I tried freezing myself to…burn calories? | Day 26 of 90
Yesterday was the day!
I went in to get my blood drawn for 4 different tests. I was so scared you guys. I started crying when the nurse put the needle in my arm. And the worst part – the needle wasn’t working so she had to do it TWICE!!!!
Because I was getting 4 tests done, they needed to draw a lot of blood. And I mean, A LOT.
OMG that picture makes me queasy. But it’s ok, cuz it’s for science! Once again, this 90 day journey is about me doing things that SCARE ME, so mission def accomplished with this appointment! 😉
I had been doing a lot of research about what tests I needed to get done in order to better understand my body. I used to think weight loss was all about creating a calorie deficit but what I am learning now is that a calorie is not a calorie is not a calorie. And that the way calories work in people’s bodies is totally different based on who you are and your genetic makeup. So, these are the tests I ended up getting:
#1. Baseline Test
This test is my basic blood test which will give me info on complete blood count, testosterone levels, lipid panel, metabolic panel etc. The last time I did this was several years ago, so I am curious how my health will compare.
#2. Food Sensitivity Test
I want to know once and for all what my undetected food sensitivities are. There could be foods that I am eating that are not optimal for my digestive system, my mood, and my overall body composition. For example, I’m curious if I should be consuming gluten or not. I know that when I eat it, I bloat and my belly feels super tense and uncomfortable. So I’d love to officially confirm if I should be gluten free, with medical reasoning and scientific backing.
#3. Micronutrient Test
Currently, the only supplement I am taking is collagen for my hair, skin, and nails. Once in a while, I’ll take protein powder. But I don’t take supplements at all because I think I’m getting everything I need from my food. But I do wonder…is there something I could be taking make my body run more efficiently and effortlessly? Am I deficient in a certain vitamin or mineral?
#4. Genetic Fit Test
Every body is different. That is why what works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. I want to know how my body uniquely metabolizes fat, sugars, nutrients, and vitamins. I’m supposed to learn what workouts are best for my body type.
I hope all of these tests are reliable and that they will give me solid data on the current state of my health. I bought a pretty expensive package (kind of embarrassed to say!!!) from Next | Health in West Hollywood, and I am praying that the tests come back telling me something I DON’T know. I will be sad if I paid a ton of money to learn what I already knew about my body.
Oh well, I guess you don’t know until you try! And honestly, I would much rather spend my money on things like this over buying designer handbags and shoes. It just doesn’t excite me as much as this kinda stuff. I just hope I didn’t completely waste my money. There’s a skeptical part of me that thinks I’m gonna get a report back that is kinda detailed but not really detailed, kinda like an aura reading or zodiac horoscope.
Anyway, after the blood draw, the staff offered me a free cryotherapy session and I was like sure WHY NOT.
According to the Next | Health site, cryo “involves exposing your body to an extreme cold environment of less than -150°F. This intense cooling induces a number of incredible physiological changes in the body. Initially, as the blood vessels constrict, blood moves away from the limbs and toward the vital organs. This is a protective and natural measure the body takes in response to the extreme cold. During this process, several systems within the body are triggered and the benefits begin. The immune system powerfully increases white blood cell count, the circulatory system reacts to increase its productivity, and inflammation is significantly reduced. In addition, the endocrine system jumps into action to release endorphin and norepinephrine that inflate “feel good” hormones in the blood stream. Blood sample studies have shown a reduction in cortisol and an increase in testosterone and DHEA.”
On Forbes, a consumer tech reporter explained that “When one is exposed to extreme cold, it is activated and helps to burn regular white fat cells on your hips, stomach, legs, and so on, in order to generate heat. Consistent exposure to cold increases the amount of brown fat an individual has.”
So, do we want brown fat? Apparently yes according to The Journal of Clinical Investigation. “Researchers say that mildly cold indoor air appears to activate the body’s stores of brown fat, which, unlike most fat, burns lots of calories.”
I stripped down to my undies and put on socks, mittens, a face mask, slippers, and a towel wrap and stepped into a super cold freezer for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. They asked if I wanted to do 2:30 since it was my first time but I was like NAH – LET’S GO ALL IN.
