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posted by Teresa Morisco on
February 18, 2009
what to wear: as you lose weight
What do you wear if you’re losing weight and your clothes don’t fit anymore but you’re not at your goal weight?
I get asked this question a lot and I thought that since my younger sister, Melissa, is undergoing a weight loss challenge through Exercise TV, I thought I’d create an outfit for her petite self that works for her single-mom lifestyle in San Diego.
When you’re in transition, you want to go for neutrals because you can mix and match them with different colors in accessories, shoes and cardis to create different looks. I always recommend a jersey skirt since it can stretch with you and hitting low-priced retailers like H&M, Target and Kohl’s is a great way to get the most for your budget. The pictured transition outfit is under $100 without shoes.
Transition Outfit
- Elbow sleeve tee, $24
- these come in tons of colors and hide the arm fat
- Oatmeal open-front cardigan
- $20
- Gored jersey skirt, $15 – the length works for petites and it can be dressed up for work or dressed down for the weekend
- Multi-strand blue necklace, $13 – if you have blue + green eyes such as my sister, this will make them pop!
- Leather hobo or this budget-friendly handbag option are great in a teal blue
- Black wedge heels
- perfect with a skirt or pants
Three Tricks for Losing Weight
I certainly am not a weight-loss expert but I have lived with hypothyroidism for 10 years and work with lots of clients who have undergone some amazing changes. I’ve discovered there are three things that must be done together in order to lose it:
- Motivation. You have to be strong enough to pull yourself out of bed and put your workout clothes on. Sometimes I visualize Jillian Michaels pulling the covers off and telling me to get my a$s out of bed. It works. If I don’t put my workout clothes immediately on and head out the door for my run, I’m toast.
- Exercise. Whatever you can do to move, it doesn’t have to be boring or considered exercise. Taking a walk and discovering new places in your neighborhood is fun. I discovered ExerciseTV a few months ago on a rainy day and was pleasantly surprised that their on-demand workouts are free – they have some pretty cool programs, from yoga to working out with Jillian (love her.)
- Eating Smart. You can’t lose weight with exercise alone or by diet alone. Sure healthy choices are important but I discovered it was learning about eating the right-size portions that made all the difference. My sister gets 12 weeks of eDiets’ meal delivery
plan which takes the stress away from counting calories and preparing separate meals for herself. Weight Watchers is another great resource. Use what works for you.
As for my sister’s weight loss journey, she’s going into her second week and it’s been interesting to read her ups and downs. Obviously, she and her fellow compatriots are super motivated and they have a support system in place — that is the number one trick for losing (and maintaining) weight.
Teresa,
Thank you so much for doing this. My sister is doing the exact same thing and I tried to take her out shopping last week with little success. She is a single parent living on a teacher’s salary, so your post is so timely for her! Thank you!
What an excellent real-life post. Recently while at a trunk show I heard so often, “well I’m in the process of loosing weight” from all ages of women, 30s – 60s (I guess the 20s didn’t have this issue yet).
A woven, tailored garment is not the choice if one is on a determined path to change the body, although I’ve read most things can be altered if the weight change is within 35 lbs. What do you think Teresa?
I’m so excited your sister was chosen! Thats so fun.
Hi ya Sis! What a great POST! Totally cute! Love the necklace. I know I sent you my personal email comment but I wanted to post it here. See…my sister is the ‘Queen’ of fashion how to’s and what not’s. Since we were in junior high she always shopped! (Have I have some stories) This is her calling and I am happy to say that I WILL take advantage of it. Currently all clothes that I will ’shrink’ out of in the next 10 weeks will be given away. I will need a new wardrobe. Terea’s mission is to pick out a bikini (no granny ones); some hot MILF clothes-no slut stuff; high heeled shoes that rock my mans world; a cute and respectable outfit for my son’s baseball games (no cheeks but no grannies either – I’m only 39); out dancing (jeans preferably); and an outfit (including boots) for those Harley rides with my boyfriend. I am so excited to finally lose this weight, shake off the old clothes and reinvent the new happier, healthier and sexier me! What are you waiting for, Sis, get shopping! LOL. Love ya!
Very cute outfit! I also discovered Exercise TV about three months ago. A word of caution about Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred, though. Im my opinion, no one with any orthopedic issues should try this workout. The only thing I shred was my knee. I had to stop after two workouts, and my knee still hurts two months later. I don’t have tons of weight to lose and did not have a freak accident, like twisting my knee. The workout is just really hard on your joints if they are not in excellent condition (read not worn down from years of sports). You need to work up to this workout. Perhaps she has other workouts that are not so tough on the bod. Bob, the other Biggest Loser trainer, has a good workout on Exercise TV that is still a great workout but is appropriate for a wider range of people.
Insightful comment on real-life dressing room chatter Carissa! I hear it ALL the time. But here’s the thing: if you are in your late 30’s or on up, losing weight takes longer.
So, by the time you reach your ideal weight, a year will have gone by and you still have nothing to wear. So, as you embark on your weight loss journey, make sure you have some cute clothes *now* that you feel good in. You can take them in as you lose weight (and you’ll have some transition items!) but the limit is 3″ in the waist for pants — too much and it starts to affect the line and fit of the pant. Tops can be a little more difficult because of the armhole but adding darts can be a good solution. I don’t know about the under 35lbs rule because I’ve lost 10 pounds where I lost 3″ in my waist — maybe it should be 25lbs.
In any case, be good to yourself! It is worth it to add some items while you lose weight AND treat yourself to a new wardrobe when you reach your goal if it’s significant.
Thank you for another great outfit. I love the affordability of this outfit. I ordered the pieces online yesterday.
yay! loved this outfit! already had a similar skirt and shoes – just bought the cardi at Old Navy……can’t find the necklace at my Target though, but I’ll look for something similar! Very cute and affordable to boot!
Hi Karen, I do find that Jillian’s workouts are jarring on the knees. I have discussed this with my personal trainer, due to the fact that I had a major knee blow out accident 21 years ago. OMG Teresa will remember. It was very difficult for us to put up with me and my months long recovery. Even after orthroscoptic surgery I take it easy on my knees. Modify what Jillian gives you. She is…besides by personal trainer Steve Marseca (who trains Danica Patrick, the race car driver) a true professional. If you are jarring your bone structure then you should not be doing those exercises DO LOW IMPACT. I do. Screw the excellerated heart beat. I need my knees. Take it easy.
All of you ladies still looking at your wardrobe when you have lost that weight? I’m wearing belts now. I should be in a size 10 from the 12 I was in. I’m not buying anything new until I reach that 8. Target has got some cute clothes. Plus…I have to remind my wonderful wardrobe911.com sister, Teresa, that I love surf clothes, leather pants for the motor cycle rides, and a hot SMOKIN’ Bikini by May 1.
Keep up the great work and visit me at Exercisetv.tv. Blog me ladies. Leave comments. I will reply.
Teresa, stop playing with Arthur (her dog) and find me some hot outfits! LOVE YA.
Your sissy,
Melissa
When wearing the shoes with pants, want kind of socks would you suggest?