Unflattering photos ‘act as weight loss motivation’

Nearly half of women make up their mind to lose weight after seeing themselves in an unflattering photograph, the latest figures suggest.

A new poll of women carried out by Eat Water and seen by Digital Hub shows that 42 per cent of the 1,000 women surveyed began their weight loss regime after seeing an unflattering picture.

Other weight loss stimuli included passing a shop window or mirror and being shocked at their reflection, as well as realising a favourite pair of jeans no longer fit, or having to buy a bigger dress size when shopping.

A spokesman for Eat Water said it is “all too easy” for people to become complacent with their body shape and size, and think they are doing okay, when the reality is that they are carrying a few extra pounds.

He added: “A photograph can be like a bolt from the blue – often people are absolutely flabbergasted that they could have let things get so bad.”