Do It With Your Nightgown On
No. Not that “it.”
If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission. Gifted items will be called out (gifted), and affiliate links will include an asterisk (*). We have to eat, after all.
by Audie Metcalf
I’ve written a lot about weight loss and walking and calories lately. Because it’s been my focus for the last 2 years. You can see my many shocking before and after photos here, here, and here. It's legit, it’s hard, and I did it without meds.
While I was in the throes of losing now 55 pounds, I focused solely on a calorie deficit and walking at least 15k steps each day. And that’s it. I knew that if I threw too many bells and whistles in the mix I would tap out, like the many, many times before.
But now that I’m on, let’s call it the other side, and I finally have the the food and walking habits pretty much on lock (which isn’t to say it’s easy, because it’s not, but habits are easier than newness) I am officially embarking on a true strength training journey.
But it’s been many months that I’ve been telling myself that.
And I hadn’t done it.
It was always about finding the right trainer and a not-disgusting gym and planning my evenings or mornings around “working out” and finding a pair of leggings that didn’t give me a camel toe and watching 156 different online trainers tell me to use light weights so I don’t blow out my shoulder only to see heavy weights are the only things that work if you’re over 40 and over and over and over again, and you know what I wasn’t doing during that entire time?
Lifting. Any. Weights.
So one night I just decided all of those reasons were actually just excuses—because, I told myself, after being “good” all day with eating, and getting my steps in, I “deserved” to just lie back, watch one and a half episodes of Love Island, and go to bed.
And I do. And so do you. We’re all so busy and so tired and life is such an endless assault of bullshit, and we need time to rest and do nothing and not feel bad about that. And I definitely do that.
But one night, I just said fuck it. And perhaps M_ _a will block you from seeing this article because they are very uptight about curse words, but I actually said those words, picked up my silly little dumbbells and just … started.
In my nightgown. Because, again, fuck it.
Do I know what I’m doing? Not really. But I’m doing it. Because I’m not making it some huge thing with 47 steps. I’m just re-watching Game Of Thrones, and for 15 minutes, I lift these heavy things and then I put them down. That’s it. And by doing that I’m toning my arms so I can wear tank tops without sighing when I look in the mirror, increasing my bone density so I don’t shatter into a million pieces when I’m old(er), reducing my chance for heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis, and helping my metabolism not fade into the abyss.
I use this TikTok for arms 3 times a week. I’ve gotten up to using 10 lbs weights but I started at 5.
And I use this one for legs on the other days.
Is it perfect? Am I going to like win some award for amazing form? Am I going to enter into a body building competition because of my impeccable tone? You know the answer. But I’m doing it. I see results. I feel results. So forget all those things standing between you and actually just picking up heavy things.
Turn on your comfort show, buy some dumb cheap pair of dumbbells, use the TikToks above as a guide, and do it with your nightgown on.
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used in place of professional advice, medical treatment, or professional care in any way. This article is not intended to be and should not be a substitute for professional care, advice or treatment. Please consult with your physician or healthcare provider before changing any health regimen. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease of any kind. Read our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
