After 10 consecutive days of Whole Body Cryotherapy, KIRSTY HUTTON opens up her Cryo Journal. She shares why she loves to Cryo, her Pro ‘Cryo’ Tip, her first Alchemy Cryo memory and more.

1. I discovered Alchemy Cryo when…

I live nearby so kept an eye on progress as Alchemy Cryo was built. I was so excited because I’d been reading about the benefits of cryotherapy and was keen to try it, but I was also terrified. It took me a few months after they opened to build up the courage to do my first session, from then I’ve never looked back.

2. My first Alchemy Cryo memory…

Being really nervous! I think I asked a million questions about everything and I remember how nice the staff were. They were happy to answer everything, were really knowledgeable about the process and were really friendly. It made a big difference to calm me down.

3. Why I love to Cryo…

I’m generally a very stressed person and I find three minutes of Cryo forces me to focus internally and shut out the noise of the world. Plus the endorphin rush when you warm up again is awesome.

4. Why I decided to do 10 consecutive days of Whole Body Cryo…

By that stage I loved Cryo. I knew how good a couple of sessions a week made me feel so I thought I’d try a consecutive block. I had a lot going on in life so it was a good chance to also force calm back into my mind.

5. On Day 1, I felt…

Excited. I was looking forward to daily Cryo sessions.

6. After 1 week, I felt…

Really good. I looked forward to each session and was keen to keep going.

7. On Day 10, I felt…

Like I could easily do another ten days without a break! My energy levels were good and my mind was clear.

8. Before I entered the Cryo Chamber, I typically felt…

I began to relax just before I entered the chamber because my body and mind started to learn what was coming. I really looked forward to my sessions – just knowing I was going to do a session made me feel calm.

9. After I exited the Cryo Chamber, I typically felt…

Amazing! The combination of calm and fresh energy is hard to describe.

10. My favourite benefits of completing 14 consecutive days of Whole Body Cryo...

Multiplying the standard benefits of Cryo and knowing I would get a little top up every day. For me, it’s the forced relaxation and endorphin rush that follows that I love most.

11. My favourite Cryo Song(s) during the 10 Days…

Alicia Keys, Empire State of Mind (Pt. II)

12. My Pro Cryo Tip…

Put some thought into what song you want to listen to and how you want to feel. On days I want to leave the chamber and power through a heap of work, I pick songs that will motivate me like Billionaire from Travie McCoy. On days I just want to have some fun I’ll go for something more poppy like Cherish from Madonna. Don McLean’s American Pie is also a favourite of mine because of the change in tempo throughout the session. I love how it carries me into a state of happiness as the tempo increases.

13. My go-to post-Cryo snack or meal…

Probably Bulletproof Coffee or dark chocolate.

14. The Alchemy mantra that inspires me...

a) Transform Your Physiology, b) Maximise Your Time, or c) Optimise Your Life

c) Optimise Your Life... It covers everything!

15. My nutrition regime during the 10 Days…

I tweak my nutrition quite a bit. My philosophy is Find what works for you and do that, so I’m constantly learning new theories and trying them on myself. I generally feel better on a lower carb (borderline ketosis) diet. At the moment, my general goal for six days a week is to have lemon water with apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper first thing in the morning, then a Bulletproof Coffee for breakfast, protein and vegetables for lunch and dinner. I often have a small glass of red wine at the end of the day too. Saturdays I eat whatever I feel like. I also take a fair few supplements: DLPA, alpha liopic acid, potassium, garlic extract, green tea extract, policosanol and GABA. I change my diet depending on how I’m feeling, but at the moment that’s what is working for me.

16. My training regime during the 10 Days…

I didn’t need to change my training during my Cryo block. I had heaps of energy and was keen to keep training. Like my diet, I tweak my training a lot and experiment with different things depending on my current goal. I’ve realised how you feel is far more important than how you look, so I focus on being strong and having energy rather than training for a certain look (which as a former figure competitor is quite a shift in thinking). I walk as much as I can in general life (driving in Melbourne is so frustrating anyway). Each week I throw in a couple of strength sessions and a couple of HIIT workouts too. I love doing a heavy weight session after Cryo on Satudays because I’ve realised that I’m most likely to hit a PB with my post-Cryo energy spike.

17. When I’m not at Alchemy Cryo, you can find me…

Drinking coffee and working on my websites or writing projects at Moose most mornings! They put Bulletproof Coffee on the menu, which makes me very happy. If I’m not there I’ll be training my PT clients up at SYSSM, or working at one of my other jobs (journalist and systems manager).

Catch KIRSTY HUTTON via Instagram, Facebook or her blog.

Ready to Cryo? Grab a pass HERE. Questions or comments? Email: southyarra@alchemycryo.com.au

‘It’s the forced relaxation and endorphin rush that follows that I love most.’