It’s amazing to see more and more people embracing self-love. But self-love can look different for everyone—sometimes it means reading more, going on walks, getting extra sleep, or hitting the gym. Whatever form it takes, it’s all about taking care of yourself.
Some folks, however, took it to the next level with glow-ups so impressive they just had to share them online. Scroll down to see their incredible transformations and give them some well-deserved appreciation in the comments!
#1 Around A Year Between These Photos
I’ve been recovering from anorexia on my own.
Lately I’ve been struggling with my difference in weight and appearance, wanting to go back to being underweight. But I try to look and remind myself that I felt terrible in the before pic, could barely function and was basically not alive. Can’t say I’m a whole lot happier right now but it’s also hard to see the light within the dark. I did the thing and I did it on my own!
Image credits: nutterfluffs
#2 It Only Took 5 Years To Become A New Person
Lost >220 lbs, went back to school and got my BSN, lived in 3 different cities, dyed my hair for the first time, had my first kiss, developed several meaningful friendships, took a last minute solo trip to Hawaii. Survived the daily battle of wanting to give up and evade all tomorrows.
Image credits: MDROhoe
Wanting to change and become better as a person is both hard and exciting. It’s something so many of us dream about and look forward to, but actually starting and staying consistent is where it gets tricky.
I can’t even count how many times I’ve decided to turn my life around at 3 a.m., feeling unstoppable, only to wake up groggy and fall right back into old habits. It’s incredible how much effort real change takes once the initial spark fades.
#3 Not Sure If This Counts (32-33)
Therapy and my wife have been a life saver though and we’ve been working on taking care of myself now that I’m in a good headspace!
Image credits: cloudfangLP
#4 Lost 50kg (110lbs) In 18 Months After A Rugby Injury, Started Rowing For My University, Got My Msc In Mathematics
Image credits: Teddyzander
But even though we hear it all the time, glowing up isn’t an endless uphill climb or just another motivational cliché.
Anti-burnout coach Thalia-Maria Tourikis reminds us that a real glow-up doesn’t mean doing everything at once or chasing perfection. It comes from small, intentional steps that help you feel stronger, calmer, and more like yourself—and the outer change naturally follows.
#5 From Sad Dude (39) To Happy Lady (42)
Image credits: undercoverchloe
#6 12 - 24 Even My Family Doesn't Recognize Me These Days, It's Nice
Image credits: asionahaya
As Thalia explains on her blog, the term “glow up” was originally used to describe beauty makeovers, but today it carries a much deeper meaning.
While it still refers to transformation and improvement, it’s no longer limited to physical appearance. Glowing up now means stepping into the best version of yourself—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
#7 Difference 11 Months Can Make
Image credits: Dazzling-Artichoke71
#8 Made A Complete Turn In Life
Image credits: that-unicorn90
#9 I'm Hoping I Haven't Peaked Yet
Image credits: ImTired40
To avoid getting caught up in the toxic side of self-improvement, Thalia emphasizes that you’re the one who defines what your transformation looks like.
“My version means making my life 1% healthier and more balanced than the year before,” she says. “It’s about adopting certain habits that improve my daily well-being.”
#10 35 To 39. It's Been A Bit Surreal To Feel Like A Completely Different Person
Image credits: PatPetPitPotPut
#11 Here's A Small Comparison Of My Current Look With Old Me From Early 2020. The One That Suffered, Dealing With Some Serious Mental Health Problems
Image credits: reddit.com
#12 16 To 27 - Thank God For The Beard
Image credits: CapableCover2673
According to Thalia, the first step in any glow-up journey is shifting your mindset and making it a healthier one. “If you’re in a negative headspace and face resistance on your journey, then chances are you’ll most likely give up from frustration or fear,” she explains.
To become more open to change, start by believing you can improve, even when progress feels slow. Reframe limiting beliefs, write down daily affirmations, and repeat them until they stick. Surround yourself with positive influences, whether it’s a supportive friend or an inspiring podcast, and set up your environment to help you succeed.
And most importantly, celebrate every win, no matter how small.
#13 What A 8 Year Difference Can Do
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#14 17-21
Image credits: Difficult_Grocery177
#15 Learning To Take Care Of Myself
Image credits: MetalJunkie101
Next, Thalia points out the importance of building emotional resilience. Life will always throw curveballs, and while you can’t control them, you can strengthen your ability to handle them.
To do that, make time each day to decompress and reset. Journaling, spending time with loved ones, practicing gratitude, getting enough sleep, or even seeking therapy can all help. The key is to find what works for you and make it a regular part of your routine.
#16 22 To 32 – Late Bloomer To Say The Least, But I'm Finally Happy With My Looks
Image credits: washington_breadstix
#17 How Did I Do?
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#18 After Years Of Tooth Pain And Hiding My Smile, I Got Dentures! They Literally Made Me Smile
Image credits: VernalPathOG
Another thing Thalia encourages everyone to get comfortable with is setting boundaries.
“They are the rules and limits you put in place to stop being taken advantage of. Aka, they’ll be around a lot longer than most fake friends and toxic boyfriends,” she says.
Boundaries might seem selfish to some people, but they’re essential for protecting your peace, and you can’t truly glow up without them. That means learning to say no when needed and recognizing that it’s perfectly fine to remove yourself from situations that don’t feel right, all while staying respectful.
#19 Wow This Is Awesome
Image credits: zane
#20 (36) To (41) I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again
5 years ago, I finally got sick of the way I was living. Mentally/emotionally and physically I was at my worst. I had split up with my kids’ dad, became a single parent, and was dealing with some other unfortunate circumstances at the time, which was the catalyst for my change. I used intermittent fasting and keto to lose weight, and made some major mental shifts. Just a reminder of how far I’ve come!
Image credits: blackmagicwoman444
#21 4 Years Between The Photos
Used to really dislike how I looked but slowly and bit by bit I started to treat myself a lil nicer, didn't realize the difference till I saw it like this.
Image credits: Khodg
That’s quite a transformation already, right? With your inner foundation in place, you can now turn your attention to the physical side of your glow-up.
Thalia recommends focusing on daily habits that actually serve you, like drinking enough water, moving your body, sleeping well, and eating balanced meals. Forget crash diets or all-night productivity sprints; slow consistency wins every time.
#22 I Feel Reborn
Image credits: reddit.com
#23 15 To 22! Still Working On Confidence
Image credits: BreakfastSquare4600
#24 2.5 Years Of Treatment, Best Decision Of My Life
Regime 1mg finasteride per day Switched from 5mg minoxidil to 2.5mg a few months ago and gains still been fine.
Image credits: No_Pop2289
Finally, Thalia suggests treating transformation like an experiment rather than a test. Try a 30-day challenge—maybe yoga, journaling, or reading—not to fix yourself but to learn what genuinely makes you feel good.
Her reminder is simple: you don’t need to reinvent everything at once. Pick one or two habits, stay consistent, and build from there.
#25 (28) Morbidly Obese, [Suffering] To (33) Graduating And Thriving
Image credits: MisterWinterz
#26 380 Lbs At 36, 167 Lbs At 38
Image credits: reddit.com
#27 (29) To (32) Stopped Drinking, Walked Every Morning, Proper Hydration And Sleep
Image credits: shiggster214
In the end, remember that your glow-up isn’t a finish line you cross and leave behind. It’s an ongoing process of becoming a little better, a little calmer, and a little more confident every day.
Or, as Thalia-Maria Tourikis puts it: “Wellness is a lifelong journey, not a check box item. So loosen that grip on wanting to fix absolutely everything at the same time, and take it step by step.”
#28 I Was The One Everyone Avoided In High School
Image credits: New_Carry_9826
#29 "When I Loved Pizza & Was Insecure (17)" Versus "Still Love Pizza & Learned To Love Myself (25)"
Image credits: reddit.com
#30 From Beginning Of College And Hating Myself To Nearly Done With Law School And Kinda Think I’m Pretty Damn Awesome
Image credits: brittneyacook
#31 Four Year Transformation, All From Learning How To Take Care Of My Curls
The left picture was from my senior year in high school. I hated my curls and my boring, not-brown-but-not-blonde natural color all through my teenage years, so I did my best to destroy all of that. I got a relaxed curl perm, bleached it blonde, and straightened my hair 5-6 days a week, without using quality heat protectant. When I left for college, I stopped frequently using hot irons of any kind, only straightening/soft curling my hair every few months. I let my bleached blonde and the relaxed perm grow out and cut the dead and dry parts off every 3 months. I read up on what products were good and experimented with what worked for me! The right picture is today, and I've never felt more in love with my hair.
Image credits: capslockramen
#32 New Lease On Life After Divorce
Crazy how much stress and unhappiness affects your body. Lost around 40lbs within 4 months after I filed for divorce. Feel like myself again.
Image credits: Hella3D
#33 After 1.5 Years Of Sobriety And Fitness
Image credits: yougotyolks
#34 Yes That’s A Spray Tan And Yes I’m Still That Pale Without It
Image credits: Xela_-_
#35 17 To 23: How Far Some Self Care Can Take You
Image credits: KolaWolf
#36 (19) Depressed And Overweight (24) Thriving Physically And Mentally
There were a lot of ups and downs in the years between but I finally took this past year to focus on myself and my mental health and finally feel like I am in a good place!
Image credits: hiraeth55
#37 (21) What 6 Months Of Consistency Looks Like
So I've been holding this in for a while. I used to weigh 86 kg, and now I'm around 60. I've lost 26 kg after months (honestly, years) of struggling with my body, food, and confidence. I even made a little glow-up video, but I can't bring myself to post it anywhere. It's not that I'm not proud | am. It's just that I keep thinking people will judge me, make fun of me, or think I'm showing off. I know it shouldn't matter what others think, but it still does. Part of me wants to celebrate how far I've come, and another part of me wants to hide because I still feel like that insecure version of myself. I don't know if anyone else has felt this way after a big transformation, proud but scared at the same time.
Image credits: fmylife2829
#38 4 Years Later (16-20)
Image credits: IntrepidCommission
#39 Do I Look Better?
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#40 Convinced My Friend To Start Hot Yoga With Me. 2 Years In And It’s Going Well
Image credits: Puzzleheaded_Gas4433
#41 Feeling Better Than Ever
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#42 What A Difference A Year Makes 28 Stone (178) Kg To 12 Stone (78) Kg
Didn’t lose it the healthiest way and it’s left me with a few problems but I’m getting better every day.
Image credits: Sheffu33434
#43 This Is One Of The Best Transformations I’ve Ever Seen
Image credits: RoamingKam
#44 I Really Tried
Image credits: reddit.com
#45 Thank God Mom Stopped Cutting My Hair
Image credits: reddit.com
#46 Decided I Needed A Shift From The Same Ol' Body - 350lbs Down To 194
I was super overweight my entire life. Mocked and shunned as a kid, tormented by mean little children, and then by my own mind.
I decided to drop some weight and become healthier and happier vs being tired, sad, overweight, and down on myself.
Overall, this transformation took a little over two years, and through that, I became vegan, I hyper-focused on my diet, and I became super active.
It was finally time to come to terms with my past and for the first time, I began to accept who I was, who I am, and who I'm determined to become not just for myself, but for my family.
Here's to 2025!
Image credits: Moobygriller
#47 14 Year Old Me vs. 34 Year Old Me
Image credits: reddit.com
#48 Hair Transplant Before And After
AI predicted age of before picture: 51 AI predicted age of after picture: 39 Actual age: 45
Image credits: Swimming-Camel6516
#49 I Went From 400lbs To Running A Half Marathon A Couple Weeks Ago
I fell in love with running, and I'm doing another half marathon on November 1, plus training for a full in 2026!
Image credits: KinderEggLaunderer
#50 This Whole Thread Makes Me Happy, I Thought I Was The Only One
Image credits: InsanelyAwsomee
#51 I’m Proud Of Myself For This
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#52 (26) Versus (27). A Lot Can Change In A Year
The picture/video on the left completely broke me. Still ate badly for the next 3 months after that. In January, my younger brother got sick with a rare kidney disease, and I decided to go all in on my health. Focused on WHAT I was eating instead of how much or how little. Decided to cut out all processed foods and sugars. These pictures are exactly one year apart.
Eat real food!
Image credits: Responsible_Detail16
#53 80 Lbs Lighter, But Still Gotta Shave
Image credits: Vladicus92
#54 One Year Transformation. 23 To 23 (Almost 24 Hahaha). What A Gym Membership, Self Love And A Skincare Routine Can Do For You
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#55 16 - 23
Image credits: CLOROX-INHALANT
#56 Feeling Pretty Good About My Weight And Appearance Now Especially After Reconstructive Eye Surgery
Image credits: CONVICTGHOST
#57 Few Year Difference
Went from an extremely horrible diet, low self-esteem and crippling social anxiety to flourishing! I’m now going to the gym everyday - and living a very healthy and active lifestyle!
I used to struggle a lot with myself because of my weight, so I completely understand the negative and debilitating impacts. I try my best to encourage people positively, especially at the gym!
Image credits: omygeegolly
#58 Me Then vs. Me Now
Image credits: ETIDIOT1987
#59 23 To 30
Learned lots, lots to still learn, but living a life I never dreamed was possible for me is the best gift I could have given myself.
Image credits: lattelarrysbeans
#60 310 Lbs Doesn’t Look Good On Anyone
Image credits: SubliminalTiger
#61 22 vs. 23 Post-Breakup Glowup
Hair loss and weight loss are a bit over a year of progress, and I started lifting one year ago!
Image credits: ShadyPotDealer
#62 Had My Facial Reconstruction Surgery 2 Months Ago. Was Called Megamind, Ken Griffey Jr, Jimmy Nuetron
8 weeks later, and feeling a lot more confident in how I look.
