Want to lose weight? Dress the part!

When you've gained weight or are feeling heavy, it's a common tendency to want to hide under large, baggy clothing and hide the extra pounds. But after watching a recent episode of my guilty-pleasure What Not to Wear, I learned something important. The episode revolved around a woman who really wasn't overweight, but felt fat because she'd gained 30 pounds after having a baby. She covered herself head to toe in long sleeves, high necked shirts, and long pants, all in dark colors, and refused to buy anything new because "she was going to lose weight." Raise your hand if you've been there...only one pair of pants that fit but you refuse to buy another pair because you don't want to buy a larger size. The show's snarky but kind hosts pointed out an excellent point: when you don't feel good about yourself and your body, you are unlikely to give it the necessary time and commitment to lose weight.

So whether you've lost weight and want to show off your new curves or you're just getting started and need a confidence booster, here's a great article on dressing for weight loss success. Try to accentuate the positives. For instance, if you have great arms, take advantage of the spring weather to wear sleeveless tops or dresses. And if you have an area of concern that makes you feel uncomfortable, don't hide it under big baggy clothes, just camouflage it with a certain cut or pattern.

Remember, when you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, anything is possible, including sticking to that diet. Now excuse me, I have some shopping to do!