energybits review

Source: www.energybits.com

Happy Thursday, all! This week has been a rough one for me. I started having some sinus congestion starting on Sunday, and it's just been getting worse each day. The medicine I'm taking isn't working out very well. I'm not sure if it's an issue with allergies, or if it's a sinus infection working it's way in. Either way, my sleep has suffered, but fortunately, I've been able to power through my runs regardless.

A few months back, I saw a lot of people talk about ENERGYbits and using the hashtag #poweredbybits on Twitter, including some runners I look up to. As my interest in the product grew, I decided to reach out to the twitter account (@ENERGYbits) with a few questions, and was offered a sample to try for myself. Jonathan, ENERGYbits Brand/Community Manager, emailed me promptly with information about the product and that he would send me a sample to try. I received the envelope about two weeks later, and it contained not one, but two samples. Yay!

A single serving sample bag (3" x 3.75")
containing 30 ENERGYbits.

Unfortunately, it took me a while to have the chance to try them out! I had gone on runs, but I really wanted to try them out on a long training run. I definitely didn't want to give it a go on a race day, as you never want to try anything new. Though I had heard they were easy on the stomach, I didn't want to risk it (I also get paranoid about random reactions that might occur, and wanted to be close to home if something weird were to happen). I wanted to give the product it's best shot at making an impression, so waited for a good time to use the two samples I received within a few weeks of each other – that way, I could (hopefully) see a difference in how the runs went with the product vs not. I also wanted to take them more than once (I was given two samples, so it was perfect), as one try never gives you a great idea of how it actually works and the affect it would have on my energy level/body.

Source: ENERGYbits Facebook page

Well, folks, I finally got the chance to try them out on two long-ish runs, and I've gotta say, they really worked well! I was quite the skeptic, since I was wondering if it maybe was a placebo effect, but on the second run I still felt a significant difference in my energy levels. I was really tired prior to heading out for my second run, too, and I noticed that it practically vanished once I took some bits (about 15 minutes prior to starting) and then pounded out some miles, feeling a steady energy the whole way. That usually never happens with any other product I've taken. The first run with them was a 6.1 mile and the second was 7.11 miles. For some, that might be fast enough not to warrant any fuel, but not this girl haha. I am now a believer in the power of bits. 

I also didn't experience any random reaction, or the usual crash (clean, steady energy, baby!). Another bonus: no stomach problems! I'm not one to usually have stomach issues with other chews, sports beans, etc. (I don't do the gels – not a fan of the texture), but you just never know. So all of this was a relief :) 

I took a half serving my first try (15 bits), to make sure all was well, and then took the full serving of 30 for my second trial. I swallowed them (as suggested) like a pill – using water to get them all down. I have to admit, they smelled a little funky, but I didn't notice any taste (I know, I know, I wasn't chewing, but you know how sometimes, pills that smell also have a weird taste, even when you don't chew them? Just me?). I'm not great with taking pills, so I took groups of 5 at a time (rather than the whole lot in one go) until I finished the serving, which really only took 15-30 seconds. I'm a baby, what can I say – I prefer the gummy vitamins over non-chewables. This 'What to expect' section of Energybits.com helps explain a bit more.

Source: www.energybits.com

It's also great knowing that it's just one, natural ingredient – 100% organically grown spirulina algae. A product with no artifical flavors or ingredients? Score. Not to say I don't eat any junk food and that I only eat products this healthy, but it's nice to know that during my runs—something that should be good for my body—I wasn't taking sugar (which leads to crashes) and other ingredients I can't pronounce. And there are only 30 calories per serving (30 bits=1 calorie per tab), if you are interested in that sort of thing.

Obviously, on really long runs, you would still need to take something else with some calories to help keep you fueled. When asked, Jonathon said that he uses PocketFuel. My runs weren't long enough to worry about that, but it was quite hot out (read: extra sweaty). I drank Nuun during my runs, and it seemed to go over well with the bits I had taken prior to the run. 

A lot of your fueling plan will be trial and error, so my advice would be to get out there, try things, and learn by trial and error. If you are prone to stomach issues, I would suggest knowing where bathrooms are on your route ;) I'm all about trying new things and seeing what works best for me and my body. Everyone is different.

I'm saving up some cash so I can buy me a whole bag of ENERGYbits and RECOVERYbits. For refrenece, ENERGYbits help with endurance and muscle recovery, while RECOVERYbits are chlorella algae, which helps boost the immune system (hoping these will keep me healthy during Dopey training, as I tend to get sick in the winter all the time).

I am not an ambassador or being compensated for this review in any way (though I did receive the samples for free, which were one serving each), so know that all opinions are my own. I would never endorse something that I didn't try or think worked. Obviously, others may have different opinions, and that's ok. I have to admit, though, that I have yet to find someone that says it didn't work for them – I'm sure they are out there (there's always some), but I haven't come across them.

Source: www.energybits.com

If you're curious, here is a little information about the company and ENERGYbits:

ENERGYbits is a new Boston based sports nutrition company. Our “bits” are rapidly becoming the fuel of choice for athletes and people looking to lead active lifestyles. ENERGYbits have the highest concentration of protein in the world and deliver a steady stream of energy, all naturally and all without sugar, caffeine, chemicals or stomach distress. Even better, ENERGYbits are the only protein in the world that also contain natural antioxidants and Omega 3 which reduce muscle inflammation, iron which prevents fatigue, chlorophyll which builds the immune system and electrolytes which replenish mineral imbalances, all for just one calorie per tab. No other protein offers all this.  

ENERGYbits are all natural too, because they are a food, not a supplement. They have just one ingredient - 100% organically grown spirulina algae. Algae has been used by Olympic athletes for over 50 years, but is still virtually unknown in the USA and Canada. We are the first company to bring algae to national attention as a high protein, high performance snack food for athletes and active consumers. 

ENERGYbits are only available at ENERGYbits.com, and Jonathan (their Community Manager) has shared with me that he'd be happy to give more info on their sample program - you can email him at jlevitt@energybits.com.

Editor's note: In early September, I became an ambassador for ENERGYbits, because I use them, believe in them, and want to help others discover their amazingness. Email me if you are interested in samples, or use code 'HeatherRuns' to receive 25% off your next bag of bits (ENERGYbits, RECOVERYbits, VITALITYbits, or SKINNYbits). Head on over to ENERGYbits.com and order your bag today :)

Provided by Jonathan.