When I was pregnant (oh gaw, I know, I know, I know, that's easily the 500th post I've written that begins that way and you will only understand why that's acceptable once you've grown a human in your body and then delivered it into the world...but anyway, back to the beauty and style stuff)...

I found a new inspiration in exercising. I wasn't doing it to slim down or stop cellulite in its tracks. I wasn't climbing up on that treadmill next to the weird old guys in plastic sandals at the Y just because swimsuit season was in sight. I wasn't cursing my way through 18 too many squats because the burn was actually good for my booty. I was doing it because (here comes the Susan Powter moment in 3...2...1) I wanted to feel good.

That is, I wanted to work out to feel good until I couldn't see my $50 pedicure with rhinestones, and then I just wanted to take a nap and gorge myself with red meat and McDonald's Ice cream cones. But that's beside the point. By the time the bun-baking was over and the timer on the boy was dinging, I felt like my body was prepared for giving birth. And that felt good, too.

Given all of this, that being pregnant and fit at the same time requires extra energy, more water, more accommodations for your changing body and escalating hormones, and maybe another person to help you get up off of the yoga mat, don't you think it is a good idea to work out in clothes you love?

Don't you think it is worth it to have a cheeky little tank and some super-stretchy but stylin' capris so you don't have to worry about leaving a big old belly print in your favorite pre-pregnancy microfiber tee?

Don't you think if you are going to drag yourself and your zygote to class, you deserve a fun mama-centered outfit or four?

Of course, of course. And while I highly recommend taking full advantage of the Liz Lange for Target activewear, especially when it is calling to you from the clearance rack, I also really think you should consider getting a little RockStarMoms for yourself, too.

RockStarMoms has all kinds of tempting maternity clothing, from halters fashioned from classic concert t-shirts to a convertible dress that will knock your socks off (if only you could bend over to put them on). They also have a line of yoga wear that celebrates your commitment to being healthy without forgetting your sense of humor.

The Buddha Belly set actually encourages the crazy cat hair lady in your yoga class to rub your belly rather than keeping all that goodness hidden away from strangers.

The Mod Set tells it like it is so you can keep quiet during final relaxation. And my absolute favorite, the Floating Baby Set, is the hip mama's "baby on board" sign for this millennium. I know. it is a little science-experimenty but it makes me laugh every single time.

Each yoga set includes a cotton tank and either capris or full-length comfy pants and rings up for just under $50. Considering you know you will wear these clothes almost everyday, that's not so much to put up.

And while you're cruising around the site, I advise stopping by the t-shirt and tanks section where you will find sweet and sassy shirts to stretch out over your pregnancy (and even beyond).

I think the Goddess tee is a must-have, not just as a good prenatal reminder of your body's miraculousness, but also to ride on the post-partum oxytocin wave. Trust a friend, you will be sore and tired and overwhelmed after giving birth, so this might just be the perfect thing to wear when you bring that baby home from the hospital.

There are so many good ones here, be prepared for making tough choices when ordering your pregnancy gear. Don't blame me, though, if you blow a paycheck on maternity t-shirts all in the name of yoga, aerobics or walking the track at the high school. And don't curse me for inviting you to buy the yoga pants you'll probably be wearing two or three years from now as the adorable little maternity get-up becomes the inevitable mommy uniform. Not to worry. As long as it makes you feel good, it's so worth it.