How do you exercise despite pain?

AmethystValentina

Hello everyone, I'm pretty new with exercise... I have exercised before, and every time I stopped, one of the reasons was because of the post cramps that last for days on end. I would find it uncomfortable to continue and make exercise a regular habit because these pains.

Any tips? Should I just power through until my body gets used to it?

angej2

Cramps or aching muscles? If it's aching muscles just go easier, start with easier exercises and don't spend as long doing them. You will be able to build up gradually. If it's cramps see your GP, you may have an electrolyte imbalance.

spiriteagle99

A lot of us tend to go overboard when starting a new exercise program, and blow ourselves out. Start much more slowly. Don't exercise every day. Don't push yourself too hard. Ease into the activity. If you can't do everything you intend, don't worry, you'll get better. Consistency is the key, and that will only happen if you take it easy and build strength gradually.

If you are in pain, you shouldn't exercise as you could make an injury much worse. But ideally you shouldn't be in pain at all. A little stiff and sore, okay, but pain is your body telling you to back off or else.

Sweet_Intensity

Hi Amethyst...

I am no expert but it struck me as unusual that you would have cramps that last for days after exercising. Cramps usually last for a few minutes at most, in my experience. Have you discussed these cramps with a medical professional? I think it is common to feel some general muscle soreness after working out, particularly after an absence of exercise. When I get too sore, it is usually because I've overdone a workout so I ratchet back the intensity and include lots of stretching the next day.

AmethystValentina

Aching muscles, yes. Whatever muscles I worked on with exercise the day before(squats, lunges, situps,etc) would be the muscles that would ache afterwards. Do you think I should stick with straight cardio for now?

cwolfman13

Don't go overboard...start easy and work into things. Going from nothing to all kinds of exercise isn't a very good idea. Personally, I started out just walking every day...worked my way up to a C25K program...adding some weight lifting a few month later. Now I primarily lift and I cycle...but I didn't come out of the gate riding 60-80 miles per week...I worked my way up. Fitness is something that is built over time.

Also, there is a difference between soreness and pain...if you work out regularly, it's likely that you will always have some soreness, though it is much diminished from when you first start...actual pain means something is wrong.

Iwannabfit76

I agree with the above posters and make sure you don’t stop the next day or thereafter. Work the soreness out. It takes a few days but starting and stopping and not going back for awhile makes you have that lactic acid pain.

Cherimoose

You probably do too much too soon. Try doing only 1 set per muscle group the first workout, 2 sets the next, etc.

Machka9

AmethystValentina wrote: »

Aching muscles, yes. Whatever muscles I worked on with exercise the day before(squats, lunges, situps,etc) would be the muscles that would ache afterwards. Do you think I should stick with straight cardio for now?

DOMS.

Not cramps.

Ease off the day you're experiencing DOMS and then resume the next day.

jgnatca

Cut your effort to about half.
Do a full set of stretches after your exercise.
Work out every other day taking a full rest day in between.
Stay well hydrated before during and after.
Ice afterwards then alternate ice and heat the next day.

Take care of your body and it will reward you with increased strength with no pain.

AmethystValentina

Thank you everyone for the advice! I was definitely doing too much, too soon, and I'll ease up and pace myself better.