UPDATED!! PRO COMPRESSION SOCKS REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY!!!

There are a ton of products out there that go along with running. There are belts, water bottles, tech shirts, shorts, special shoes and socks. I have looked over a ton of products to find out what I need, what I must get and what is recommended for runners. I mean, I'm not a professinal or anything but, I would love to have the products that will help me avoid injury, keep me safe and keep my going.

One of the products that I kept seeing are compression socks and sleeves. I didn't really know too much about them other than they are always earning the praises by athletes.

I read an online review of the ProCompression socks and the review was so positive, I wanted to try some for myself. The wonderful people at ProCompression were kind enough to send me a pair to wear and see if they were something I would enjoy and recommend to others. 

I opened the package and saw the pink:

I received the Marathon Pink Compression Sock!

I tried them out when I did my usual three mile run on the treadmill.  I could notice a different right away.  The sock literally hugs your calves and keeps it tight.  They are comfortable, supportive and look great ;)

For those that wonder what the purpose is of compression gear, here is some information from the ProCompression site:

Why PRO Compression Socks?

 

The benefit of wearing compression socks over 26.2 miles, 18 holes or 8 hours at work is the delay of muscular breakdown that comes from spending hours on your feet. PRO Compression works against gravity by helping your vascular system increase blood flow which relieves discomfort and assists in recovery. The minute you put them on, you’ll understand why PRO Compression socks are the World’s Best Athletic Performance Socks!

 

I found that wearing the socks after my run was really great because my calves were not sore or tired.  I am so thankful that ProCompression is so confident in their product that they gave me a pair to try.  I love my socks and they look and feel great. Here is a pic of me wearing my socks before a run:

Don't pay attention to the messy house, just the socks!

 I would definitely recommend compression socks for those of you looking for that extra support and to help ease discomfort after working out.  Compression socks are not just for runners, you can even wear them to your job, especially if you are on your feet all day.

Do you want to get a pair?  ProCompression is such a great company, that they are offering a great discount during the month of April!  They are giving a discount for the socks of the month and they are donating a portion of the sales to charities that support Team in Training and Train 4 Autism

April Sock of the Month products were selected based on colors used by these organizations. Enter coupon code SOMF4 for 40% off and free shipping for the purchase of all Purple and Blue items in our store, including Tour and Trainer Low socks! Click here to shop now.

Do you want to win a pair?! Yes, that is right, one of my lucky readers is going to win a pair of their very own ProCompression socks!! 

UPDATE: The winner of the giveaway is comment #47, Junebug!!  Congratulations, I will be in touch to get your shipping information!  A huge thank you to everyone that entered the giveaway!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
This giveaway is for one pair of ProCompression socks to be sent by the company at the closing of the giveaway.  The giveaway will end on April 20th, 2013 at 11:59pm EST.  Please follow the directions for your entries to be counted. A winner will be chosen using Random.org and will receive an email with the information needed to claim the prize.  If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. 

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a comment here to tell me why you would love your own pair of ProCompression socks. 

Additional Entries:

1.  Become a Facebook fan of ProCompression here. Leave a comment telling me you did so.
2. Follow ProCompression on Twitter here.  Leave a comment telling me you did this.
3. Like my Rediscovering Me Facebook page here.  Leave a comment telling me you did this.
4. Tweet about this giveaway and come back to post a comment with the link to your tweet.

Good luck!!

Disclaimer:  I was sent a free pair of ProCompression socks in exchange for my honest review of the product.  I was not scripted nor compensated for my review. I really do love this product and recommend it to anyone!

 

 

 

What is Your Word? A Review and Giveaway!

UPDATED: WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!!

When I began running and working out more, I struggled.  I would get out on the road and start and I'd have to stop after awhile because I just didn't have the endurance or stamina to keep going.  The advantage to running outside was that I could use visuals to continue on by saying to myself, okay just run to that telephone pole, then that green mailbox, just make it to the top of that hill, etc.

 It actually worked for me and I began running farther and was able to keep going.  However, just those small goals weren't quite enough, I began having to talk to myself out loud.  Some things I would say, you can do this, how bad do you want to fit into your clothes that are too tight and my personal motto, you are worth this!

I was online one day and came across a site that was promoting a company that carries merchandise that is perfect for those that need the motivation to get their workouts in and keep going. Endorphin Warrior is an online company that can provide you with those words of encouragement when you need it most. 

They carry bracelets, rings, shirts, hats and even keyrings.  There are plenty of words or phrases to choose from.  I had a hard time deciding which word I wanted to receive because they are all perfect. I could see that most of the words would inspire me to just keep moving forward.  I chose "Unbreakable" for my bracelet because when I don't feel like working out or I am hurting physically, I push myself to do it.  When life has me stressed out, worn out and feeling down, I just push myself to keep doing it. Here is a photo of my bracelet:

I absolutely love it! It is comfortable, fashionable and lightweight.  It fits great on my wrist and to ensure that everyone can wear theirs, they tell you how to measure your wrist for the bracelets.  I have small wrists so initially, that was something I was worried about.  I didn't want to have a bracelet that was always moving up and down my arm or nearly falling off.  This is just perfect.

I have been wearing my bracelet daily for a week and have had no issues at all. It has a snap closure so it is easy to get off and on. 

Endorphin Warrior is also encouraging young kids to run and get physically active by donating $1 from every order in March to support a local youth running club for lower-income kids!  My 12 year old son participates in a school running club so I love that this company is giving back to the community! 

Also, during the month of March, they are giving customers a FREE dog tag/key ring to anyone who places an order on their website!

Would you like to get your hands on your very own Warrior Training Bracelet with the word or phrase of your choice?! I thought so.....here is your chance! The folks at Endorphin Warrior and I are working together to give one of my readers their very own bracelet!  Make sure you check out the details below for your chance!

The Giveaway Details:
For your entry into the giveaway, please follow the directions below. I will use Random.org to draw a winner.  The giveaway will end on March 31st so be sure to enter today! Please make sure you comment for the mandatory entry.  On March 31st, a winner will be chosen and an email will be sent to get your shipping information along with your wrist measurement and keyword or phrase choice. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. Thank you for entering, be sure to spread the word!

Mandatory Entry:  Please leave a comment on this post telling me which keyword or phrase you would like to receive. Feel free to tell me why also.

Additional Entries:

Like Endorphin Warrior on Facebook by clicking here and come back and let me know you did.

Follow Endorphin Warrior on Twitter here and come back and let me know you did.

Like Rediscovering Me on Facebook here and come back and let me know you did.

Subscribe to The Balance of Us either in the RSS feed or through Google Friend Connect, the links are on the right sidebar. Come back and let me know you did.

Tweet about this giveaway, you can tweet about the giveaway and come back and leave a comment with the link to your tweet.

An example of a tweet:

"I just entered to win an Endorphin Warrior Training Bracelet at http://thebalanceofus.blogspot.com, you should check it out!"
 

AND THE WINNER IS...... COMMENT #23 ASHLEY MCLURE!  YOU ARE MY WINNER, I EMAILED YOU, PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR ADDRESS, WORD AND BRACELET SIZE SO I CAN LET ENDORPHIN WARRIOR KNOW AND THEY WILL GET YOUR BRACELET OUT TO YOU!!

 

Good luck!!!

Disclaimer: I received an Endorphin Warrior Training Bracelet for reveiw and the winner of this giveaway will receive one as well. I was not compensated monetarily for my opinions and the opinions are my own.  I really do love this product and encourage my readers to get one for themselves.