Say Goodbye to the Workout Clothes That Make You Feel Sad

Summer Life Edit Challenge Week Six

Welcome to The Summer Life Edit Challenge, an 8-week series from The Life Edit! Each week, I’ll share a simple prompt or quick win designed to help you live with more clarity, ease, and spaciousness this season.

I've been in enough homes by now to know that when it comes to lounge and workout wear, most of us are keeping (and wearing) items that don't exactly boost the old self esteem. Today is the day we say goodbye to our stretched out sports bras, threadbare leggings, and sad sweats. Let’s go!

Week Six: Say Goodbye to the Workout Clothes That Make You Feel Sad

This feel good editing challenge can be completed in fifteen minutes or less (#15minwin). Let's do it.

Step One: Gather the Goods

Collect all your workout wear into a central location. Make sure to check the laundry so you can have an accurate count. Separate into piles by type: one pile for tops, one for bottoms, and one for bras or accessories.

Step Two: Ditch the Duds

If you're currently in possession of old, ratty items that you wouldn't want to run into anyone while wearing, today is your day to start fresh. Grab a donation bag and fill it with anything that has seen better days, doesn't fit properly, or just feels meh. Workout clothes should fit and flatter, not pinch or pull.

When in doubt, ask yourself: does this make me feel sad or does it make me feel like moving? Better to have a handful of elevated essentials than an overstuffed drawer full of options you don’t feel great in.

Here's how to think about quantities: Honestly assess how many days you typically work out and what staples you need. For example, my big goal is to do CorePower Yoga 4-5 times a week. This means as long as I do laundry once a week, I'm all set with this simple workout capsule:

• 5x sports bras

• 5x tanks / tops

• 5x workout leggings

If you do other activities that require specific gear just factor that in.

Step Three: Get Organized

Once you've completed your edit, set up shop so you can see all of your workout essentials at a glance. Drawer dividers help create an instant feeling of order. If you are short on closet or drawer space you can use baskets to corral items by type (these are my fave).

My favorite set; organizing my workout capsule

Step Four: Dispose Responsibly

Repeat after me: clothing doesn't belong in the trash! Gently used items in great condition can be donated. Anything with stains, holes or warped padding or underwire can be dropped off at your local textile-recycling center. Just search "Textile recycling near me" to find the most convenient drop off option. Other resources linked below:

• Planet Aid: Accepts textiles in any condition, including underwear, and recycles them into new products.

• Ridwell: A subscription service that picks up hard-to-recycle items, including textiles like underwear, and ensures they are recycled properly.

Step Five: Invest in Fewer, Better Workout Gear

If you were particularly ruthless, or just short on what you need, now's the time to fill in any gaps. I personally love Girlfriend Collective and Beyond Yoga for comfort, style, and size inclusivity, and I also have a few faves from Alo. Superficial as it may sound, when I put on a matching set that fits my body, I feel much more motivated to get out the door to class. My mini workout capsule is linked here.

💬 READER PROMPT: Any favorite brands you love for workout wear? Please share in the comments!

Do Something Small to Feel Less Overwhelmed

Free Yoga: I just hit my 300th core power yoga class - you can use this link to try a free week. Best thing I’ve found for my physical and mental health.

Recipe Club: Samin Nosrat is a local legend / national treasure, and I loved her NYT video tutorial on how to make the best salad dressings. Watch it here.

Listen Up: I’m chatting with olympian Gabby Reece (!!) about letting go and the emotional and mental shifts that happen when you create space for what truly matters. Listen here.

Fewer Better Faves: This is the only multivitamin that doesn’t make me queasy and also loving this probiotic. My favorite yoga mat that doubles as a block, and the only water bottle I own.

1:1 Business Mentoring: No-fluff strategy and support to help you tackle your large and small goals. Get support here

My Signature Online Course: Learn how to edit, organize, and elevate your home like a pro. To the course

Curated Product Recs: My fewer better faves for your home, life, and wardrobe. To the recs

I Wrote Some Books: Actionable strategies to clear clutter, get organized, & elevate your home and life. To the books

Order LifeStyled now from your favorite bookshop! bookshop | target | amazon | barnes and noble | signed copies - now available in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand