Do you get discouraged at the store trying on clothes? Maybe you are on your weight loss journey.  I know I certainly get frustrated at all the brands/ sizes but, I have come up with survival tips to help you

Here are tips and tricks for finding clothing that has the perfect fit.

• DO be willing to try on several pieces.

• DON’T be discouraged. With time, you’ll find that shopping for your size is easier and more intuitive.

• DO look for button-down shirts in a cotton-Lycra blend, but DON’T use the extra “give” as an excuse to force yourself into the shirt!

• If you’re busty or have a wide back, DO look for side and/or waist darts when it comes to button-down shirts.

• DO check to ensure shoulder seams fit where they should on T-shirts, button-down shirts, sweaters and jackets.

• DON’T buy a skirt that rides up, or if the back hem is higher than the front.

• DO check that your pants fit well: no cupping under the seat, no puckering in front, no bulging at the sides or side pockets, no uncomfortable waistbands that you “spill over.”

When midway through a diet or fitness regimen:
• DO stick to cheap-n-cheerful pieces that you won’t mind donating to charity after a season or two.

• DON’T splurge on investment pieces now.

• DO motivate yourself with accessories like scarves and jewelry (or flattering makeup or hairstyles), all of which will make you look gorgeous now – and can be enjoyed whether you go up or down a size!

With easy online shopping and consumer-friendly return policies you can’t go wrong buying the gift of fitness fashion for family and friends (and who says you can’t do a little shopping for yourself at the same time?).

Whether exercising indoors or out, the key to a comfy workout is proper performance wear. There are so many fabulous fitness-wear choices these days – here are just a few great gift ideas that will suit any active girl.

You just might add one or two of these to your own list as well. Don’t worry, we’ll put in a good word for you at the North Pole!

MPG is a brand of clothing which fuses fashion sensibility with performance function.

In our drive to develop the ultimate active apparel, we have achieved garments that feel and look so great on, you will want to wear them for everyday use. MPG has effectively blurred the lines between fashion and performance.

I personally love the feel, warmth and color of this jacket.  The details are so different and the lenght is perfect. 

The Trek $68

Cozy microfleece jacket with a flattering fit, off-center front zipper design and reflective safety details.

• Fabric: 90% polyester, 10% spandex Windtex performance fleece, 320 gsm
• Trim: 88% polyester, 12% spandex jersey, 295 gsm
• Two-way stretch, moisture wicking, quick dry
• Breathable mesh insert details
• Multiple front pockets
• Fitted silhouette, longer back for best coverage
• High visibility reflective taping on sleeves and back hips

RECOMMENDED FOR: Layering, outdoor workouts, night running, warm ups

The Tough Girl Skirt

Here’s a great product for women working out in the winter season – running, gym or classes:  The Tough Girl Skirt from Skirt Sports.  It’s a skirt with pants attached that is a great alternative to regular ‘work out’ or fitness pants.  Comfortable, moisture wicking, and hides some of the things we don’t like to show off!!

• 12 inch outer skirt
• Boot-cut built-in running pants
• Two-panel outer skirt with high-compression liner fabric for Tummy-Tuck technology
• Pockets under the skirt
• Sonic music port
• Flatlocked stitching for comfort and performance
• Inseam for a medium ToughGirl Skirt is 30 1/4″

They’re new, different and fun – and selling like hotcakes.  Find the Tough Girl Skirt at Outdoor DIVAS stores in Denver and Boulder, CO and on line.  $89.95 online.

Firefly Pose Skirt (Tittibhasana)

Shabby Apple has a fitness line called Blossom and we think it is hot enough to sizzle.  For example, check out this skirt (and while you’re at it, the very cool tank too).

You will love the look and feel of this nylon/spandex blend fabric of this skirt. Shabby Apple claims your butt and legs will look great – and we’re believers!

Their bottoms feature a special 3″ waistband that can be folded over to show off your awesome abs, or (if you’re like us) pulled up to tuck in your mommy pouch(es), leaving your tummy flat!

With a fitted top and vents at side, a slight A-Line makes this skirt flattering yet perfect for your run.  This skirt also features built in fitted shorts that tighten up your tush and don’t ride up like most other skirts, becasue they are slightly longer than other leading brands.  The gorgeous graphic at bottom of skirt keeps it feminine and practical for any athlete.

Did we say sizzling?!

Skirt: $44.00 online.

Limited Edition Frogaliscious Funky-Back Tank

Get ‘em quick before they sell out. This holiday season, Canadian company TerraFrog is releasing two new designs: the Pale Pink Chain Link and the Pale Lime Chain Link limited edition Frogaliscious Tank. TerraFrog has already been bombarded with calls from customers across Canada and the USA wanting a sneak peek – and we’ve got it for you!

These limited edition Frogaliscious Funky Back Tanks add flare to any workout wardrobe. Detailed with a funky contrasting back panel that highlights the middle of your back while still allowing you to wear a regular bra, the style is fresh, funky and fabulous.

What makes TerraFrog Clothing Corp’s limited edition tanks so coveted?

• TerraFrog tanks are two inches longer than most tanks on the market. You can lift your hands up over your head and your tank won’t ride up.
• The 360 degree built-in power panel shelf bra is a ½ size smaller than the tank itself which gives you support in the chest without being too tight in the tummy.
• The tanks are made in limited quantities so if you are looking for something that is fresh and funky, exclusive, just a little bit different, these are for you.
• The Funky-Back Tanks are gorgeous yet functional. Made of sweat wicking fabric and providing support for the “ladies”, these fab tanks are more than just a pretty accessory.

$59.00 CDN online.

Polartec® Power Stretch® Headband

Reebok, one of the premiere shoe companies on the planet, is getting a boot in their butt from the legal system for false fitness claims. The now-famous toning shoeson the market claim to tone your legs and behind while you walk. The Federal Trade Commission begs to differ, and now Reebok is paying $25 million in damages.

“The FTC wants national advertisers to understand that they must exercise some responsibility and ensure that their claims for fitness gear are supported by sound science,” said David Vladeck, director of the Federal Trade Commission’s bureau of consumer protection.

The FTC says that there isn’t enough scientific proof to support the claim that walking in the EasyTone shoes or running in RunTone shoes can shape your legs and butt.

Ads began in 2009 with very specific claims, claims that the FTC says don’t hold up:

• Walking in the toning shoes could provide 28 percent more strength and tone in the buttock muscles compared with regular walking shoes.

• You could also see 11 percent more toning in the hamstring muscles and 11 percent more in the calf muscles.

“We stand behind our EasyTone technology – the first shoe in the toning category that was inspired by balance-ball training,” said Reebok in a company statement.

Reebok says they aren’t admitting guilt by accepting the settlement. That said, they still have to comply with a refunding offer to customers who bought the toning shoes. The refund amount will depend on how many people who apply for it.

Under the settlement, Reebok is no longer allowed to make health claims regarding the toning shoes or any other product “unless the claims are true and backed by scientific evidence.”

Will you be asking for a refund?

(via: LA Times

The following is a post sponsored by Fitness Footwear.  

Flip flops that are actually good for your feet and tone your body at the same time?  Sounds too good to be true, right?  We were thrilled when Fitness Footwear sent us a pair of FitFlops for one lucky GGS girl to review! 

When I opened the box, I thought the pair sent to me was totally cute.  They looked like a wedge sandal at approx. one inch height.  I love a wedged shoe!  Very sporty looking and I liked that the FitFlop logo on the front was not too visible.  Being from Western Canada, we can’t really wear flip flops until April,(if we are lucky) so I tried them on a recent trip to Cancun in March.  I wore them for about one hour there and the strap between my toes managed to create a huge blister.  I am not sure if it was because my sensitive feet were not used to that strap in between my toes after a long winter or if it was these shoes in particular.  So off they went until the nasty blister healed.  

Spring forward, I tried them on again when I got home, wearing them for the full day.  I have to tell you what I exactly experienced.  The  mid-sole is suppose to work your balance by slightly destabilizing your footing in the same way that a wobble board would.  It is almost like you have to curl your toes to walk in them.  These FitFlops don’t really ‘flip and flop’.  You don’t hear them like regular flip flops probably because your toes are so curled…. 

They were very comfortable for the whole day that I had them on.  I did not feel any burn or sensation in my legs, calves or buttock, like a work out. Or even like the Earth Footwear I reviewed.  I do however, think they do make your legs work a little harder when walking, so how cool is that!  I will continue to wear my FitFlops for the Summer and I will keep you up to date with my findings.  Yippeee to sandal season! 

Womens FitFlop Electra - Gold

They have loads of other cute, hip styles of FitFlops, check them out here~FitFlops 

This GGS girl gives FitFlops  out of 5 dumbbells.  

We are putting ’TONING’ Shoes to the ulimate test! See which ones the GGS crew think you should try out! 

We were lucky enough to get our hands on these pairs of ‘toning’ shoes:

• Reebok Toning shoes-Review-check out what a GGS Member had to say
• Sketchers Shape Ups-Review-check out what a GGS Member had to say
• EarthFoot wear Toning shoes-check out what a GGS Member had to say
• Champion Pace Toning Shoes~Check out what a GGS Member had to say
• New Balance’s Rock&Tone shoes~
• MBT’s-Check out what a GGS Member had to say

Reviews on GirlGetStrong.com reflect the personal opinion of the writer, whether it is good, bad or ugly.  No compensation was accepted by me or GGS Media Corporation for this review.  This product was sent to us for review.

This post has been re-visited.  Please note that there are many more styles coming out for this Spring/ Summer.

As the weather is slowly heating up in most parts of North America, more people are still indoors to get their workout done.  Including me.  I was very happy when New Balance sent me a pair of New Balance 871 training shoe that was designed for cardio workouts and boot camps classes.  Yipeee.  Once the weather heats up a touch, I will be testing these shoes in a killer bootcamp I did last year.

The American College of Sports Medicine named boot camps as one of the top 20 workout trends of 2011. With the range of high-intensity activities that boot camps offer, participants need to wear a shoe that lets them tackle all of these types of exercises with protection and ease.

I absoultey loved the funky colors of the shoes that were sent to us . Grey mesh with hot pink trim.  Super. Cute.

I tested these shoes in my favorite cardio classes at my new gym .  My feet felt very stable and supported in these shoes while doing the class.  If the shoes do not have enough support, the sides of my feet become very sore from all of the twist, turns, ups and downs but not with these shoes.  These shoes ROCKED that class like a rockstar I have tried these shoes doing all of the cardio machines and my feet hummed through them all.  Legs were screaming more than humming, especially doing the killer stair stepper. 

I am really digging these shoes! 

Boston-based New Balance will introduce a low profile, versatile and supportive boot camp trainer this spring. Designed to provide the ultimate in lateral stability and offer versatility on all surfaces and in all conditions, the New Balance 871 is a great choice for athletes engaging in high intensity, interval workouts. The 871 launched in February 2011 and retail for $84.95.

 Boot camps involve body weight exercises, plyometrics, and sprints; athletes need shoes that will enable them to tackle activities such as cone drills, stair jumps, and mountain climbers. A brand new shoe for New Balance, the 871 does just that. It is a great every day trainer targeted at the active 28-45 year-old who is looking to improve or maintain their health and fitness.

 Some of the many features and benefits of the New Balance 871 include:

• A low profile Acteva midsole provides excellent footwork control, enabling quick stops and direction changes, all without the fear of rolling an ankle

• N-ergy responsive cushioning technology offers premium shock absorption, dispersion, and energy return, which allows for a quick response, perfect for stair jumps and box jumps

• A forefoot strapping system visible on the lateral and medial sides provides excellent lateral support perfect for lateral cone jumps and other side-to-side movements

• An aggressively lugged outsole pattern and outdoor inspired lugs provide optimal traction, important for mountain climbers, push-ups and other activities for all surfaces grass, dirt, pavement, sand or even on a traditional gym floor

• Suede reinforcements in the vamp, eye row, and quarter of the shoe offer extended durability without adding a significant amount of weight

• A pivot point allows for smooth direction changes

This shoe provides optimal traction for all surfaces…grass, dirt, pavement and the gym floor AND it offers great protection for workouts from weight exercises, plyometrics and sprints. They are a super versatile shoe so your workout can be too!

This GGS girl gives New Balance 871 shoes   out of 5 dumbbells.  They have even more groovy colors in these shoes at the site, so click through to New Balance 871   see what you would choose.