GLP-1 progress photos: tracking visual change
GLP-1 medications can change your body quickly, which makes a consistent visual record especially useful, for you and your clinician.
Short answer
Take front, side and back photos weekly on the same day (many people choose injection day morning), log bodyweight and waist, and add arms and thighs monthly. Compare every four weeks. Track shape, not just weight, and talk to your prescriber about protein and strength training to protect muscle.
A weekly routine
- Same morning each week, before eating.
- Front, side and back, relaxed, with the ghost overlay.
- Bodyweight and waist.
- Monthly: arms, thighs, chest.
- A note when anything changes, such as a dose change, illness or a new routine.
Weekly photos show shape, not just weight. Illustrative example photos.
Why track more than weight
In the STEP 1 trial, semaglutide 2.4 mg led to an average weight loss of about 15% over 68 weeks; in SURMOUNT-1, tirzepatide at the highest dose averaged about 21% over 72 weeks. Body composition substudies found that a meaningful share of the weight lost was lean mass, which is why clinicians often recommend adequate protein and resistance training. Measurements of arms and thighs alongside your waist, and photos of shape, help you and your clinician see the full picture.
Face and skin
Fast weight loss can show in the face. If that matters to you, add a custom “Face” label with consistent light and a neutral expression.
What ProgressLens doesn’t do
It doesn’t log doses, side effects or medical data, and it isn’t medical advice. Use your pharmacy or a medication app for doses and follow your prescriber.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When should I take my first GLP-1 progress photo?
Before your first dose, or as soon as possible. A baseline photo is the one you’ll value most.
How often should I take photos on a GLP-1?
Weekly on the same day, compared every four weeks.
Sources
- Wilding JPH et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med 2021
- Jastreboff AM et al. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity (SURMOUNT-1). N Engl J Med 2022