Question about the before picture

[Guest guest]

Here's the deal. I'm on day 5 of my first " official " challenge and I

just realized that I forgot to hold up a newspaper in my before

picture. I know doing so is recommended but is it absolutely

neccessary when competing for the prize? I'm looking at the 6

champion finalists for 2006 on the website and not one single person

is holding up a newspaper. In fact, out of all the semi-finalists,

only one person is holding up a paper. This makes me think it's not a

requirement but on the other hand, I don't want to give any impression

that I'm " cheating " and doing it longer than 12 weeks. I have this

fantasy of becoming a semi-finalist.

Taking the before pic was traumatic enough and I would prefer not to

repeat it if I don't have to. Plus, the pic was taken on Jan 1st but

I don't have that paper anymore. What do you think I should do? Am I

overthinking this? I'm known to do that at times.