Last week marked the end of a 12-week physical conditioning program I had been experimenting with. To celebrate, there were no pies, cakes, or pizza fueled feeding frenzies; nope, instead, I opted to check out something known as contrast therapy. That is a rather science-sounding name for getting very hot then very cold, something the Nordics have been doing for millennia. The routine is to sit in a 190-degree sauna for 10-15 minutes, then rinse off in a warm bucket shower, then slide into a tub of cold circulating water of your choice; either 40 or a less biting 50 degrees. The entire experience was unexpectedly social. Who knew this is where one meets the hip crowd of Utah? As far as the bodily effect, circulating cold water is intense, a whole level up of sensation from still water or even from a minus 220 cryotherapy tank. The 40-degree version after a couple of minutes starts to really sting the extremities. But all in all, it was enjoyable, and I would certainly do it again, as the after effect on the joints, muscles and of course, the awesome shock hormone infusion was worth it
In other personal news, today was my once every ten years colonoscopy day. Party time! The most unpleasant part of the experience was the prep, which at its most basic involves starvation in combination with massive, truly massive, quantities of laxatives. There is some negotiation possible in the diet part of the ordeal. For reasons I fail to comprehend, the preferred top-of-mind food they all recommend is popsicles. WTF? Starve someone and then give them a frozen sugar bar and expect a good outcome? Hello glucose spikes, blood sugar crash, and personal misery. Once I raised a proper fit, it turns out I could eat plain yogurt, bone broth, and even scrambled eggs the morning of the day before. Still, coming from around 2700 calorie/day to maybe a 700 calorie day when combined with giant doses of laxatives was gross but at least temporary. Always good to ask; things are often much less dogmatic than they may seem. Outcome: my colon is wonderfully healthy. Phew.
Only one more week until vacation time. Getting properly hyped to visit a new place with some zero productivity time.
Onward and upward,
David