As soon as my skin felt air inside the freezer, I yelled “OMG IT’S SO COLD!!!!!” Then they closed the door. I had headphones on and asked to listed to T-Swift for my time inside. You guys. I was so cold my skin started hurting! I didn’t know how to pass the time so I started stretching and breathing slowly. I kept thinking about how if I ever put George in here it would definitely qualify as animal abuse. LOL.
When I got to 2:30 I was like okay, only 1 more minute. You can do anything for 1 minute!!!
I stretched my hamstrings, closed, my eyes, breathed deeply, and before I knew it – the attendants opened the door for me and I stepped outside dramatically exclaiming how cold I was. Hahahaha. They must be used to this.
Anyway, after I finished that sesh, I paid, and met Sam and George outside! They had been waiting for me the whole time so they could drive me to the office. Sam was afraid the blood draw might make me weak but I was ok!
As soon as I got in the car, I ate some chili roasted pistachios. No, not the whole bag guys. This bag is supposed to last me a week or so at the office for snack time!
Oh and I don’t think the cryo really did anything for me. I just felt better once I melted back to normal temperatures.
For lunch, I made zoodles for both me and Sam! Here we’ve got zoodles with paleo sausage, cherry tomatoes, and alfredo sauce. I put all the ingredients in the tupperware the night before, 100% raw and uncooked. Then when I got it out for lunch, I just microwaved it for a few minutes and everything tasted GREAT! I wasn’t sure about microwaving zoodles and tomatoes, but it worked out beautifully!
As an afternoon snack, I tried this “Cocoyo” kombucha yogurt that I bought from Whole Foods for…$5.99. I know, I know. SO EXPENSIVE! But cute glass jar packaging got me and so did the nutrition label on the back!
Only 4g net carbs and the only ingredients are basically coconut and raspberry! So…how did it taste???
At first the taste was a bit confusing. It really did taste like kombucha yogurt. So like, kinda fermented and kinda sweet and kinda creamy? A few minutes in, I started enjoying it and digging the unique flavor. Now it’s def not like real yogurt level but it’s still pretty good and makes for a lovely afternoon snack!
Yesterday we also had a POPFLEX fitting! This is me trying on the small and Misty trying on the 1X! She is our plus size fit model and has been with us for years now! Can’t wait for you to see what we have in store for you guys!
For dinner, I made these super cute hors d’oeuvres! It’s a cucumber with cream cheese and lox on top! They were absolutely DIVINE!!!
After dinner, I mixed some collagen matcha in with my almond milk. Sorry for the weird green everywhere. I should have mixed the collagen in BEFORE I added all the ice. Either way, it was delish and I kinda enjoy the matcha chunks.
Here is my Fit Journal entry. Feeling good. Weight, body fat, and muscle mass are looking good and trending in the right direction.
There you have it! My test results come back in about a month so I will have an update for you then! I have a 2 hour appointment to sit down with the doctor to go over every single specific detail of my health. I’m really curious to see what the results will be.
34 thoughts on “I tried freezing myself to…burn calories? | Day 26 of 90”
There are 34 comments posted by our users.
Ouch! Poor Cassey. Your blood tests are a good thing to do. I probably should do ones. Hell, I’ve been considering doing ones for about 2 years now – I know I have a lack of vitamins.
It was interesting to know about the whole cryo’ process. The more you know! Wasn’t the difference of temperature too harsh when you got outside? Even though you didn’t stay too long
After reading all the comments I noticed everyone is shocked at you eating so little…I look at the food and say: OMG that is a lot of food!
Anyway! In response to this: ” I am praying that the tests come back telling me something I DON’T know. I will be sad if I paid a ton of money to learn what I already knew about my body.”
Of course learning new things is always great and that’s why you did it. But if the results come back and you already know everything, go you! It means you know your body so well that you figured out on your own what many people need to get the tests done to figure out. Talk about self-validation!!!! Expensive self-validation but hey!
