A Woman's Guide to Pre-Weight Loss Gym Fashion

The problem for most would-be fitness addicts isn't finding the motivation to go to the gym to knock out the pounds. For most, the problem lies in finding something to wear to a fitness club filled with year round exercise buffs when you've been sitting on the couch for say, your entire adult life. Traditionally, we are presented with two options here. We can choose not to go at all, or we can choose to suffer through working out in sweats and ugly plain t-shirts next to an America's Next Top Model candidate every day whose sports bra and cheerleader shorts do a great job of making you feel terrible about your own forced wardrobe decisions. Neither options sound very appealing, so let's try something else. You really can look polished and put together at the gym, even before you've lost the weight, if you can remember to keep a few key concepts in mind before you go shopping for your fitness wear.

First, forget the old "darks only" rule for a minute and go for crisp, lighter colors. While it's true that darker colors are sometimes more flattering for daywear until you've lost the weight, dark clothing in the gym can look a bit drab and depressing in an already poorly lit facility. Not only that, but wearing blacks and grays is also a blaring signal to other gym-goers that you're just trying desperately to hide something. Most modern gym clothing comes in light greens, blues, and whites. It's ok to replace attempts at hiding flab with being fashion forward.

On that note, throw out the ratty t-shirts and oversized sweatpants. While you may be thinking that the point of working out is to get sweaty and dirty, the main reason for working out is to feel better about yourself when you're finished (after the obvious health benefits, of course). You're not going to feel great if you are hiding your results day after day in that frumpy t-shirt your kids bought you at Disney World last year. Wear gym clothing that is attractive before you ever get to your goal weight so that you can feel better and better about yourself as you go.

When you do go out shopping for gym pants or shorts that aren't threadbare and full of holes, do avoid anything with side stripes or solid colored piping. This is especially important for pear shapes to remember. Side stripes may look cute on the hanger, and they do seem to be on almost every piece of gym clothing on the market, but they have a nasty little habit of forming "humps" in your silhouette when worn that otherwise wouldn't exist. In other words, while the stripes are supposed to simply form a straight line down the body, they will go over any excess baggage on the hips and upper thighs in a lumpy, protruding manner. Just stick with solids for a little while.

While it should go without saying, there are still a handful of soon-to-be gym goers who will need this next piece of advice. If you are still fighting the bulge, avoid wearing "message" clothing that may give off the wrong impression. While you have every right to a great self-esteem, displaying it with shorts that say "I'm Hot" on the behind isn't a smart idea if doing so brings attention to your extra pounds. We'll just leave it at that.

If you do have some extra pounds in the rear that you certainly don't want to bring any attention to, try wrapping a simple hooded sweatshirt or jacket around your hips during your workout. Choose something light and fashionable and no one will be the wiser.

Next, while you might not be ready for tank tops just yet, you still want to stay cool when you're working up a sweat. That being said, we've just covered the fact that a plain t-shirt isn't always attractive. Look for gym shirts with cap sleeves to offset any arm bulge that may still be lurking. You'll be surprised at just how much you can hide with a cap sleeve without giving up your style. If you must stick with a t-shirt, only purchase those that are actually designed for women. They should be a bit form-fitting with a shorter length than old fashioned T's, and the sleeves should actually sit on the arms, not hang off of them.

If you do decide to brave the gym shorts section during your little shopping spree, be sure to pick up a pair of biker shorts. Not only can they help prevent bruising and injury if they are padded should you take a fall on the treadmill (and who hasn't), but they will also provide a bit of extra coverage during your strenuous exercise. If you've ever tried to run in shorts while your thighs rubbed together like they were trying to start a fire, you already know why you need this added security. Enough said.

Finally, enhance any gym clothing you choose by getting a tan before your first workout. There's nothing worse than looking pale and pasty in your brand new duds, especially when everyone else will be trim and toned. Spray tans are your safest bet here, so go for a light bronze that isn't too far from your natural color. Doing so will give off the illusion of a slimmer silhouette, no matter how much you weigh, and will also help conceal any stretch marks and bulging veins that might be present.

Remember, your body is a work in progress, but it will always remain so if you cannot overcome your fears of not looking great at the gym. Everyone in that building had to start somewhere, and believe it or not, most of them can relate to your dilemma. Be confident and dress smartly for your body type, and the rest will take care of itself.