That's Fit

Pregnant women can't always do all of the exercises and sports they did before they became moms-to-be, but golf is not one of them. In fact, I've actually heard that a baby belly can help with form (I can't attest to that, not having had a baby and having pretty poor form no matter what).

The problem comes in when finding something to wear -- you don't want to dress sloppy out there on the course, but you need to be comfortable and able to move easily. And, just as important, you don't want to spend a fortune on something you'll only wear for a couple of months. What options do you have?

Van Linsey has a great solution, where mainstream meets maternity. The women in the picture above, a model and the line's designer, Vanessa Gobes, are wearing the same shirt in the same size. And Vanessa, who is pregnant in the picture (obviously), is wearing a pair of mainstream to maternity jersey pants, which have a comfy fold-down waistband, so they will fit nearly any size waistline.

Nike is well-known for lots of reasons -- high-profile athletes as spokespersons, the swoosh, and possibly the catchiest catch phrase ever. But now, Nike Inc. is hoping to become known for something else -- eco-friendliness.

The company's initiative, Nike Considered Design, focuses on having all aspects of the business meet specific goals, starting with footwear, then apparel, and finally, by 2020, equipment. The Nike crew intends to cut waste and raise the use of environmentally-friendly materials, eventually recycling all used products. And, it will streamline the supply chain, which will reduce the amount of oil and other materials used.

As you probably guessed, the Nike Considered Design initiative won't just help Nike go green, but will also make a little green in the process. Using fewer materials will lower their costs -- something they've already learned since reducing their shoe production waste by 50 percent.

Running skirts aren't exactly new -- we've covered them here at That's Fit on a few occasions. However, they're definitely gaining in popularity, so I figure it's a topic well worth revisiting. In fact, Runner's World had an article earlier this summer about the rise of running skirts, citing the fact that there is now a series of SkirtChaser 5K races (warning -- automatic sound at this link). And if the fact that there are now races based on the popularity of running skirts doesn't convince you that they're big right now, then I don't know what to tell you.

So what's the benefit of wearing a running skirt? Well, for one thing, it provides the comfort of spandex running or compression shorts without the worry of how your tush looks, because the skirt covers your bum in a much looser fit. Many of the skirts come with long shorts (seven inches or so), or even with full tights. Or, of course, you could always wear your favorite fitted shorts underneath.

Second, lots of them offer pockets, which to me is a huge bonus. I often run my long distances alone, and it's a pain to have to carry water, a phone, keys, and an iPod.

Funny man Jack Black dressed up in a well-tailored tuxedo the other night and attended a black-tie gala in honor of pal Ben Stiller. The whole experience -- well, the suiting up part -- was both hysterical and humiliating, says the big guy.

First of all, Jack hates to dress up. "I was going to say screw it," he reports. "I was just going to wear my jockies and trench coat." But he followed suit after deciding he better look the part since he'd be sitting next to the sharp-dressing Robert DeNiro and P. Diddy. So, off to Bergdorf Goodman he went, where he was greeted with this comment from the sales lady: "Your neck ... it's too big. It's too big for this store! I'm sorry Jack Black, but you might want to go to Big and Tall."

Ouch. Black became flushed with shame and marched off to, yes, the Big and Tall store. "I was welcomed with loving open arms by my people," Black reports. No mention of any plans for trimming down. Perhaps the star is happy with the skin he's in.

Winters in Michigan were brutal when I was in high school, in part because I played volleyball (with the teeny, tiny spandex shorts) and our coach wouldn't let us leave the building without covering our bare legs. And trust me, when practice was over, I didn't want anything keeping me from leaving that gym as quickly as humanly possible, so pulling on sweats or warm ups over my shoes was nothing short of sheer torture.

Although, looking back, I have to admit that keeping us from freezing our bums off was probably a good idea.

