Well I ain't down with that.....cause my waist is small and my curves are kickin'.......
You get the idea!
Well, if you’ve been reading my blog for awhile you know I have a little “issue” with the lower half of my body. You can read all about my TREE TRUNK LEGS here. I hate the way I look in shorts and I hate to show my legs in pictures. Race pictures are the WORST! They get you at the worst angles and well gravity does nothing for you.
Last weekend was the Hospital Hill 10K and the race photos are in. I have never, EVER, had a good race pic from the professional photographers. Jim has managed to capture some good ones, but every time I look at the actual race pics I always wonder how they manage to make me look like I gained an additional 20 to 25 pounds. I seriously see the pics and think do I really look like that?
When Jim and I took our pre-race fun photos last weekend I looked at them and actually thought - wow, I don’t mind the way I look. All this working out is paying off. I actually look pretty fit in these pics and I didn’t mind sharing them at all. I know I'm not thin, but I look ok.
Then the race photos came out. They are better than some of my previous pics, but still….seriously…..what do they do to them to make them so bad? Don’t they want to sell these things?
Because I feel like my blogger friends are now part of my family I’m going to share a few with you. You should consider yourself lucky because I seriously don’t usually share these with anyone.
 |
Am I doing the robot? And seriously, where did the extra weight come from? |
 |
Getting a little too much across the body action here. I've been working on that. |
 |
Apparently when trying to keep my hands loose I think that means doing "Jazz hands"!! |
But I’m trying to get over my body image issues, and maybe this is a good first step.
Do you guys ever like your race photos? Or do you think they are awful too?
 |
Ahhhh........Done!! |
I think I've had some good ones but overall, they just stink! I try to get a pictures before and after the race. The ones standing still are usually the better ones. Haha!
ReplyDeleteMy race pics usually make me look really badass or like I'm in the worst pain of my life. And I also have an issue with my upper thighs.. just can't get rid of those last couple pounds, and I'm not willing to cut treats out of my diet.
ReplyDeleteI almost always hate my race pictures! I am completely with you on the legs thing, too. :( That seems to be my hardest area to change though :(
ReplyDeleteI have poor body image, too. I think that comes from a lot of things and unfortunately a lot of women have the same problem. My first instinct when looking at a picture of myself is, do I really look that fat?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Michael, you look awesome. I wouldn't see a picture like that and think "that girl needs to lose 20 pounds". We are always too critical of ourselves, especially when seeing photos of oneself. You are beautiful -- as we all are :O)
Secondly, I wonder why most of my race photos show my leg fat all flapping around. Seriously, it is like they capture it in slow motion and my legs are all distorted.
I finally have a decent picture or two from my last race. I just need to figure out how to post the pirated pictures on my blog.
i think you look STRONG and AWESOME in your race photos!! i haven't raced much, so i can't say that i know what i look like in race photos. i'm sure i'd have a "pained" expression on my face ( :
ReplyDeleteI don't like my race photos either. I have had one that I liked and I was on my bike. Otherwise, I think I like a doofus!
ReplyDeleteI think you look just AWESOME, sweetie.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a race photo of myself that I liked. I feel your pain! I have major thunder thighs. BUT I've worked hard for them with a million squats, so I ain't down with cosmo either :P
ReplyDeleteI don't think race pics are supposed to look great or glamorous (or so I keep telling myself because I have yet to see a good one of me). FWIW, I think you look great! I think we all have issues with our bodies. Mine is my stomach. It is what it is (and yet I still have issues). Hang in there. Keep running. And above all enjoy what you are doing and it is all worth it.
ReplyDeleteI hardly ever like my race photos! Usually, my face is so relaxed that it looks like my chin is hanging down to my knees. I'm sure it's mostly in my head, but yeah...I'm not a fan of my race photos either!
ReplyDeleteWhy are we so hard on ourselves??? I think u look strong and focused!!! I always hate my race photos. I think its their mission to take the most unflattering pictures possible!!!!
ReplyDeleteI usually loathe my race pictures. Loathe loathe loathe them. I'm with you on that.
ReplyDeleteI went and read your old post, too. Remind me never to say stuff like that to my kids or grandkids. My grandma was an amazing woman, I love love love her and wish she was still here, but she once told me my teeth were yellow and I'll never forget it. It sent me straight to the Crest white strips. Stuff like that is hard to outgrow.
ug. I hate every race picture I've ever been in.seriously skin and muscles moving around,just looks weird :)
ReplyDeleteI think you look strong in all of these, I've seen much worse....like all of mine (except for one). It's hard to make good faces and run. It just means you're working hard :)
ReplyDeleteI am loving those pre-race poses!! Your guy is a good sport! I totally would not mind if the race photographers glossed over my pics with some photoshop action. I completely agree with you about how I always look bigger and nastier.
ReplyDeleteYou look great, though!
I almost always hate my race photos. I either have tree trunk legs or a terrible face or somethhing else. I think they try to get bad ones of me at this point!
ReplyDeleteI think your pre race photos are adorable though!
When I see that you have a new post I always smile. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI think you are being too sensitive and seeing what isn't there! I sometimes like my race photos but often not the money involved. I mostly hate the fake smile I do or frown because I don't want to fake smile.