I’m absolutely loving your journal. I love all people and get along with most , but I struggle with fake people. C’mon, we all know. But you’re real and I love that. Last year I was on cloud nine. I have had five kids and I finally got really close to where I want to be in shape and weight. I could have been better but oh well. Now, I’m up almost 10 lbs. We have moved out of the country and I think I let the stress, travel and new food opportunities get to me. Now, everytime I try to really get serious I GAIN! I’m going crazy. When I struggle with my weight I go into anxiety attacks and depression. Not cool. But I’m encouraged and inspired by your journey. I’m so sorry about the haters. People have too much time on their hands, not enough thought in their heads and too little love in their hearts. Keep it up!
Have you ever read much into the blood type diets? They seem true to me but maybe it’s coincidental.
I need to find the chili pistachios! YUM!! I love all things spicy and salty.
Casse y! Would you film and record what the results are and what the doctors say? Also, id love if you one day got a hormone test and shared that with us. I think they play a key role in FEELING good!
Cryotherapy is something I can’t wait to try.
I don’t want to sound like a naysayer, but I looked into a lot of that testing myself, and found through PubMed clinical studies that a lot of those tests are not very accurate. Which is why most conventional doctors do not do them. Same with other treatments that they offer – like IV therapy. I’d hate to see them tell you have food sensitivities to foods you like, and not feel you can eat them. Unless they are causing you serious issues (bloating, pain, gas, etc. ) it’s probably NOT a food sensitivity.
Don’t feel bad about crying – my sister does that too.
So refreshing to read it’s not all about calorie deficit. This idea is soooo outdated. Can’t wait to see your blood tests results and what your game plan is going to be for the rest of this journey.
Nope! It’s totally not.
I wonder if there’s a blood test of some minor resemblance that my insurance covers. I should just got get a physical in general. I also have that ancestry kit that does genetic testing should utilize that.
I’ll be honest, I might have laughed alittle when you VOLUNTARILY exposed yourself to cold 🙂 I’m Canadian and you might have heard that it can get a little cold here for about 6 months… I can honestly say that exposing myself to cold temps for the past 40+ years has not helped with weightloss at all LOL! That being said, I usually try to bundle up when I go outside when everything’s frozen.
Good for you for trying new things and thank you for being so open and honest. It is so very refreshing!
Hahahaha – I don’t think I’ll do it again. But who knows.
Cassey please consider going to an actual doctor to get the bloodwork done. If you’re really worried that you have gluten sensitivity (I’m assuming non-celiac one) there’s no test to check for that. It’s diagnosed based on symptoms and ruling out celiac disease and wheat allergy. The website seems to promise all kinds of things like the test for ”leaky gut” and I’m guessing it’s not the intestinal permeability but the new health fad. So I wouldn’t blindly trust the results you’re getting and changing your diet without getting actual medical advice 🙂
Also to clarify not hating on getting your bloodwork done and finding out if you have medical conditions or allergies.
I hate getting blood drawn, too. I have to get the head phlebotomist from the hospital to do it whenever I need a test because my veins are small, and I pass out if they take too long! I found making sure I’m really hydrated and I have eaten something before I go for the appointment helps 🙂
Also, I’m sorry to say that the type of food sensitivity test offered at that clinic is not reliable. IgG testing has NO evidence to support it’s reliability, and lots of people who take this type of test end up unnecessarily cutting food from their diets. IgG is present in everyone, and is part of the immune response to infection – it bears very little impact on food sensitivity, apart from a correlation of *low* IgG levels in children with food allergies. IgA tests are used to diagnose celiac disease (so possibly useful for your suspicion about gluten), but you have to have been eating gluten-containing foods for 6-8 weeks prior to the test. IgE (I don’t know if you added this to your test) is the only blood test reliably used in the diagnosis of severe food allergies, and even then it does not always give accurate results so is best used in combination with reaction history and skin prick testing. Again, the only way to get realistic advice about food intolerances is to keep a diary of symptoms and discuss it with a registered dietician or allergist.
Sorry, that was a long post, but I think it’s important that people are aware as it’s a big money-making business!
Yesterday I did some last medical test to close a chapter of 2 months about my colon. I am so proud that I was brave because it was very painfull. 😌 So I said: you deserve a treat girl, you did good!
