I recently became a brand ambassador for ENERGYbits. And I rarely pitch products on here, but these I love. Plus, you can get 20% off with promo code PUGLIFE!
A few months ago, I heard fellow runners evangelizing on how amazing ENERGYbits were, and I knew I had to try them. I am allergic to almost everything in common running fuel; the more natural it is, the more likely I am to be allergic (hello coconut sweeteners).
I will also say, I am very happy with my Vanilla Gu, but you can’t Gu all the time, nor would you want to! I also like roasted sweet potatoes on long runs, but that’s not always convenient. I don’t like raisins and figs can be messy, and I have found pretzels to be too dry, but love about four M&Ms around mile 10! Yeah, I could also eat a grilled cheese or a taco around mile 10 as well–except I am a “No Meat Athlete” when training, well mostly, as I will break for Carne Asade Nachos in San Diego.
I heard someone recently say that all you need on a run is sugar and not protein. And let me tell you, as someone whose blood sugar drops like crazy while exercising or in heat, that’s just not true. One of the best ways to level out your blood sugar is by eating high quality protein. Roasted sweet potatoes are great for that. I can eat a honey stick, but that’s a quick high and a quick crash. I need to level out and maintain, so I choose protein. Enter ENERGYbits.
The company explains why ENERGYbits®are so popular with runners, athletes and fitness enthusiasts:
When a handful of ENERGYbits® are swallowed 10 -15 minutes prior to a workout, race, game or run, they provide a steady flow of energy, eliminate fatigue and speed recovery, all naturally and all without digestive distress. The reason is simple. ENERGYbits® do not contain any caffeine, sugar or chemicals yet they have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%), all in amino acid form which are absorbed instantly to provide a steady flow of glucose. ENERGYbits® also contain 40 vitamins/minerals, natural nitric oxide to open blood vessels, antioxidants to fight free radicals, Omega 3 to reduce inflammation, iron to prevent fatigue and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. All this from just one ingredient –organic spirulina and all for just one calorie per tab.
I had been sneaking ENERGYbits from other people prior to ordering my first bag. I would pop a handful before a run and go. They didn’t bother my stomach (cause I don’t need to go to the potty anymore while running) and they seemed to give me the same energy as eating a plate of food an hour prior. Yes, I am one of those people who can eat a giant meal and then go for a run, and it will be the best run of the week.
With my first bag, I started taking bits a little more seriously. I came up with a routine that worked for me. I would take 30-50 with my breakfast before all morning runs. I hate mornings. Hate them! Then I would pop a handful about 15 minutes before my run and then a handful at the halfway point. If I felt hungry or drained after the run, I would have another handful after the run. Now remember, I shove all kinds of food and fuel into my giant SparkleSkirt pockets, so I had a range of items to reach for on my runs. This routine works well for me during training. Gives me the energy I need to get up and go. For races, I have a more OCD routine of fueling every 30-45 minutes, but that’s for another post.
Do I notice a difference? Yes!!!!!! Mornings have always been hard for me. I have no energy. I don’t want to be awake nonetheless run. I am a night runner through and through, but Team Challenge practices in the morning (for a night race; it makes no sense to me!). ENERGYbits give me a little pep in my step.
As for races? I have been struggling with running since surgery number one in January 2012. You can read about it all over this blog. Well, I finally got below a 12-minute pace during a race. Just yesterday. And with my bits and my run/walk intervals, I felt great afterwards. I feel great today. It was only a 10k, but it was hilly!!!! In fact, every 10k, I’ve run since starting on bits has been a PR! So something is clicking.
Yes, my running buddy calls them frog food and we make jokes about it during runs. And yes, sometimes I need to chew something, and bits is not that thing. And yes, I sometimes still sneak a Vanilla Gu. But in the end, I am totally committed to these little green pills (as Artboy calls them).
SOME PROMO TEXT:
I’m not aware of anything that offers your body and the environment the blend of benefits you get from ENERGYbits® so I am excited to be working with them. I hope you’ll try them soon and when you do, use my promotional code PUGLIFE to get a 20% DISCOUNT! You can only purchase them online at www.energybits.com so when you check out, just enter discount code PUGLIFE into the coupon box and your discount will immediately show up on screen. The discount works on all products.
That’s right, I snagged the best bits promo code ever: PugLife!!!! I’ve been feeding bits to the pugs as treats as well. They can’t get enough of them, and it’s completely safe. I’m a crazy pug lady, so perhaps the change I see in Le Mops is in my head, but he likes them, so it’s all good. Spirulina algae is also good for dogs with kidney issues, like my little Lola may or may not have.
The promo code works on all the bits products: Energy, Skinny, Recovery, and Vitality. Each is either Spirulina or Chlorella algae, or a combo of the two. While you can mix and match, each is formulated to give you a boost in a certain area. Some are better for energy, while others are great for detox. Check out the website for more info, but know that the PugLife promo code works for all bits!
Excuse me, while I go pop some bits, and get on with life!!!!