Let's face it - none of us are looking our prettiest during a race. Running is hard. Running hurts. I know I don't look great when I'm hurting. I'm also a really ugly crier.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen a video? Don't it is way way worse then the still's! :) And you totally must have been with me today. I was trying on shorts...the last few years I've not warn any short, unless I'm just hanging around the house. My thighs and knees are the worst and with the 30ish pounds I've lost they only got worse, more jiggly more cellulite looking. I actually bought two pairs today one that I might try for running in the early, early mornings and one pair of Bermudas that might make it out of the house.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way I really like the middle race picture!
In many, many years of racing, I have only had 1-2 that I would even consider buying. My form is always horrible, and my body has issues. Urgh! I've been working on my arm form for over a year now, and even now, as soon as i get tired, the arms are up way too high, and my thumbs are up. This is ALWAYS when they snap the shot.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry at all what Cosmo is saying about weight, haha I know what you mean about race photos, I am always afraid to check my race photos, for fear that some will be terrible. Overall I usually am pretty happy with what my photos look like. The only race that sometimes it is hard to look at my race photos is some of the SF marathon one's, because I remember how much I suffered at the end of that race, and my body just looks terrible.
ReplyDeleteI think your race photos are fine, the final home stretch of a race usually your form is all over the place, and you are just trying to survive to the finish.
I think your body is fine, someone called me "bones" last weekend, I wasn't sure whether or not to take it as a compliment or not, haha My body type is pretty much exactly like Jim, maybe a little skinnier, I'm 5'11" 160 lbs or so. So it seems like in other peoples eyes you can't win. Anyways, you are fine, and I wouldn't worry at all about it.
The first pro photo makes it look like you are running REALLY fast. I actually have one from my last race that I like because I noticed the camera and smiled. The rest of them are scary, though!
ReplyDeleteI have some pretty bag race photos also! I like the jazz hands...I tend to do the "this girl" point with my thumbs. I have no idea how it happens...
ReplyDeletefirst off. I think you look just fine. if you feel fine and you are happy and healty that is the most important. as a bonus you have got that awesome husband who thinks you are fabulous so hey the hell with cosmo!
ReplyDeleteRace pics...ahhh yes....well the last ones I do like them. I also have pretty poor body image. I used to weigh a lot more...70 lbs more..and I still see myself that way. I know it sounds crazy but I do. I can see that I am not big anymore but in my head I still am. With race pics it is hard because everything is moving..that does not help a gal!!!!
I don't like race pictures, I don't like regular pictures, I just don't like myself in pictures. I know...get over myself.
ReplyDeleteI love your robot picture. You are quite good.
Ugh...race pictures are the worst! Out of all of the races I've done, I think there were only like 2 pictures I actually liked!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOhhh Michael! You are soooo beautiful! You are way too hard on yourself. Not everybody was blessed with the body of a movie star... Most girls would KILL for curves. You are in incredible shape and are totally fit. You've got it goin' on! =) Love you!
ReplyDeleteLOL your comments on your race pics... funny. :) i usually only have 1 good race pic, if any. so i think it's just normal to look bad in them :)
ReplyDeletethe ones you and hubs took in the house are good! i like the last one where hubs is doing jazz hands to his leg (or something)
I have never liked my race photos and as result, have never bought 1 from any of my races. I have "tree trunk" legs as well. I'm super self conscious. NO shorts look good- ever. Nor do they fit- my legs are so big, but my waist is normal. whatever. At least our husbands love us regardless :)
ReplyDeleteAhhh Race photos are the absolute worst. Like seriously I look like a running buffalo in all of them. Worst thing ever for my self esteem!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your orange outfit and think you looked super cute and very fit in all of the pictures. Congrats on being brave and sharing!
I think you look hot! :) Way to go girl! Love the pre-race pictures... you're having fun and that's ALL that matters! Way to bring it!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought of the first pictures is that you look fast!! I have yet to see a race picture that I don't look like I have hips three feet wide. It seems like none of us like them.
ReplyDeleteI've never bought a picture from a race. They are horrible. They always get me with a half smile, or just about to raise my hand up to say 'rock on' or half a fist pump. I also believe they use those funhouse mirrors on their camera lens too. I swear they add lb's too!
ReplyDeleteNo worries...you look great!! And how awesome to see and feel results!!! That's the best!
That is so funny - I have the same thought all the time: "Do they really want people to buy these pictures?" Who do they hire to be photographers these days?
ReplyDeletei usually hate my race photos because i'm always making some crazy face at the camera...your pics turned out great!
ReplyDeleteHey, those aren't jazz hands, those are happy hands!! I don't think I've showed you guys my "thumbs up". Yep, I look like a total tool running with my thumbs up. It looks rediculous.
ReplyDeleteNow, on the body, I've had three kids. I've come to realize that my hips will only take me so far, so fast. This is just a fact. I also use to be REALLY HEAVY so I have all this extra skin on my legs which race photographers seem to LOVE to catch. I just enjoy winter photos that much more :)
You look great! We look like normal women, nothing wrong with that! :)
drill to remove jazz hands: pretend like you are carrying a potato chip in each hand and don't want to break it.
ReplyDeleterace photos - very rarely come out good and I don't buy them unless it's a big race or the first time I am doing the race.