I bought: A meal with carbonara pasta( I couldn’t eat all), some bath bombs and shower gel and a yellow t-shirt that said: I’m pretty cool ( but I cry alot) . 😂 My day was complete. Yes I cried so much, but I was strong!
Hi Cassey, are you honestly not hungry based on how little you are eating? It seems like your intake is less than 1500 calories a day, which is extremely low (especially considering how much you are working out). As someone with a very public platform, you should really make sure that you are sending the right message to your followers. Starving yourself for the sake of losing weight is neither healthy nor sustainable, and I sincerely hope that that’s not what you are doing.
She seems pretty genuine and she’s not following a calorie counting diet nor when she feels hungry is she restricting herself. She eats when she’s hungry, some people are prone not to eating heavily, or needing to eat more. We’ve seen Cassey in stages of starving herself, when she was training for the competition a while back and this is hardly the same. It looks like she’s living her best life or trying to experiment with it, and is sharing it on her platform. She’s not responsible for others, she can offer advice and share what she does, but its on others if they see it so negatively. Like she keeps saying: this is for her not for others.
Def not restricting myself to the point of cravings and hunger!
Hey there! If you’re looking at just the photos, it’s not everything I’m eating. You should look at my Fit Journal entry. Also, I can assure you that I am not starving myself, as I am full every single day. Also, I’m curious how you calculated <1500 cals if there are no quantities of servings I'm recording in my Fit Journal?
I’ve thought about getting a food allergy test done! I hope the test gives you everything you need to know!
Although you’re grown, you’re still human. We all have our triggers and fears. Being afraid of a needle doesn’t make you a baby. And you made the appointment AND showed up, so that makes you a bada** actually! <3
hehe thanks!!
I love knowing little ins and outs of my body like this. I had a bunch of blood tests a couple months ago looking for autoimmune issues and even if the reason I got them wasn’t fun, I loved seeing all the various info dumps and levels. I’d love to get a full fitness/wellness panel like you describe someday! So that said please make a super in depth video about the results so I can nerd out with you lol :3
I think I will!
Cassey, matne someone has already asked this, but are you feeling pretty satisfied with the amount you are eating, or are you feeling hungry? I weigh about what you did when you started (and still do, lol). I think I eat like twice as much, and not as healthy! I look at how much you are eating and worry I’d starve to death! Mayne I should replicate your diet for a day. 🙂 Also, I wanted to commend you on eating so clean and not having a bunch of “fat bombs” and things. I tried keto and really didn’t eat well.
I’m also curolious if you are working at upping fats or just not worrying too much about it?
Haha, I was writing this on my phone. I know it’s kind of off topic talking about your food, but I also wanted to say I admire that you don’t waste your food. You buy it and you use it until it’s gone!
That’s the only way!!
Thanks for your concern! Don’t just look at my photos. Look at my Fit journal entries. I snack on the pistachios throughout the day and also, sometimes I have 2 plates of what you see 1 photo of.
Lol, that seems more about right! It looks like good food!
I don’t mind needles, really. So if I wanted to get all those tests one day like you I’d ace it. But my veins are also very easy for the docs, they always comment on that! I wouldn’t mind knowing any additional data that could tell me more about me that I don’t already know. And I would love to try the cryo just to see how I’d fare. Even if it doesn’t really do anything. I did always love to blast the AC in my room as a kid and get cold only to snuggle under the blankets? I think I just like to get under blankets and feel the weight of them, so come winter I might have 4 on my bed and it is the ultimate cozy feeling.
I love having a cold room so I can snuggle under a ton of blankets too!
Those tests sound really interesting. I’m curious to know the results as well. I’ve been considering getting some blood work done as well, though not like that. I just want to know if my vitamins/minerals/etc are at good levels or if I need to focus on adding in or taking anything out. My hair falls out so much! My mom suggested it was a protein deficiency, and I know I’m not getting nearly enough protein, so I wanted to check it out. Life is busy though, so it’ll take a while before I get around to going to the dr about it.
Maybe you’re stressed? Also, try collagen for hair growth!
Casey, are you currently eating gluten? Because in order for the blood tests to be accurate you need to be eating gluten at the time you are tested. Just a thought! Fingers crossed you get some answers.
Cassey* sorry, autocorrect!