Powered by Bits? A Review.

Good Evenin' folks.

Hope everyone's week is going well--I had more dental work on Monday (awesome...) but my dentist wanted me to go home take some pain pills and chill since he thought the pain would be pretty harsh when the Novocaine wore off.  Got a doctor's note, and had a lovely rest day.  The pain wasn't all the bad--I'm gonna go ahead and say a stitch in my side sucks a lot more.

This week I'm trying to stick to my training schedule--this week is another 'scaling back' week, AKA 'Krissy, don't run 30 miles this week.'   I start my weeks on Sunday--so, the 5K (NUMBAH #1 20-29 DIVISION--WHAT'S UP, BITCHES!!), Rested Monday, 5.25 yesterday, and 3.2 today.   I feel almost chump-ish for not doing more today. Three miles seems way too short nowadays. 

Right, get on with it Krissy--PRODUCT REVIEW!

To start, these comments and opinions are mine and mine alone--EnergyBits were sent to me to try and review without any promise of payment, just my honest thoughts on this product--just want to make all that clear.  Onward!

Friday, I came home to find a package with samples of EnergyBits in my mailbox.

So...what are these green little do-dads?  They are 100% organically grown spirulina algae.  Algae??  Yes!  EnergyBits are said to:

• Increase Energy 
• Increase Endurance
• Increase Mental Vitality
• Be a High Protein Snack
• Curb Hunger 
• Be a Meal Replacement
• Balance Blood Sugar
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Reduce Fatigue 

The thing to remember about EnergyBits is that this algae is actually a food--not a supplement.  Spirulina algae is the most protein dense food out there--64% of the algae IS PROTEIN.  The United Nations has said that Spirulina algae is THE most nutritious food on earth.  Each EnergyBit (slightly bigger then a tic-tac, I'd say) is one calorie, and the suggested serving size is 30 bits before any workout, if you're feeling tired and need a boost, or needing a quick filling snack.  You can either chew or swallow the bits, it'll work no matter how you ingest it.  I suggest swallowing.  I tried chewing one and it was stuck in molars--I had to scrape it out with a plastic fork(it worked..) so I could get the rest of ONE bit down.  The taste wasn't terrible--but it's not something I would order in a restaurant, for sure--but yes, swallowing seemed to be far more efficient.

I decided I would try them for both my runs that weekend.  I had planned at 10 mile run on Saturday, woke up downed 30 EnergyBits followed by a Honey Stinger Waffle and then got ready to roll (much later then usual).  The first 20 or so minutes were rough, but out of nowhere I got a burst of focus and energy and felt like I powered through the rest of my long run--I actually ended up going 10.5 miles, and felt like I could have done more--seriously.  My pace on a long run was the best it's ever been for my FIRST double digit mileage run--9:30/mile--I didn't think I was even going that quickly!  The only thing different were the EnergyBits addition.

That Sunday (usually a rest day--oops) I had signed up for a 5K a few weeks back.  Got up early, popped another 30 bits with some water chased with coffee (I thought maybe they would melt and dissolve and get absorbed quicker with hot coffee...scientific here.) and off we went.  As you all know I was nearly shitting my pants I was so nervous--but after the first half-mile I got in a good groove and had a 8ish min/ mile during Mile 1, a 7ish min/mile for Mile 2, and finished 24th overall and FIRST (how're ya doing, awww yeaaaah.) in my female age division.  No joke.

Now, I only got to try these twice--but from what I can tell EnergyBits and spirulina algae are the real deal.  I really did feel quite the difference in my runs and my energy level during them. 

In short:

Pros:  Increased energy and focus, increased endurance, easy to swallow bits

Cons: Chewing them was not a good experience, swallowing 30 with water definitely made my belly bloat a bit (but I'm a pus when it comes to swallowing pills--PTSD from a penicillin tab in my youth--I remember specifically!)  and lastly--the cost of the bits is a BIT MUCH *rimshot*.

The last one is a big one for me....1,000 bits will run you $115--If you only use the bits once a day it's about a month's worth of bits.  That's roughly 11 cents a bit.  Yes, there are coupon codes--but eventually you're still going to pay quite a bit of money for 'em.    I'm a new homeowner and I just graduated--so I'm paying some crazy-ass student loan bills--on top of all the other bills I have--and $100+ dollars is a kind of a lot--even for something like this that works.  I just can't justify it--and I'm a big proponent of "you don't have to spend a shit-ton of money to be healthy." 

So, EnergyBits--while a great product, and what I felt worked (but like I said, I only tried them twice)--but there are other organic Spirulina algae products out there where a month's worth of the product will cost you less then half of what EnergyBits cost.  I really enjoyed talking with the folks over at EnergyBits--they were all super knowledgeable about EnergyBits--and that's always refreshing--when people marketing the product have passion behind it.   

Like I said, though, right now--this chick just can't afford to be #PoweredByBits.

Thank you for the chance to sample the Bits, though guys--I really appreciate it!

That all being said--how much are you willing to FORK over (hah!) for your specialty nutritional needs (i.e: organic foods, gels, bars, gummies, ect. ect.)?

That's all for this review!

How is everyone doing on Pile on the Miles??  To date I'm at 58.68 Miles logged over halfway to my 100 mile goal--I think I got this people!

Sleep tight, ya'll and...

Go Fork Yourselves,

Krissy