What Would I Look Like Thinner App

young woman trying to fasten her trousers

Technology can help us visualize how we will look like when losing weight.

Image Credit: nito100/iStock/GettyImages

How would you like to get a glimpse of your future self, minus 20 pounds? Well, thanks to technology, you can use a weight loss simulator to see what you may look like once you hit your target weight. While the after picture is not a guarantee, they certainly are worth checking out.

Visualize You App

Most people start out on their weight loss journey full of enthusiasm to shed some pounds and get fit. Unfortunately, if things don't progress the way they expected, many will lose the motivation to keep pushing forward, and eventually, throw in the towel. That's when using an app or weight loss simulator may come in handy.

There are several online virtual weight loss programs that allow you to see what you might look like after losing weight. One app, in particular, the Visualize You app, seems to be the leader in weight loss simulator programs. According to their website, the Visualize You app transforms a current picture of you to a self-defined "goal weight." In other words, you can use your phone to transform a picture of yourself at 175 pounds to see what you might look like at 145 pounds.

The goal of an app like this is to motivate you to stay committed to your health and weight loss journey. While Visualize You uses your current height, weight, and picture, there is never a guarantee that you will look like the after photo. Which means, if you're going to include a weight loss simulator or app, make sure you understand the limitations, and think of it as one of the many tools you can use to stay motivated.

Other Weight Loss Simulators

In addition to the Visualize You app, there are a number of online programs that also give you the option of seeing a thinner version of yourself. Change in Seconds has a virtual weight loss simulator that uses your height, weight, body type (apple, hourglass, pear) and your goal weight. While the image is not of you, they have a virtual model that displays a current image of you and what you may look like at your goal weight.

Model My Diet is another virtual body simulator program that uses your body type, current weight and goal weight to display a virtual image of you at your desired weight. One of the benefits of this site is they have a program for men and women.

Like the Visualize You app, these weight loss simulators have limitations, especially since the image you see is a model, not a photo of you. That's why it's important to use these programs in moderation. If you feel that you're getting too focused on the "after" image they display, you may want to take a step back and spend your energy focusing on your daily habits of moving more and choosing healthy foods to fuel your body.

Tips for Losing Weight

The internet is full of quick weight loss tips and tricks that promise to deliver some impressive results in a short amount of time. Quite often, what these claims forget to mention is that any type of rapid weight loss that requires you to drastically change your lifestyle, is likely to be short-lived. In fact, the Mayo Clinic recommends a weight loss of one to two pounds a week since it is more likely to help you maintain your weight loss for the long term.

With that in mind, a good place to start is with your diet. Take inventory of how you eat, how much you eat and how often. Choose three days to log your meals and see if certain patterns emerge. Look for red flags such as excess processed food and sugar, not enough protein, too many calorie-laden beverages and not enough fiber.

The American Academy of Dietetics says the best way to fill your dietary needs is to enjoy nutrient-rich foods from a variety of food groups. Choose from lean protein sources such as fish, whole-grains, low-fat dairy and plenty of fruits and vegetables. The next step is to reduce the number of calories you eat in a day. Generally speaking, reducing your total calories by 250 to 500 each day can help you lose up to one pound a week.

Finally, including physical activity in your day can boost your health and lead to greater weight loss. Aim to exercise five days a week with a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training. By reducing your caloric intake and burning an extra 250 to 500 calories a day, you can lose up to two pounds a week.

In addition to sweating it out on a cardio machine, the American Council on Exercise stresses the importance of weight training for weight loss and recommends using an integrated approach that includes lifting weights at a moderate to heavy intensity, using circuit training and supersets, and lifting heavier weights.