitness program specifically for you.
