2008 before and after side by side

Dec 23 - Final pics for the Year of 2008

Did we reach our goals? No. Will we still fight to reach our goals? Absolutely!

Some stats:

Charles:
Began the year weighing 192
Ended the year weighing 160
Began the year with a waist measurement of 36
Ended the year with a waist measurement of 30.50


Bryony:
Began the year weighing 139
Ended the year weighing 124
Began the year with a hip measurement of 38.75
Ended the year with a hip measurement of 36
Began the year with a waist measurement of 26
Ended the year with a waist measurement of 24

Retouching

So this blog is partially about our fitness goals and partially about my photography efforts and learning. Part of that is retouching. So here is the picture of Bry from this month's fitness picture "retouched" (and more.) :)

Retouching is an interesting thing, ethically speaking, and it's at odds with the idea of posting a record of our achievements for physical fitness. That's partially why I so carefully point out that the progress pics have not been retouched. Certainly, retouching has it's place...and I don't think most people would have a problem with the idea of removing minor blemishes from a portrait.

Anyhow, the retouching interests me as much as the photography and is an art form in and of itself from a certain point of view.

Eight Months Later

Well, a lot has happened since the last time we posted. We've moved and...well...we got some cats. That's about it really...so I guess lots hasn't really happened.

Anyhow, one thing that did happen was TAXES!!! Grrr! I had to sell my camera and most of my equipment. I have just recently been able to purchase a new camera...so here's the latest pics...a few months late.

A few notes: These pictures have not been retouched in any way. The first month results had some color and eye effects...These are straight from the camera. Bryony wants to point out that she hasn't been able to tan yet...but she will before our final results. And no, we're not there yet. Though there is definitely some great improvement. We've had a few setbacks and, really, getting into the shape we're fighting for is HARD! But we're getting there and will try and have more regular updates. We have fun with the photo-shoots and work on the lighting and modeling skills (well, Bry works on her modeling skills...I just stand there and try not to look stupid.) The lighting kit I have isn't ideal...but I'm definitely learning stuff. I also don't have very great lenses right now. I also used much harsher light on my pics than on Bry's.

So, here they are:

Here's an alternate of Bryony that's a more standard results pose: (Note: this one has a minor amount of retouching on the face.)

1st Month Results

Well, here's the first month finished!

Okay, obviously the comparison isn't equal. The lighting's better, and the color is very different. And even moreso, we're standing up straight, flexing (in my case) and not looking depressed.

Forgive the imperfect photography. I'm still learning my lights. I have some blown highlights and whatnot...but hopefully I'll get better over the months.

Either way, I think the improvement of a single month is obvious. We're on our way to where we want to be - although results will certainly get harder to achieve as we go along.

Goals

So as people have looked at our 'before' pictures we've gotten a lot of "you look fine to me" sort of comments. Whereas we understand that different people have different expectations and ideas of what is acceptable, we also wanted to make it a bit clearer what our goals are.

Keep in mind, we don't feel like we're out of shape or unhealthy. That's not what this is about. We've been working out and eating basically right for many, many years now and we are in quite good health overall.

This is about a different goal. It's like a runner pushing him/herself to do the mile faster. Or a high-jumper adding a few extra inches to his/her leap. This is a goal we've set of self-improvement that goes way beyond just being normal, and the point, ultimately is like climbing a mountain. You do it because you want to and to prove to yourself that you can beat it!

Anyhow, here are some comparison pictures that show what our goals are. They also show us in profile which gives a slightly better idea of how in shape we are/aren't.

Princess Henrietta - Henri

It has been noted that we have been married for over ten years. We have not been able to have any children yet, as the Lord has not yet blessed our lives in that way. But we do have a dog. Her name is Princess Henrietta Woodsworths Nielson, or "Henri". She is a purebred Golden Retreiver and she is wonderful! She was born in Oct. 2006 and we got her just after Thanksgiving that same year, so she is now about 15 months old. Charles gave me puppy training classes as a birthday present that year and she learned lots. We have continued to work with her and teach her new tricks and she is a great learner. Whether that training sticks in her head when she meets new people is another thing altogether. For example, whenever she sees Grandma Danae, all thought goes out the door! However, she is getting better. She shows up all the other dogs when we take her to the store, not pulling on her leash and getting better every time about not jumping up on people. She can also do the trick where you put a treat on her nose and she won't take it until you tell her to. "Leave it" is one of her best tricks. She doesn't always catch the treat from her nose out of the air, but usually she does. She is a joy in our lives...most of the time -- having to go outside in zero degree weather and waiting for nature to take its course is certainly no picnic -- but we love her. She loves to sleep on our bed and warm out backs or feet and always wants to be near us. She also loves the snow. She will burrow her head under the fresh snow and either leave it there or continue to move forward with her head burried and make tunnels. She makes all who see it laugh.

Before Pictures

Well, Bryony and I have decided that we are going to get into fitness competition shape over the next 6 months. (Not that we're going to actually compete in a fitness competition...but we want to be in that good of shape). We set ourselves some very rigid standards and goals -- and if we meet the goals? DISNEYWORLD!

Anyhow, part of the plan is to do pictures every month. So here are the starting pictures..or 'before' pictures, if you will. They are embarrassing, but we did slouch, stick our bellies out as much as possible and look miserable. :) In future months we'll try and look as good as possible (suck in the gut, stand up straight, smile, etc...) Also, I just purchased a new stobe-lighting set for myself with umbrellas and softboxes, etc... Should improve the photography as well. I intend on using the pictures not only as a marker for how well we're doing, but also to learn studio photography and lighting better.