Too sore after workouts?

modernartemis
modernartemis Posts: 37 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone. I have a question... This is about my third week of working out everyday, at the very least every other day. Before this I was working out once a week, sometimes not at all. Recently I have been getting very, very sore after work outs. Could this be a health problem, or is it just my body adjusting? The pain is not bad while I am working out, but afterwards my muscles are stiff as board and spasm. I have tried extensive stretching, over the counter pain pills, eating lost of vitamins and electrolytes, and nothing seems to be helping. These same work outs last month (albeit once a week only) weren't causing a problem.

This is getting pretty frustrating. Has anyone else experienced this? I tried resting for a few days, but it didn't get any better! I know that some muscles supposedly need 72 hours to return to normal, but I have never experienced this continuing muscle fatigue in the past.

Replies

  • kjw1031
    kjw1031 Posts: 300 Member
    It's hard to say without knowing what workouts you're doing.

    That said, after 3 weeks of working out every day and having daily pain, I would lay off completely for 2 full days, then restart working out every other day and see if you feel better.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    1) Why? Why workout every day? Whats the purpose? How will you recover so your muscles can rebuild to be better?

    2) Are you eating at a VERY ACTIVE activity level?


    No reason to workout every day.
    The human body is only capable of so much.
    Now if you ate correctly and worked out everyday then maybe you'll get genetically lucky and not overtrain.
    If you car trying to lose fat and cutting cals.....not a good idea.
    CNS fatigue can have you overtraining and or sick in no time.
  • gerbies
    gerbies Posts: 444 Member
    Like the previous poster, it depends on what type of workouts you're doing. I had similar experiences when I was working out 6 days a week, doing very high-intensity workouts. I still workout 6 days a week, but have brought the intensity back a bit. I think it's commendable that you're working out every day, but because you were only working out 1 day a week previously, perhaps you should scale your routine back. As the previous poster suggested, give yourself several days for some of the soreness/pain to subside. Then begin with workouts 3-4 days a week until you feel ready to move on. Also, it's important to alternate workout types...balancing strength training and cardio to ensure you're taxing muscles differently.

    Keep going, but listen to your body!
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    Do you stretch before and after or just before or just after? Maybe you need to stretch more.

    I'd suggest taking 2 or 3 days off from everything, don't do anything then maybe on the 3rd or 4th day, ease back into it with a walk or jog depending on what you've been doing lately. Give your body rest-it sounds like it needs it.
  • modernartemis
    modernartemis Posts: 37 Member
    Thanks for the feedback guys! I have been alternating workouts. I do kickboxing 3x a week (local gym), elliptical 2x a week, sometimes running/walking, hiking on weekends, and try to get in the 30 day shred when I am short on time. I guess I am overdoing it. I love working out though! I had foot problems in the past so I have custom tennis shoes and inserts for all my other shoes I have to wear (neuromas on left foot) but they haven't been a problem and I don't feel pain in my feet so I don't think that is it.

    I used to work out every day and never had a problem, but since I have gained weight I think the extra weight might have a lot to do with it, which makes me sad. It is so frustrating! But I don't want to cause long term damage to my body either. My energy level is high, and I feel good while working out, but afterwards my muscles are stiff and inflexible.

    Also, I stretch before and after- but maybe I should look up more calf stretches.
  • blonde71
    blonde71 Posts: 955 Member
    When i was working out 6-7 days a week, I was seriously sore. Now I've scaled it back to 4-5 day a week and I'm not nearly as sore. Listen to your body is my advice.
  • cnicholej
    cnicholej Posts: 3 Member
    Protein helps rebuild your muscles and also helps with soreness (since it's building tissue). Drink a protein shake at least 30 min after your workout, preferably sooner. It helped me A LOT since I get sore very easily. Sore is good, that means you are working different muscles in your body more often, building muscle and trimming fat. Keep it up! :)
  • cnicholej
    cnicholej Posts: 3 Member
    P.S. working out everyday is ok as long as you are not overdoing it. Like people who are in the gym 8hrs a day everyday, that's too much! An hour a day (if this is your routine) is not going to hurt you, it's the type of excercises you are doing. It is switching the muscles groups making you sore which is good, especially your joints. If you run on a treadmill every single day, your body will get used to using the same muscles over and over again. Once you change your routine, your muscles will be sore because you are using different muscles in your body. but like I said, drink a protein shake after workouts and that will help you get rid of the lactic acid (causing soreness) in your muscles to go away faster while rebuilding your muscle tissue.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories