Thursday, July 11, 2013

5 Reasons I Love Energy Bits!

Thanks to Energy Bits and Vitality Bits I have had spirulina algae and chlorella algae as part of my diet for several months now.
These little bits are not a supplement, they are food.  100% dehydrated organic algae.  No side effects, no chemicals, no filler.  Just great algae.  For more info on bits, click here.




I love adding bits to my diet SO much and I am sure I will continue to share, but for today, here are the top 5 reasons that I love Energy Bits:

1.  I never worry about being hungry.
I deal with low blood sugar and when my blood sugar is low, I start to feel "not real."  This triggers my anxiety and it just isn't a fun situation.  I try to pack healthy snacks and to make sure to eat small snacks throughout the day.  But you and I both know that it is easy to run out the door without grabbing anything or to get stuck at a ball game or in traffic and being starving.  Thanks to my travel tin of bits I know that I will always have a great source of fuel with me.  I will have 10-20 bits when I am hungry but not in a spot to eat a full meal.  The bits fill me up, regulate my blood sugar, and keep me feeling great until meal time!

2. Plant Protein!
That's right, algae is really high in protein.  All of the bits contain at least 60% protein per serving.  A steak or piece of chicken typically contains 20-30% protein.  So, not only am I getting more bang for my buck, so to speak, I am also getting protein without eating an animal, something that I am always on the fence about.  So, to all of my vegan and vegetarian friends...you need bits in your life!

3.  I have stamina and energy.
When I have a handful of bits between classes or before a workout I feel great.  It isn't a jittery, crazed feeling like energy drinks, etc, provide.  I just feel great.  You know, that feeling that it's your best workout ever, you aren't tired, you just feel good.  And I love that.  As much as I love a good cup of coffee, I hate feeling nervous or overly energized.  EnergyBits are all natural so it's basically like I sat down to a giant salad, not a giant bucket of chemicals.

4.  My hair, skin and nails are so healthy!
I didn't really pay attention to that part when I was gathering information, but after adding bits to my diet I noticed how strong my nails are now.   And how I don't need to put lotion on my hands, that are normally chronically dry.  And my hair is growing faster, it seems...take a look at my roots if you don't believe me :)  It was an unexpected bonus for me and I am really enjoying it!  I noticed the benefits in less than a weeks time.

5.  They come in handy when I am at work.
A typical shift for me looks something like this:  teach a private Pilates session, teach a group Pilates session, teach a cycle class, teach a yoga class, teach a private session.  With less than 3 minutes between each of those it is difficult to grab a bite to eat and I used to end up starving and feeling horrible.  (See #1)  Thanks to bits I can pop 10-15 in my mouth, sip some water, and I am good to go.  It's a meal in astronaut form!  I don't feel very professional, even if my students understand, munching on nuts or carrots during their warm-up.  It is hard for me to talk, spot, etc.  Energy Bits have allowed me to get past this without starving.

Have you tried Energy Bits or any of the bits line?

Do you have questions?  Let me know!  I love talking about bits and the benefits.
Check out the bitsofhealth.com site, also Google away.  I am a googler and before giving them a try wanted to do as much research as possible.  The only negative I can possibly find or think of on my own is that bits taste like fish food.  But you can swallow them whole, so that negative doesn't really count, does it?  :)  

Forward From The Heart readers get 15% off of their order, just use the code HEART at checkout!


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Pilates and Running

Hi friends!
I just love doing guest posts on blogs.  It is a way for me to meet and get to know even more of you out there in the blogosphere.
So, a few months ago, when I saw on Twitter that Robin was looking for guest posters I jumped, or ran, for the chance!
Check out my post on Pilates and Running here.

Also, I want to know:

What has helped you with your running?

What has Pilates helped you with?  Do you run faster,  sit more comfortably, hike farther thanks to Pilates?


Monday, July 1, 2013

Fighting Temptation




On my way home from work in the evenings I pass a brand new Quik Trip gas station that has soft baked pretzels.  A carb-loaded treat that always sounds so good after an evening of teaching.  I have yet to stop and get one and last night, as I was driving home, a tweet popped into my head:
"I am just as tempted as the next person to stop and get junk food.  The difference is that I don't."
A snarky humblebrag that popped into my head but I decided against tweeting.  Instead, I am blogging about it.  I don't want it to sound snarky, I want it to be motivating.  To myself and to others.  It is a testament to my willpower that I don't stop, and sometimes I feel like my willpower is zero.
While I don't usually stop for junk food, I do tend to over indulge in sweets, pizza with the boys and late-night snacks.  I have even talked to my therapist about what I feel is a lack of willpower.
He told me that I do  have strong willpower.  When it comes to exercise.  To fighting and facing my fears and anxieties.  To working hard for what I want.  And, as it turns out, to saying no to drive-thru and gas station fare.  Driving home last night I realized that if I can just eek out a little bit more willpower I can stop defeating my fitness successes with sweet treats and carry-out.
I had planned to not have any refined sugar from last Monday through July 4.  Day one I had a cookie at E's baseball fundraiser.  Day 3 I had a milkshake after L got his 5 year shots.  I don't want to deprive myself of fun moments.  But I know I need to give up sugar for the most part.   Again, I need to squeeze out my last little bit of willpower in this sugary sweet area of my life.  On the other side of that, I don't drink...okay, one or two drinks in the entire month, maybe.  I don't smoke.  I drink black coffee. I gave up soda, again, one or two a month rather than every day.  I guess I feel like having a cookie or a  couple scoops of ice cream is like my evening cocktail.  And I am not sure if that is so horrible.  I think that is why it is hard for me to completely go sugarless.


What areas of your life do you have incredible willpower in?

What area(s) do you need to channel a little more in to?

Do you have an indulgence that you just don't want to give up?