Image credits: StarksTwins
#63 Congrats! That's Something To Be Proud Of
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#64 17-23 If I Ruled Time I'd Go Back, Give That Duckling A Hug, And Thank Them For Everything
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#65 26 vs. 37
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#66 I Think I'm Finally Finding Myself
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#67 [18]-[22]
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#68 My Twin And I At 16 And The Emo Phase Was Definitely A Phase. And Now At 29
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#69 Puberty Hit Me Like A Freight Train
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#70 19 To 29
I think the biggest thing I've learned and am still learning is to believe in yourself, chart your own path, and keep trying no matter what. Let's see what the next 10 years bring.
Image credits: InspectorSpacetime8
#71 I Would Like To Thank My Dermatologist
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#72 17 vs. 19
I started eating healthier, being more active, improved my mental health by a lot, and aged a bit. Those are the biggest changes to me.
Image credits: unfortunatebluebird
#73 My Journey Over The Years 19 To 36
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#74 2 And A Half Year Difference 300 To 175
Image credits: Hot-Joke-3285
#75 (21) To (22) Weight Loss, Skincare, Grooming, Sleep, Diet, Gym, Therapy
Image credits: HandS0apps
#76 A Little Over Two Years Ago, I Started Something That Would Change My Life Forever. I Stopped Getting High, Stopped Drinking And Started Hiking
Image credits: NotoriousRJC
#77 Accepted The Fact I Was Losing My Hair And Grew My Beard Out For The First Time Ever
Image credits: lukeman3000
#78 (23) To (40)
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#79 I Did The Thing
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#80 Scheduled A Transplant… But My Hair Made A Comeback And Now I’m Confused (18 Months Progress)
I’ve got a hair transplant booked this May in Thailand—flight, hotel, and deposit all locked in. But now I’m second-guessing everything.
Lately, I’ve been growing it out and messing around with styling/products to hide the temples. After enough trial and error to make a L’Oréal chemist cry, I’ve landed on something that actually looks pretty solid. I feel more confident than I have in years.
Image credits: alexhormozi
#81 Before & After Losing 150lbs
Image credits: Hot_two
#82 10 To 20! My Nickname Used To Be "Uglie"
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#83 20 To 24: Picked Up The Tweezers
20: Only cared about school and getting good grades, quarantine, interned remotely, never put effort into how I looked.
24: Working in tech (office 2x/week), weight training 5x/week, more friends, started caring more because people are perceiving me now.
Besides lifestyle changes: 1ml lip filler is the only “surgical” change. Otherwise, regular blonde appointments, brow threading, mustache waxing. In general, I’m investing more into myself with other girly stuff like Russian manicures, facials, and perfumes. I have the time and the money now so I figured why not take advantage of it?
Image credits: reddit.com
#84 14 & 26. My Teeth Straightened Themselves
Image credits: Unlikely-Network9961
#85 Many Changes
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#86 During The Worst Of My Health Problems, I Did Not Know About Carti. In The Past Few Years, I Worked On Fixing That
Now I'm a narcissist! Being healthy & living in the real world feels amazing. Me then vs. Me now.
Image credits: TwoSketchers
#87 Unhealthy vs. Healthy Hair
Image credits: Glittering-Mixture51
#88 20 To 37
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#89 Just A Dad From 31 To 33
Started hitting the gym 4x a week with a calorie deficit for about 6 months. Also drastically reduced alcohol consumption and increased protein. From 225 to 165. I’ve been in the 165 range for about 6 months now. Trying to stay here.
Image credits: Slowclimberboi
#90 Not Your Average Transformation - 4 Year Progress 114-79kg 31yo
Lost 40 kg in 10 months. I’ve been developing my physique ever since. Debuted in men’s physique this year and took two 2nd places in regional competitions. Placed 10th out of 12 with the pros in the NPC Grand Prix.
Some additional info: During the first 7 months, I was doing 60 minutes of cardio per day and home workouts due to an incident at the factory I was working for, which made it difficult to breathe properly. During that time, I was on zero carbs and focused on cardio, push-ups, and abs workouts. I don’t recommend this approach. Also, if you’re doing weight loss like I did, baby oil can help prevent loose skin.
In May 2022, I returned to the gym, ready for new adventures. Maybe I’ll make a new post showing my year-by-year transformation.
And no, I didn’t do any hair transplants—my hair just grew back once my hormones were running correctly. I also use hair fibers, nothing special.
As for my diet, I’ve experimented a lot. Currently, carb-ups and carb-downs are what work best for me. I’ve been following a strict diet since 2021.
Image credits: SuNSe7bg
#91 17 To 23
Image credits: ellaskah
#92 Me 1 Year Ago vs. Me Now
Image credits: Untidycloud9