Anyway, I would have been very happy to have a GoGirlWrapperz skirt to cover my legs -- quickly and stylishly. There are ankle-length options in a variety of colors made from anti-static microfleece. And they're not just great for high schoolers -- they're perfect for adult gym girls, too.

I'm so pleased to announce that we have a winner for our Fit Beauty Pallie Bags Giveaway. Mona is the lucky lady, and she plans to "use it to carry everything, keys, water, mags, money ... shoes and a million other things."

She'll have no problem doing so, as the bag is roomy and stylish, but still totally casual. Congratulations to her, and thank you, as always, to all of you who entered the giveaway. We'll have another one coming up shortly!

If you're wildly disappointed that you didn't win the bag (and I can't blame you if you are -- I was pretty sad to send it off!), you can still get one of your own right here.

All week long, we're busy checking out how the celebrities stay fit. But there are so many stars, and so many tips, that it can be easy to miss one! If you want to make sure you're up to date on your hot celeb fitness scoop, this is your chance. Click on your secret celebrity fitness crush above to find out what he or she was up to this week!

Now that the weather has cooled down, some of you might be finding excuses for skipping out on your outdoor workouts. Maybe it's rainy, or windy, or just too cold. But you know, with the right gear, the weather becomes less of an issue. And right now, through November 8, you have a chance to get the gear you need, possibly for free!

Weatherproof is a family owned and operated sportswear and outerwear supplier, and has been around since 1948. This winter, they're making a deal -- if the temperature in New York City's Central Park stays at or below freezing on November 27, any customer who made a purchase from any retailer between November 1 and November 8 will receive a refund of the full amount of the purchase!

So what should you get? There are tons of choices for both men and women, for all types of weather. From windbreakers to fleeces to raincoats to sweaters, you can find just about anything you need to suit your sport in your climate.

I hope you've never had a problem with a little extra belly hanging over your low-rise jeans -- a situation more commonly known as muffin top. But, between the low-rise jeans and the clingy t-shirts that are so stylish, most of us have, even those of us who are quite fit. But it doesn't have to be that way -- Yummie Tummie wants to end your tummy trouble.

Far from being a standard shirt, Yummie Tummie tanks (and tees) have a shaping panel around the midsection to smooth and control any bulges or jiggle your tummy might have, but the top and bottom of the piece are cotton, so you can layer it without looking like you're wearing shapewear. And, they're comfortable, which you might know isn't always the case with shapewear -- that's probably why Oprah made Yummie Tummie one of her top picks.

Yummie Tummie offers several styles of tanks (including a nursing tank, because new moms definitely deserve a little support in the tummy area!), as well as tees, all in a variety of colors, so you can get just what you need to wear under any shirt, dress, or sweater. Additionally, most styles are available in regular or long length, so you can get just the look you want.

Forget too-tight bike shorts and geeky-looking cycling accessories -- biking is now considered the chic new way to get fit. That's right -- it may not be a new way to work out, but it's highly fashionable these days. Hot celebs like Agyness Deyn, Chloe Sevigny and Jennifer Aniston are apparently new owners of fancy bikes, according to the Daily Mail.

According to Caz Nicklin of CycleChic.co.uk, "There is nothing more glamorous than gliding down the street in a lovely floaty dress. It's almost as if we have come full circle. In its day, cycling was groundbreaking for women. It brought us trousers and meant we could go places on our own. Now, it's back again as a stylish pastime."

So stylish, in fact, that you can buy Chanel and Gucci bikes -- with a price tag of about $9600 and $3300, respectively. Wow -- that's quite an expensive pasttime. My $50 garage-sale bike might not be as fashionable but it's just as good for a workout.

Ready to be stylishly sporty? Or funky and fashionable? This week's Fit Beauty giveaway aims to help you be just that -- I'm giving away a Tangerine Pallie Bags Harison Tote, valued at approximately $185 (pictured in Turquoise over to the side here). Even if you're not sure it's your style, you definitely have someone in your life who would love to carry it, so why not enter?

