Suddora Sweatbands

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by a representative from Suddora Sweatbands to try out their product and write a little something on it.  Well, I love headbands, so of course I wanted to try.

My favorite headbands are the Sweaty Bands (like the glittery blue one Angela and I each wore in the Chicago Marathon), but I have a ton of others too.  Anything that will hold my hair back works for me, but I've also found that some headbands are itchy or not tight enough.

When I looked at Suddora's website, I could tell that these are not the same kind of headbands I am used to.  Suddora Sweatbands are a type of headband/armband that I would only picture for boys, and mostly boys that play basketball.  Here's what I was picturing:

I requested a blue sweatband (I thought it would go nicely with my Dayton Flyers singlet that I will continue to wear in races) and have worn it to the gym a few times so far.

I really liked that the headband was very thick, so it held back all of my shorter bangs really nicely.  It also was not itchy and did not irritate my ears which is a huge plus in my book.  But of course, I think the most important aspect of any headband made for running or athletic activity is whether or not it slides off your head and this one did not!  (I guess that could also be dependent on the size/shape of your head...I don't know.)

As a special treat, here's a little segment written by another CSmith, my mom!  We'll call her CSmith Zumba.  She was with me when I was looking at the Suddora website for the first time and thought that a sweatband might help her during Zumba and when I asked the rep if I could have 2 for her to try too, he gladly agreed :)  So here's what CSmith Zumba has to say:

"I wore the headband to my Zumba class - in the past, I have not worn headbands, but once we get moving, I determined a headband would be a good thing to try. Love the colors available (I have purple) and it washed well, looks like new. If there was one thing I'd look for different in a sweatband, it would be a thinner size."

Well good news: Suddora contacted me again and told me about a new style of headband they have!  It is a felt headband, very similar to the Sweaty Bands headbands I have - but cheaper.

These headbands are available only on their Amazon store (link here) and you can use this discount code for 50% off: SUDDORA5  This promo goes through the end of February so make sure you order yours today!

What do you look for in a headband?

Have you ever tried a Sweatband?

ENERGYbits Review & Giveaway!!

I'm doing the Elf 4 Health Challenge (which I will detail in a post tomorrow) and today's challenge is "Pay It Forward."  So, what better way to pay it forward than hosting a giveaway!!

ENERGYbits sent me a sample of their very unique, new product to try.  They also sent me a TON of information on the product.  Here's some of the highlights I found interesting:

• no caffeine, chemicals, or sugar, or any artificial substances
• 1 calorie per tab
• ONE ingredient - organically grown spirulina algae
• 64% protein - they are a FOOD, not a supplement

Right when I read about ENERGYbits, I was super excited to try because of the no-calorie aspect.  I'm a girl, what do you expect?  There is nothing else that offers as much no nutrition and protein for so few calories.  If you've been reading my blog while I was training for the Chicago Marathon, you'll probably know that I really do love my chocolate-flavored GU Energy Gel because it's like having dessert while running and tastes delicious.  However, even though I've been fairly lucky with it, I am still nervous every time I take a GU gel while running because I never know what effect it will have on my stomach due to all the sugar.  ENERGYbits provide a constant steady stream of energy without stomach distress.

I was sent a sample of about 75 bits.  The instructions said to take a least 30 as one serving, which I did the first time, right before a normal 6 mile run.  With 45 left, I decided to spread the remaining bits across 2 runs - another normal run and the Schaumburg Half Marathon Turkey Trot.  In retrospect, I probably should've tried to use the 45 all right before one run to see a bigger effect.

One evening right after getting home from work, I pulled out all my ENERGYbits information, read it carefully, and took the bits as instructed - swallow a serving of 30 bits with water about 15-20 minutes before the workout, do not chew.  Actually, you can chew them but it's not advisable due to the taste.  After opening the can and getting a whiff of the bits, I made sure to swallow them as quickly as possible.  They smelled very strongly of seaweed/algae.

I chose this night to try the ENERGYbits because I was STARVING when I got home from work.  And as the information said, the bits are actually food and contain protein, which I figured should help with my hunger.  My stomach was still rumbling and grumbling for about the first mile of my run, but that soon subsided.  I think that is definitely attributable to the bits because normally when I get hungry during a run, there's no stopping my stomach until I get food in it!

The second time I tried ENERGYbits was a similar situation.  After work, I was going to meet a friend for dinner at 8pm.  I managed my snacking a little better throughout the day, so I wasn't STARVING by the time I finished work at 5pm, but I was still hungry and didn't want to eat a real meal because I needed to run and wanted to save my appetite for dinner anyways.  I really was not looking forward to this run because it was one of the first considerably colder days in Chicago and I was worn out - who isn't at 5pm after a workday?  But I took about 25 ENERGYbits and headed out in the cold for a 6 mile run.  I also hadn't ran in a few days, so I thought this run would be even more difficult.

But when I got out there on the lake path, I felt like a new person.  I was proud of myself for just getting out in the cold after work to get the run done.  I noticed I had a considerably higher level of energy than right when I had gotten home from work and even wanted to continue to run longer, but I couldn't cancel my dinner plans.

I saved about 20 bits for before the Schaumburg Half Marathon Turkey Trot last weekend.  This wasn't as much as the recommended amount to take, but I still think it helped.  I meant to also bring a GU Energy gel with me for during the race, but of course I forgot it at home.  I didn't end up taking any type of food or supplements during the race, so I am glad I had the ENERGYbits beforehand!  If I hadn't taken those and had no fuel along the race course, I really would've been in trouble.  I'm still not sure if I'll be able to swallow the bits WHILE running, but I suppose it's something I'll have to try in the future!

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If you'd like to buy your own ENERGYbits, you can use the code BLOG to receive 10% off!!  But you can also WIN a sample right now!!  Here's how to ENTER THE GIVEAWAY (each way will get you 1 entry, for up to 4 entries per person):

1 - Leave a comment below telling me what you use to fuel before or during your workouts.  If you aren't a runner/worker-outter, just tell me your favorite food :)

2 - Follow me on Twitter and/or like the CSmith Run Facebook page and specify that you did (or already do) in your comment.

3 - Tweet "I want to win a sample of @ENERGYbits from @CSmith_Run! #PoweredByBits"

*Entries must be submitted by 11:59PM Wednesday 12/11.  Winner will be chosen at random and announced Thursday 12/12.


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Every week ENERGYbits has a Twitter chat and you can join Tuesdays at 8pm EST.   See below for the info on tonight's chat and use the hashtag #PoweredByBits.

GOOD LUCK!!