I did it!

Today is Day 46 of my cold plunge challenge. My sister and I plunged for 30 days and decided to continue until the end of the year. I am impressed with myself. I can usually rationalize my way out of things. This challenge has been hard. There are many days when I really don’t want to get into the cold water. The tap water is now 50 degrees. I do it anyway, and I always feel better. It is a instant mood changer.

I have created a spa like ritual around plunging. I workout first, because that is what I do. I come home and turn on the kettle for my collagen protein coffee, start the water in the bath tub, and light my “ocean air” candle that my niece bought for me. When the tub is filled, I take a few deep breaths and grab my hot cup of coffee as I get into the tub. I have a few sips of coffee and then I submerge myself in the tub. I breathe my way through it. In the past, I would try my best to distract myself. Now, I sit there and breathe. I feel like I can cross meditation off my to do list. I stay in for three to four minutes. In the past, I would stay in for at least 5. I have found I am cold enough with three to four minutes. I get out, towel off and moisturize myself with coconut oil. I then use a gua sha tool on my face and neck. All of this is done in 15 minutes or so. I feel so much better!

I am so grateful for the cold tap water. I am also meeting with the plungettes for a cold plunge in the ocean once or twice a week. It is always more fun with friends. Click here to read 6 benefits to cold water plunging.

Love,

Mary

This is all so much fun!

I love being a 68 year old plungette! My friend Andrea took a photo of me in my bathing suit, so I could post about it. 50 years ago, I never would have had the confidence to have my photo taken in my suit, let alone post it. Of course, there was no posting back then.

Today was another great plunge. It was 65 degrees and partly cloudy in February. I picked up Andrea and headed to the beach to meet Lauren and Elena. I have the beach car. I don’t care if my car gets full of sand because I belong to the car wash club at the Shrewsbury car wash. As we drive over the Sea Bright bridge we can see the water. I check for white caps, hoping that it will be calm. It always feels surreal to me and is unbelievable that we are about to get into 40 degree water. We do it. We stay in for 5 minutes and 30 seconds. We talk, laugh and sometimes have waves crashing over our heads just to add to the excitement. Being in the water is not the difficult part. The hard part is getting our wet bathing suits off, and dressed as quickly as possible. Your hands stop working well because they are so cold. We all have big coats, so we can get changed under them right on the beach.

My brother Paul gave me snack packs of seaweed. He couldn’t believe that anyone would enjoy eating seaweed. I brought them to the beach to share with my fellow plungettes. Can you think of a more appropriate snack? Everyone loved them.

This is all so much fun! What are you doing for fun this winter?

Love,

Mary