But hurry! You only have until Wednesday, October 29, at 5:00 p.m. ET to enter!

Whether you win or not, Pallie Bags has a bunch of bags that are both fun and functional, either for toting your gear to the gym or for carrying all your day-to-day necessities to and from work. Check out the gallery for a few of our favorites, or, check out this website to see everything available.

Everybody has a problem area (or two, or three). A common complaint for women is the butt. I know I remember those high school days when everything that was supposed to be lifted was lifted and everything that was supposed to be firm was firm. Sigh. Nowadays, having a backside that kicks butt takes a little more effort.

If you're trying to get your rear into shape, AOL Health has a series of butt-firming exercises that is sure to do the trick. Whether you're proud of your backside or you're in the process of shaping it up, be sure to flatter your figure with the right pair of jeans. Kristen gave us the tip about Redbook's great article with jeans that flatter every body type.

• Flat butt. Wish you had a little more oomph in your rear? Redbook suggests finding jeans with some lycra or spandex and wide-set back pockets. Your best exercises are lunges, squats, and other moves that will build up your glutes.
• Bubble butt. Look for jeans with a high or contoured waist so they won't gap at your waistline. As for exercise, it all depends on your goals. The bubble butt look can be pretty smokin' -- but if you want a little less junk in the trunk, check out this video from Prevention.

I know I'm not the only one who runs errands either before or after hitting the gym, which, for me means walking around in my gym clothes. And, while I don't mind looking like I'm either about go to or just finished a workout, I always feel kind of silly walking around in my sporty clothes with a nice leather handbag. But, my other option is to take a gym bag in the store with me, and that doesn't really work, either.

This week, I'm giving away a handbag that will solve that problem for one (very) lucky winner. It's the Pallie bags Harison Tote (pictured above in turquoise, but the winner will receive one in tangerine), and it's a perfect mix of casual and cute, tough and trendy.

Forget that boring black backpack -- toss your towel, water bottle, and iPod in this bag and hit the gym in style. Or, save it for occasions when your fancier purses just won't do. Or use it all the time -- I probably would. Want to enter? Follow the jump!

Most people start shifting to darker colors as the weather gets cooler, and you know what that means -- more chance for deodorant to show up all over your clothes! And, I don't know about you, but I never notice that I've given myself a whiteout until I've already reached my destination and it's too late to do anything about it --- other than hold my purse at an odd angle to try to cover the damage.

Fitness magazine has some suggestions for avoiding the dreaded deodorant-streaked shirt that I found helpful, and maybe you will too. First of all, find a deodorant that claims to not leave white streaks (duh!). Editors had three favorites -- Secret Platinum Invisible Solid, Degree Ultra Clear, and Dove Ultimate Clear.

Second, make sure you're applying it correctly. (What? There's a wrong way to put on deodorant?) Avoiding over-application is your best bet, so carefully apply just one swipe back and forth and give your skin enough time -- about 30 seconds -- to absorb it before putting on clothes. And, if that doesn't work, clean the streak off with a baby wipe or pre-moistened facial cleaning wipe.

I'm far more impressed when a brand uses an athlete to promote their sporting equipment or fitness attire than when they use a regular celebrity. I like to believe that, if an athlete is promoting it, he or she probably wears it, so it can't be all bad. It's a flawed belief, I know, but it works for me.

Adidas is hoping that women across the nation share my belief -- they've tapped Rainbeau Mars, yogini extraordinaire, to promote their yoga line. Next spring, Adidas Performance Stores across the nation will carry the new Rainbeau Mars Signature yoga activewear collection, which will be made from sustainable fabrics.

According to Adidas, Rainbeau had plenty of input in the creation of the collection, offering insight into what female yoga practitoners really need. In addition to that, the well-known yogini has done a series of ads for the brand (which you can see in the gallery) and shot an instructional video featuring famous athletes like Laila Ali and Steffi Graf, all with the theme "Play Yoga."