I found a 75 gallon trough at the feed store and got it. Not as big as I expected it to be and eventually need to move up one more size but for a person in the 180 – 200lb range it’s probably just right.

Instead of going hard, I’ve been taking the ice bath thing very chill. Ha! Pun intended.

I’ve done a few cold water baths, hung out in lake Natoma during paddle boarding, which is quite cold since it comes from the bottom of lake Folsom. I’ve done a couple 40lb ice baths too. Instead of going all in and doing 100-150lb of ice, I’ve taken it easy to try and enjoy the practice.

Taking it easy has actually helped me feel and process what is going on better. When it’s super cold, it’s super intense and things happen quite fast and quite hard. Not going that hard has actually helped me relax. (That’s something I remember Wim Hof talking about at his seminar I attended a few years back). I still get the burning, numbing sensation in my extremities, I still get the cold “high,” and I’ve even experienced a “drop,” where people say the warm and cold blood mix together.

My plan is to up the intensity as I get more used to the practice, but as I write this I’m thinking maybe I won’t. I kinda like chilling and taking things easy, relaxing, and even getting my 5 and 7 year olds to jump in.