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.

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The demise of a marriage is difficult enough to deal with -- imagine how much more trying it would be if every explosively-bitter detail were splashed across the media. How do celebs deal with that kind of public anguish? If you're soon to be ex-Mr. Madonna, you drown your sorrows ... in beer and cheeseburgers.

Guy Ritchie, the British director who made international headlines when he married the first lady of pop, is apparently finding comfort in McDonald's take-out and late nights at the pub. But who can blame him after years of following a macrobiotic diet under Madge's reign? Still, if you're going through a public divorce, you don't want to be the one who gains weight -- especially when your ex is the uber-fit Madonna.

(via Calorie Lab)

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I don't know what the weather is like where you live but in my state, the weather is decidedly chilly. We haven't seen our first snowflakes yet, but the grass is tipped with frost each morning. When the thermometer takes a nose dive, warm and comforting foods are on my family's menu. I make a mean chicken noodle soup as well as a standard vegetable, but I recently tried something new that was a major hit with my son.

I heard about a taco soup, so I ventured forth without a recipe in hand. I made the broth with tomato sauce and organic beef broth. Then I added two cans of rinsed and drained black beans and a can of drained corn. I also added a packet of taco seasoning -- but it would be healthier to use seasonings that aren't as high in sodium. Once the soup was heated through, I ladled it over some crushed blue corn chips and topped it with a little cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, lettuce, and a little dab of sour cream. It was completely delicious! And other than the indulgences of chips and sour cream, it was quite healthful.

If you're feeling the chill, try out one of these simple soup recipes from Fitness magazine. Or check out Jacki's post on 12 great ways to supplement your soup.

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I have been sleeping in ecstasy for the past few weeks. Yes. I have a Sleep Number Bed. Not only do I have a Sleep Number Bed, but I have the new kind with Memory Foam on top. Mmmmmm. It's amazing. In fact, I didn't realize how poorly I was sleeping until I got this bed.

I value sleep. I'm a fitness trainer, fitness enthusiast, mother of two and writer of far too many things. I need to sleep, and I need to sleep well in order to accomplish the ridiculous amount of tasks that fill my days. Are you familiar with this insane style of living? I bet many of you are.

Sleep is such a powerful tool. In fact, it's a requirement for professionals and parents and growing children too. Think of it this way. Exhausted people don't work out. Those running on fumes struggle to achieve the bare minimums of each day and then toss and turn at night, unable to get to sleep quickly. Sleepless people tend to eat poorly and gain weight as a result as well. The bottom line? Quality sleep is a crucial component for vitality, fitness and success.

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I hate to admit it, but the iPod revolutionized the way I run. I remember my first run with it -- nothing bulky to hold, no switching sides of the tape -- just pure, energizing music. It helped me to run faster and further; however, I've run into a problem. I can't find earphones I like.

My original iPod earbuds fit me perfectly -- they stayed in place and caused no pain. However, they recently stopped working, so I tried my husband's earbuds -- no luck. I don't know what's different, but something is, and they slide out of my ears. I tried two other types of earphones -- one pair that was like earbuds but hooked over my ears, and the one that was like a standard set of earphones that also hooked over my ears -- and neither of them worked for me, either. The first didn't stay in place and the second pair really hurt the tops of my ears.

Do you have a pair of earphones you really like? I found this forum with some suggestions, but I'll hold off on shopping until I hear from some That's Fit readers.

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Go ahead. Eat when you're stressed. Just make sure you don't grab anything sweet, salty, crunchy, or greasy. I know, stress drives you toward diet-dangerous comfort foods but when you're overwhelmed and anxious, mellow food is what you need -- like meals and snacks to clear your head and ease your tensions. Try these.

• Prepare mini-bags of carrots and almonds. Aim for 15 carrots and 15 nuts per bag. The bottom line: 165 calories and 10 g healthy fat.

• Mix up snack packs of sunflower seeds and dried cherries. Loaded with soothing complex carbs, antioxidants, and vitamin E, this treat with its 165 calories and 4 g fat will both satisfy and heal.

• Top a whole wheat bagel with two teaspoons honey mustard, two slices tomato, and two ounces of smoked salmon -- all for the price of 410 calories, 8 g fat, and 1 g saturated fat.
  
  

For more real simple snack ideas -- these intended to hold you over until dinner's ready -- click here.

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Sometimes a granola bar just doesn't do the trick like a bowl full of macaroni and cheese. Comfort foods have a place in healthy lifestyles too, it just takes a little variation to make them stand out! If you're a culinary enthusiast or just interested in making your own healthy snack, take a look at these 5 healthy comfort food recipes that anyone can try in his or her own kitchen.

The best part is that these servings are less than 250 calories, so they can make for a great meal alternative or mid-day snack. My favorite has got to be the baked chicken nuggets. Instead of using bread crumbs to produce that desired texture, you can try coating them with crushed Cornflakes. This gives the simulation of batter, and there is no need for frying.

Of course it's hard to talk about comfort food without mentioning chili. Vegetable chili may sound like a knock-off version of the meaty real thing, but it would be very easy to adapt this healthy recipe using turkey. Either way, if you can blend, chop or heat things up these recipes are not too difficult to pull off. Do you have any personal favorites when it comes to comfort food?

