The 4 Pieces Of Workout Gear I Wore Every Day To Lose 60 Lbs
They're all perfection.
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 am bringing to you today the very exciting announcement that after nearly 50 years of trying different combinations of sports bras and sneakers and leggings and tank tops and socks and invariably using one of them being imperfect as an excuse to stop moving my body because I am laden with excuses, all the time, about things that are hard and taxing and don’t come naturally to me, I have found the superfecta.
Yes, that’s like a trifecta but for four things.
Yes, I had to look that up.
So if you, like me, also like to use stupid things like not having the perfect workout gear as an excuse for why you can’t exercise every day even though we all know it’s what keeps us happier, healthier, leaner, and is quite literally the way any of us will live a really long time, I have the perfect 4-product combo that will banish those excuses once and for all.
And here’s my credentials in case you haven’t seen any of the 378 articles I’ve written about my 60 lb weight loss that I achieved solely through a slight calorie deficit and walking for an hour every day:
No trainer, no GLP-1, just a bullish commitment to finally make a permanent change. And even though everyone says it’s “simple” and we all just need to “move more and eat less” (it’s true by the way, it is that simple) there are soooooooo many tricks and hacks I used and continue to use to actually make that happen on a daily basis as a naturally lazy person who prefers to be supine on a sofa as much as humanly possible, while consuming rich, creamy meals.
And one of those tricks, as you may have guessed, is the workout gear. So let’s get into it. After trying what feels like hundreds of versions of these things, I have finally landed on the perfect 4.
1. The Bra Top
Impossibly tight sports bras that make me feel crushed and then the anticipation of pretzeling my arms over my sweaty body to peel them off has been enough of a deterrent my entire life to not really exercise. But I have 36/C boobs and REALLY need them to be reigned in. Enter: this bra/tank hybrid* that I own in 7 colors. It holds me in but doesn’t make me feel like I’m in a vice. If it’s too exposed for you just throw a ratty t-shirt over top. Here’s my collection so you believe me.
2. THE JOGGERS
I admit that I am not a tight leggings person. Maybe there’s a “I feel like I’m being squeezed to death” theme here with my aversion to tight things, but if the thought of wriggling into compression leggings is enough to make you skip your workouts, you MUST try these joggers*. They have a gloriously wide waistband that’s both flattering and wildly comfortable, and there’s room in the butt/thigh so you don’t feel constricted. I own them in 3 colors. Pic for proof.
3. The socks
Bombas, please sponsor us? I write about you all the time. I love your socks so passionately. I can’t explain why but these socks are sort of the reason I’m able to walk an never get tired. They’re so form fitting and cushiony and soft and they never roll or budge. I will never wear another brand of socks. The specific ones I wear* are detailed below. And another not-beautiful shot to show you all the Bombas socks in my collection:
4. The sneaks
I have horrifically dumb feet and nothing ever feels truly comfortable on them. They’re wide and sort of paddle-like, and most sneakers feel tight and weird and I’m always having to readjust. I discovered these exact Hokas a few years ago and have never looked back. They’re light as air, feel fully like you’re walking on a cloud, and I weirdly think they’re quite cute. Here they are with the correct, exact Bombas sock length* I wear in order to hitch on my ankle weights … keep reading.
And now here I am “kitted out” as the Brits say, with a 20 lb weighted vest*, a deeply uncool fanny p*, and 4 lb weights on each ankle*.
This vest alone is what has created definition (!!!) in my back and arms. I lift zero weights. Does anyone else check themselves out on their ring camera to see what they “really” look like? No? Just me?
I can’t explain exactly why these 4 pieces are so perfect, or how/why they help me stay in the rhythm of walking every single day of my life (which will absolutely help you lose weight, but please believe me, they are. I have tried so many different versions of them and I am, as you might imagine, an insufferably exacting bitch who hates almost everything. Aka, you can trust me on this. DM me HERE for more similarly inspiring words if you need someone to help you start.
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.
