How do you know you're doing it right?

Kasey42588

As some of you already know, I started MFP again a few days ago. I'm doing great with keeping within my calories, although I haven't been seriously keeping track of them.. but I know I'm not going over because I look at labels of everything I eat. Anyway, I started going to the gym when I started this again (finally putting that membership to good use) and I targeted my legs and stomach to work on the hardest through lots of cardio, leg weights, and abdominal crunches with a medicine ball. I CAN BARELY MOVE MY LEGS TODAY! I don't know what the machine is called when you spread your legs, and it works your butt and outer thighs, and the other one works your inner thighs. But my inner thighs are SO sore today I can barely move them.. and I only had he weight on 30-35. Is it supposed to hurt like this? I stretched as well. I think it's just because I haven't been in so long. I tried to lower the weigh as well, but it was too easy for me. Is this how you know you're doing it right, when it hurts the next day?

Thanks

Kasey42588

As some of you already know, I started MFP again a few days ago. I'm doing great with keeping within my calories, although I haven't been seriously keeping track of them.. but I know I'm not going over because I look at labels of everything I eat. Anyway, I started going to the gym when I started this again (finally putting that membership to good use) and I targeted my legs and stomach to work on the hardest through lots of cardio, leg weights, and abdominal crunches with a medicine ball. I CAN BARELY MOVE MY LEGS TODAY! I don't know what the machine is called when you spread your legs, and it works your butt and outer thighs, and the other one works your inner thighs. But my inner thighs are SO sore today I can barely move them.. and I only had he weight on 30-35. Is it supposed to hurt like this? I stretched as well. I think it's just because I haven't been in so long. I tried to lower the weigh as well, but it was too easy for me. Is this how you know you're doing it right, when it hurts the next day?

Thanks

amymeenieminymo

I believe that's the abductor/aductor(sp?).......if you haven't done it in a while, then yes I think it is normal for your legs to hurt. Those machines work muscles that you almost rarely work that hard on a normal day to day basis, so you're going to be sore when those muscles finally get some work.

But there is a fine line between sore muscles, and actual pain. You can be very very sore, but only you can know the difference. I would say if it doesn't get any better in the next 2-3 days you should see a doctor in case you pulled something.

Dave198lbs

there is good pain and bad pain....

I love good pain which is the heightened awareness of the muscles I worked,,,,,if you are just "sore" after starting a new exercise for a certain set of muscles that is normal.....

if it hurts sharply...then you may have overdone it,,,,and need to rest that area or even have it checked,,,,,when starting a new workout ,,,,let your body get used to the idea ...warm up is very important,,,,think of a rubber band that is cold....stretch it and it breaks,,,,soak it in warm water and it wont


slow and steady.....

Kasey42588

I don't go to the gym enough to know the difference between sore muscles and straight-up PAIN. Like, it hurts. A lot. I can't spread my legs and even when I move a certain way, it's extremely uncomfortable. I think I may have overworked my muscles too soon, but that's just sad.. 10 reps of 10 on both machines, that's only 100 on each muscle, haha.. I'm so out of shape. My stomach doesn't hurt as much as my legs, but even that's really sore.

amymeenieminymo

I don't go to the gym enough to know the difference between sore muscles and straight-up PAIN. Like, it hurts. A lot. I can't spread my legs and even when I move a certain way, it's extremely uncomfortable. I think I may have overworked my muscles too soon, but that's just sad.. 10 reps of 10 on both machines, that's only 100 on each muscle, haha.. I'm so out of shape. My stomach doesn't hurt as much as my legs, but even that's really sore.

That's actually quite a lot, especially for your first time working out in a long time. When I used those machines I typically did 3 sets of 10 reps for each machine....it's much better to start out slow and increase your workout as you go. Since you did so many and are understandably sore, I'd really suggest you wait until the soreness and pain goes away totally before using that machine again, and then start out slow and work up to it.