Home / Guides / How to take progress photos on a GLP-1 that you can actually compare

Why photos are worth the effort

When you see yourself in the mirror every day, change is almost invisible. Photos taken weeks apart show what the scale cannot: posture, face shape, how clothes sit, where the change is happening. On a slow month, a side-by-side can be the thing that keeps you going. Many people say they wish they had taken a proper "before" on day one.

If you are about to start, take that first set before your first injection, even if you never plan to look at it.

The setup

• Same place. A plain wall with nothing behind you. Mark where you stand with a bit of tape on the floor.
• Same light. Daylight from the front or an overhead light, never a window behind you. The same time of day keeps it consistent.
• Same distance and height. Prop the phone on a shelf at chest height, or use a mirror at a marked spot. Use the timer rather than holding the phone.
• Same clothes. Fitted underwear or gym kit that you will keep wearing for these photos.
• Same time. First thing in the morning, before eating, avoids bloat and gives the fairest comparison.

The three poses

1. Front: feet hip-width apart, arms relaxed slightly away from your sides, looking straight ahead.
2. Side: turn 90 degrees, arms relaxed or folded in front, standing naturally rather than sucking in.
3. Back: facing the wall, same stance as the front.

Relaxed and natural every time. Posing or tensing in one set and not the next is the most common reason comparisons mislead.

How often

Every two to four weeks is enough. Weekly photos change too little to see, which can be discouraging. Milestones are a good extra prompt: your first 5 kg, a dose step, a dress size.

Keeping them private

These are some of the most personal images on your phone. The camera roll syncs to shared albums, pops up in "memories" and is one tap away when you hand someone your phone to show a holiday picture. Keeping progress photos in a separate, locked place avoids an awkward moment. If you ever share one, check the image for anything identifying in the background first.

How PepLevel handles it

PepLevel keeps progress photos in their own private store, on your iPhone and in your own iCloud, not in your camera roll. Take a photo with the in-app camera or upload one you already have, tag it front, side or back, and it is saved with the weight closest to that date.

The gallery on the Progress tab filters by pose. Compare mode lets you pick any two photos and drag a divider between them, with the date and weight shown on each side, which is far easier than flicking between images. When you pass a weight milestone, the app offers to mark it with a photo, once, and lets you dismiss it without fuss.

Turn on the optional Face ID lock in Settings and the whole app, photos included, stays hidden until you open it with Face ID. It also stays blurred in the app switcher. The photos never reach PepLevel's servers, because there are none holding your data.

Common questions

How often should I take progress photos on Mounjaro?

Every two to four weeks works well. Weekly photos change too little to notice, while a monthly set shows clear differences when compared side by side.

What is the best time to take progress photos?

First thing in the morning, before eating or drinking much, gives the most consistent results because you are least bloated and the conditions are easy to repeat.

How do I keep progress photos private on iPhone?

Keep them out of your main camera roll. An app with its own private photo store and a Face ID lock, such as PepLevel, keeps them out of shared albums and memories.

Private progress photos, side by side

Take or upload photos, then compare any two dates with the weight on each. Coming soon to the App Store.

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