Posted by Andy Petranek : Monday, Oct 01, 2012

Tweet

Ever since my first bout of hemorrhoids about 6 years ago, I've been slowly learning more and more about the modern-day conveniences (like the toilet) that make all of us more susceptible (read THIS recent article from NPR). Last summer I had a particularly traumatic experience with a "grade 4 thrombosed hemorrhoid", for which I had to have surgery. The pain was off the charts... and it literally took me out of life for about 5 weeks. Since then I've changed many of the things that I did in the past that contributed (I think) to this horribly painful "injury". For instance, I limit my time sitting on the toilet (no more long reading sessions); and I don't strain to get the poop out, hence the importance of squatting.

Just the other day, a friend of mine (thanks, Mike) sent me a link to this site - www.squattypotty.com. In the very simple, 4-minute video, I learned stuff about human anatomy and physiology in and around going poop that I new nothing about. For example, have you ever heard of the puborectalis muscle? No? Neither had I, until I watched the following video explaining it with perfect clarity. It's the muscle that when flexed, keeps you from, ahem, pooping in your pants. It's also the muscle that when flexed and sitting on the pottie, requires you to strain to eliminate. You'll learn more about it when you watch the video.

Go ahead, check it out... don't be embarrassed. Pooping is something we ALL do. And hemorrhoids is a condition over 50% of us have (bet you didn't know that either). I've got my Squatty Potty at home... and am getting a couple for the gym. I recommend each of you do the same, to avoid the pain and suffering that I had to go through last summer to learn the lesson. (consider this a PSA!)

---

Monday's Workout (NO CAP)
"Helen"
3 Rounds for time of:
400m run
21 Kettlebell Swings (24/16)
12 Pull-ups
- Rx+ option - "Big, Fat Helen" - same workout, 5 rounds

... and coming Tuesday
Choose your PR (2 or 3)
Suggestions (but it could be anything):
- 1RM Turkish Get-up
- Max Reps Double Unders
- Kipping Pull-ups
- Max Reps in 2 min Burpees
- Max Reps in 2 min Sit-up