You've just joined the gym ‑- so you should be feeling good about yourself, right? Unfortunately, women often start exercising just when they feel the worst about their appearance. But that negativity can affect your routine, or whether you go to the gym at all, according to psychologist Dr. Leah DeSole. "Simply contemplating changing in the dressing room is deeply distressing for women who are self-conscious about their bodies," she explains. Sound familiar? Then you know why looking your best is a vital part of making your exercise plan work. But take heart: It can be done. "Everybody can lose 10 pounds before even stepping on an exercise machine," promises Ruth Cox, image consultant. Read on for tips on how to look ‑- and feel ‑- your best during your workout.

A primary mistake gym-goers make is wearing the wrong underwear ‑- or none at all. "Lots of people come to the gym without it and don't realize how much other people in the class can see ‑- especially if the class has mirrors," says Stephanie Gabriel Boyden, personal trainer at Canyon Ranch. Appropriate undies don't have to be fancy, but should be made of a high-quality fiber that wicks moisture away from the skin and is cut correctly for your clothing. Try comfy full-coverage-panty under your shorts or full-cut athletic pants, and beneath leggings wear a thong, since bulkier underwear bunches up unattractively and can chafe. And the last thing you want is a wedgie.