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Have you ever seen one of those Shiatsu massage chair accessories? They fit over certain chair backs and allow you to comfortably sit down while receiving a deep massage. Gadgets like these are growing in popularity, and with steep price stickers, it makes you wonder if they're really effective.

A professor at Duke University states that when you sit down on that chair, or stick your feet in a mechanical masseuse, or don the head spa, it will definitely start to make things feel better. However, those people with chronic pain are mostly getting the placebo effect.

There's nothing wrong with that either, of course. As this article asserts, feeling better is all the same! But before you drop all that money on an expensive gadget, check out their list of technological pain relievers to see how a clinical professor of neurology reviewed them. In the long term, the price paid for such gizmo's could definitely be cheaper than paying a professional to give you a massage. But if they go unused, it may be a waste of money.

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FitSpirit explores the mind-body connection and the intangible benefits we gain from our efforts to stay physically fit.

Sometimes I worry a bit much. Apparently, I'm not alone. Almost 40 percent of us worry every day, a habit that compromises our minds, our bodies, our spirits. Worrying is simply bad for our health. And we really need to cut it out. HealthyUpdates.com lists four steps we can take to minimize worry.

Step One: Make Worrying Matter

If we must worry, we should worry about productive matters only. Forget the weather. We have no control over that. But we do have control over matters involving a vacation, for example. Productive worry is asking yourself, "Do have a map?" or "Do I have a car reserved?" It's productive because you can take action on these items. Since it's relaxing to make progress on something tangible, this is the type of worry you want.

Step Two: Embrace Novelty

We worriers tend to avoid trying new things because it makes us uncomfortable. But a little discomfort is just what we need. Challenging our comfort zones will eventually help us rely less on worry as a coping strategy.

Step Three: Reframe

Try to reframe situations until you see them as positive opportunities. If you're stressed about moving, think about what you'll gain from the experience, not what you might lose.

Step Four: Wait it Out

Remember: Most emotions are temporary. Tell yourself your worries will not overwhelm you or last a really long time. Because realistically, they won't.

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One of the best days of my life has to be when I got my own phone line in junior high school and was finally able to chat away to my girlfriends without the watchful eye of my parents -- or worse -- my little brother. 'Girl talk' is a favourite pastime among females of all ages. I know men probably wonder what women can talk about for hours at a time but the answer is -- everything. From major-life changes to issues as small as what brand of toilet paper is best, girls can make it seem like the most important topic in the world.

But girl talk can be harmful too -- especially to adolescent females. A recent study shows that excessive chatting young girls can lead to anxiety and depression. I believe it; in my early teens, a large part of the time I spent chatting to girlfriends was spent gossiping about other girls and verbally tearing them down. When I wasn't talking to friends, I was worried about what they were saying about me. I wouldn't go back to that time in my life for the world -- young women can be horrifically cruel.

And yet talking to friends can be a source of comfort and inspiration. What do you think the solution is here?

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There is nothing like the ups and downs of dating to sabotage a healthy eating plan and work-out schedule. Whether you love it or hate it, it is an unhappy fact that for many people dating can be very dangerous for the waistline. Gaining weight while in a relationship does not have to be inevitable.

According to this, there are several stages for both singles and those with mates that can be dangerous. While many people who are looking for a soulmate will hit the gym in order to look their best, those who are single and feeling lonely may be more likely to overeat as a way of dealing with their feelings.

At the same time, those who are in a relationship tend to eat out more, indulge in desserts or wine and, after being in a relationship for a while, get comfortable and begin to neglect how they look. And there is nothing like a bad break-up to drive a normally healthy eater to seek comfort at the bottom of a carton of Haagen Dazs. If any of this sounds familiar and you want some advice and motivation, have another look at the article for tips and suggestions on staying fit while dating.

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I totally know about the "happy binge." I just really love to eat, and whether I'm feeling bummed out or celebrating something awesome, I always tend to think of it as "extenuating circumstances" that give me permission to put my diet on hold. Of course there's nothing wrong with treating yourself every now and then when something special happens, it's just important that you make sure it doesn't get out of hand. Pretty soon what started at "I got a promotion!" turns into "It's Saturday!" or "My favorite TV show is on!"

This post on iVillage.com tells a sweet story about a girl who had a great day followed by a "happy binge," and how talking with her friend helped her feel better about the whole thing and less likely to binge again over emotions, good or bad.

I don't think any amount of talking can prevent all "potato chip attacks," but I bet it can help stop a few.

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Ice cream, chocolate, anything slathered in cheese ... If this sounds like a few things you like to indulge on when the going gets tough, then you're in the "comfort food club" along with the rest of us. Everyday life is hard sometimes and can lead to stress or hypertension, but one doctor warns that cramming such food can be doing more harm than good.

The Saturday Early Show featured Dr. Mallika Marshall, who shared a few snack suggestions that could ultimately reduce that headful of stress. While some say the actual stress-pruning power is debatable, you can't argue with the other health benefits of eating things like almonds, blueberries and fish.

Read on for the skinny about how making a few snack choices can help curb the stress or slake your appetite.

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