Pants That Won't Fall Down. And Other Stuff.

Here's my must-haves for working out, and for outdoor winter fitness:

1.  Under Armour Protegee front zip bra.  The best sports bra hands down.  I get asked about this one all the time.  If you have a problem with jiggle, this will solve it.  Consider buying a size smaller to keep things really buttoned-down. Find it in-store at Smith's Marketplace.

2.  Asics stability running shoe.  I'm not a fan of minimalist footwear. With my high arch and pronation I need more.  Lots of styles & colors.

3.  The Old Navy Active Compression Capri or Pant.  The other item I get asked about frequently.  They do not fall down.  Again, think about getting a size smaller than you would normally buy.  Compression.  The fabric breathes, and they fit in my budget.

4.  SuperFeet Green athletic inserts.  My feet are a problem, and these babies inside my Asics are a dream.

5.  Under Armour Neon No-Show socks. They do not slip down the back of your heel.  Sweet.

6.  Down Front athletic jacket, like this one at Old Navy.  Keeps my core toasty but lets my arms vent.

7.  Sunglasses.  Something light and cheap, because we all know what happens to sunglasses.  I like to not be able to make eye contact while I'm suffering.

8.  A beanie to keep my ears warm.  Don't get an ear ache.

9.  Old Navy Active Mesh top.  Light, breathable, and no sweat pits. Comes in lots of colors, and again, is budget friendly.

There you have it. Get sweaty today!

Compressions socks, the good and the bad

I ran in compression socks yesterday, on that very uncomfortable run.  I realize that it wasn't a totally fair trial, but despite how my gut felt, my legs felt great!

Compression sock are supposed to speed up the blood circulation in your lower legs which helps fight fatigue and also aids in recovery.

These are the socks I chose from backcountry.com, pretty much because they were cheap, but also because backcountry.com brand provides great quality for the price.  I chose size small (they're basically unisex) and I wear a women's 8.5-9 shoe.

I opened the package and thought "gosh, these look tiny" but sure nuf they pulled on.  Tip: you aren't supposed to gather them up like panty-hose when you put them on, but slide them up. This preserves their uniform compression.  Not sure how you're supposed to accomplish that.

I can report that my legs felt pretty good running. I wore them for about an hour after my run, and I do believe that my legs feel a little less tired this morning.  I will test them further.

And sometimes we need an image that sears itself into our brains, when you look at it and say "ok, things have gotten out of hand".  This was mine:

Good: made my legs feel good during and after my run
Bad: compression sock muffin top

Do some fun cardio today! And never underestimate the power of a good dose of reality!