My legs feel like jello!

JakyiaMillner

I just did my first day back in the gym in a loooonngg time and I decided to do leg and booty day. My legs are JELLO! Is this good or did I over work myself???

lorrpb

Likely that you overdid it!

slimdownt

essihelk

probably overdid it! but try stretching after your workouts and eating a banana! helps with the soreness. great that you took that first step!

cwolfman13

DOMs is pretty normal, but you likely also overdid things. I've been out of the gym all summer because I've been spending a lot more time cycling and swimming...I'll be going back in September and as usual I will ease in. Fitness is something that is built...you can't just go from 0-100.

JakyiaMillner

It’s weird though cause I only did 3 sets of 10 (squats, lunges, step ups , and calf raises) 😭😭😭

cwolfman13

JakyiaMillner wrote: »

It’s weird though cause I only did 3 sets of 10 (squats, lunges, step ups , and calf raises) 😭😭😭

Are you running an actual program catered towards a beginner?

It doesn't seem like a lot, but that's a good deal of leg volume just starting out. Most beginner programs are full body 3x per week and would only have you doing one leg exercise on a given training day.

ExistingFish

I just did my first leg day on a new program, I've got DOMS too. I took a little too long of a break (2 weeks) and I regret it.

Mine are more stiff than jello, but I'm feeling you.

Hannahwalksfar

Probably overdid it. It’s pretty common for newbies or people who have been away for a long time to go too hard at first. The good news is it will go away in time. Make sure you take a break if you feel like you need one (no shame in that), warm up pre workout, stretch and cool off after your workout.

JakyiaMillner

Okay thank you! And no I am not a runner I did walk to track twice before working out but that was it.

oceangirl99

I'm NO expert! but if they feel like Jello immediately after working out, I don't think it is DOMS (Delayed onset of muscle soreness - I think from lactic acid/muscle tearing) - although that will likely come! Your muscles are more likely tired. My muscles almost always feel at least a bit like Jello after working out but I don't really get sore anymore. BTW I like the Jello feeling...... reminds me of my workout for a bit!

Rawrmachin3

Doubt you overdid it. It’s just because your body is no longer adjusted to the movements and stress since you said it’s been a while.

I always have to hold onto the rails going down the steps at my gym when I leave from doing legs. Happens every week as I push myself but I’m a power lifter so it’s a bit different.

The only time you’re going to find you’re overtraining is when you’re not able to recover within about a weeks time. Being sore a day or even 3 after a workout isn’t a bad sign. You’re playing stress on the body which is what helps it grow.

ritzvin

JakyiaMillner wrote: »

I just did my first day back in the gym in a loooonngg time and I decided to do leg and booty day. My legs are JELLO! Is this good or did I over work myself???

Fairly normal when you haven't worked a muscle in a long time.

cwolfman13 wrote: »

DOMs is pretty normal, but you likely also overdid things. I've been out of the gym all summer because I've been spending a lot more time cycling and swimming...I'll be going back in September and as usual I will ease in. Fitness is something that is built...you can't just go from 0-100.

All of this.

Cyclist here too... dropped down to twice/week in the gym and greatly deloaded squats and deadlifts to prevent fatigue from impacting my cycling.

vollkornbloedchen

ExistingFish

FYI, I did leg day last Wednesday. It took me until Monday of this week for 100% of the DOMS to be gone. I mean it was down to tenderness in the hamstrings by Sunday.

I also didn't drop the water weight until Monday. I dropped 1.9lbs from Sunday to Monday.

Today is leg day

tlpina82

JakyiaMillner wrote: »

I just did my first day back in the gym in a loooonngg time and I decided to do leg and booty day. My legs are JELLO! Is this good or did I over work myself???

It's good. Any let workout when you go back to the gym will leave your legs feeling like that plus, you will walk a little like a Duck. Slapping your feet on the floor for about an hour.

Stretch a little (Not too much as the inflammation might cause a tear), drink a lot of water, eat well and give it a couple of days for the soreness to go away. (Usually, by day 3 or 4 it should be fine)

The second time won't be as hard and by the 5th workout, you should have a nice pump going on.

MelanieCN77

I had a dip in leg workouts June/July and when I was ready to get back to it, I did what I considered a smallish workout with 3-4 kinds of squats, a few sets each, 10 or so squat jumps and same burpees. I was sore for DAYS AND DAYS, the can't sit down onto a chair without laughing about it kind of sore. I had been running couple times a week and doing elliptical and stairs cardio, skate a couple hours a week, just nothing really "resistance" like. You're gonna feel like a noodle for a while but scale back maybe and keep at it! It passes, and you won't die

scrook30

I'm so glad to hear this. I did a boot camp on Monday and it's Wednesday and I'm still holding the railing going down the stairs. It is getting better!