Use these 5 simple tips to help you get ready faster and dress the body before, during and after weight loss
When you’re losing weight, it can be daunting to open your closet every morning. As you reach past the baggy khakis and gaping blouses, your eyes skip over the too small sundress from college you’ve been waiting years to get back into — only to land on that tiny sequin tank you bought on clearance years ago that you secretly fear will never flatter your body no matter how much weight you lose.
When getting dressed becomes an ordeal, it noy only makes you stressed, it also takes a toll on your self-esteem. Experts agree that feeling good about the way you look is crucial to staying motivated to reach and maintain your weight loss goals. How you organize your wardrobe, even as you transition to smaller sizes, can be an important tool in your success. When you’re constantly looking at stuff that doesn’t fit, it’s a terrible daily message. Many people have at least three sizes in their closets at any given time, yet they feel like they have nothing to wear.
1. Display only clothes that fit right now.
Imagine opening your closet door and knowing that whatever you pulled out would fit you. It’s a gift to yourself every day. I truly believe that your closet should reflect the truth about where you are in your weight-loss journey. That means displaying only comfortable clothes that fit well and, of course, make you feel beautiful. Even if you don’t have a big wardrobe now, especially if you’re losing weight steadily, having “real” choices makes getting dressed quick and easy. Plus, seeing spare shelves and empty hangers can be inspiring: It means there’s suddenly room for new purchases.
2. Sort and store the rest.
Group the clothes that are too small by size and stow them away (as long as they are good quality and current in style). If you are holding on to things from college, I beg you to part with those items! Once you reach the next lower size, you can go “shopping” from that collection. That way, the bundles feel like waiting rewards, rather than too-small clothes taunting you from their hangers.
3. Get rid of clothes that are too big or ill fitting.
It feels wonderful to stash your suddenly-giant jeans at the bottom of your pants drawer. But then comes the question: Are you keeping them because you’re realistic that your weight might fluctuate or are you setting yourself up for failure, since you always have oversize clothes at the ready? I suggest getting rid of clothes that are two sizes too big. For example, get rid of the size 16 items once you reach a size 12. You’re making a statement that you won’t be regaining this weight. It’s okay to save a few nice items until you reach your goal weight, if you plan to tailor them to fit your new body.
4. Throw out “aspirational” clothing.
Storing old clothes that you once wore when you were thinner is smart because you likely will be able to wear them again. But hanging on to clothes that you never wore, and likely never will because you bought them on sale three years ago in an unrealistic size 2, is just plain agonizing. Those clothes just make you feel bad about where you are today. Giving them to charity will help take the sting out of the wasted money: at least you know that someone else will eventually get to wear them.
5. Make your closet a friendly place.
It’s a simple truth: you’ll feel better getting dressed when you’re faced with a pretty closet. Invest in some uniform hangers and new organizational boxes, bins or bags. Not only will this streamline the look of your closet, it will help clothes lie flat and stay wrinkle-free and it will also save room.
Feeling creative? Paint the interior a fun new color or install a new light. Don’t forget to show your lingerie drawer some love, too. Indulge in some fancy lining paper or lavender sachets, and fold your (perfectly-fitting) bras and underwear in neat rows.
I’ve been able to participate in many of my client’s closet cleanouts. We spend time purging the old and assessing what is salvageable with tailoring. Many times, my clients don’t know how to dress their new body shape, so this is a time to talk about why the old clothes don’t work any longer and open their eyes on how to dress their newly evolving body. I love being able to participate in their full journey. Seeing their joy as they find new styles and see the beauty of their bodies brings me so much fulfillment and makes me a #proudtrainer!
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