Working out

Everytime i find myself working out i always seem to hurt myself and end up out of comission for a couple days...

I think this is where my workout anxiety comes from..

How can i convince myself to workout today?

Replies

  • bdburch
    bdburch Posts: 127
    What are you doing that hurts you? You may just be pushing yourself too hard.

    I know the first week I worked out, I took a toning class. It was using little 3 lb weights and just doing some lunges and squats (along with some arm work). During the class I felt fine and was excited that I'd finished it without hurting myself. Later that day, I knew I had pushed too hard and it took almost 4 days for me to be able to go up and down steps after that.
  • Is it muscular sorenss or a genuine injury?
    Lactic acid build up can make you stiff and sore , sometimes light cardio is the best way to flush it out and loosen yourself up
  • oXGetFitBabeXo
    oXGetFitBabeXo Posts: 341 Member
    When i started insanity i hurt my knee & ankle which i took a break and was fine... Then when i worked out on the eliptical the back of my calfs were hurting for a couple days.. its a mix..

    ANd after these things happen i take a couple days break.. i get back at it and i'm hurt or my muscles hurt
  • Do less. Or stretch prior to working out?
    Never done insanity but judging by the name and what iv heard its fairly difficult
    Take baby steps and work your way up to it?
  • Philllbis
    Philllbis Posts: 801 Member
    You need to look into stretching. There are warm up stretches and after workout stretches. Go online and find stretches that suit your workout routine. I always stretch my calves and quads since I work these muscles so much. It does make a difference as far as not injuring myself!
  • hmaer6
    hmaer6 Posts: 11 Member
    It sounds like the reason you are hurting yourself, is because you are not working out consistently. I would say to start out small. Exercise M, W, F, Sunay for example. Motivation is really a difficult thing and honestly sometimes it doesn't come until AFTER you are already at the gym or place you are working out. I find that some of my bet workouts are the ones I drag my legs getting to. I also think that motivation is better achieved when you find something you really like to do. If you are bored at the gym, perhaps try taking a class. If you are bored just doing cardio, incorporate weights, but never do the same thing ever day.

    I found this really nice app called Circuit Training Assistant. It is pretty sweet because each interval is only 4 minutes long. If you like this style of exercise (high intensity interval training), pick 5 you like, and go from there, gradually adding more segments. Another thing that might help is to "save the best for last" when working out. If I love my run on the tread mill at the gym, but only tolerate the weights segment, I make sure the cardio is the reward I get for making it through the weights. Most importantly, mix it up. You are much less likely to get bored if you are trying differnet things.

    I hope this helps. I used to have the same issue until I started taking classes at work (Ripped, Dynamic Definition and Turbo Kick). It helps that I am able to do these over lunch at work so I get my second wind for the afternoon and a well-needed break.

    Good luck!
  • dangerousdumpling
    dangerousdumpling Posts: 1,109 Member
    If Insanity causes you pain, don't do it. Do something less strenuous. Also, muscle soreness doesn't mean you've hurt yourself. Make sure you stretch after you work out and give your body some time to recover. You don't have to go all out to get results. Do a workout that your body can do so you can do it regularly. Start with walking or some low impact aerobics and/or light weights and work up to doing Insanity.
  • dwh77tx
    dwh77tx Posts: 513 Member
    I used to work out at home and had great results. Then, I got bored. I MUST do a GROUP EXERCISE class in order to get me to the gym. Once I'm in the room, there are no excuses!
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    You need to build up your strength and endurance!


    As for today, just get up and go for a twenty minute walk.
  • bdburch
    bdburch Posts: 127
    Muscles hurting is common unfortunately. There are things you can try to do to lessen the soreness like icing, applying heat, and massage. It really does suck to be sore for the first week or two but after that, it weirdly starts to feel good. I can feel my muscles stretching when I bend a certain way, I can feel my body being stronger, and I have much higher self esteem because I *feel* like I look good.

    If you want some motivation for working out, just think about the body you want to have. Take it easy at first to get yourself in the swing of things and you might find that you enjoy working out. If you go to a gym, experiment with different types of workouts. I personally enjoy going to classes and doubt that I would go as much without being accountable to the instructors. You could try to get a friend to join you also. Or maybe you're one that likes to workout alone in your home. Try YouTube for some really good videos.

    If you knee or ankle hurts, I would definitely let them rest and heal but in the meantime you could be working your abs and upper body.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    :flowerforyou:
    Do less. Or stretch prior to working out?
    Never done insanity but judging by the name and what iv heard its fairly difficult
    Take baby steps and work your way up to it?

    This!

    Start out slower .... start out smaller .... then add more weight, more speed, more endurance.

    What's the saying ......You have to walk before you can learn to run :flowerforyou:
  • doc800
    doc800 Posts: 148
    It's hard to gauge what is going wrong. If you belong to a gym, many of them offer a free assessment with a Trainer. Ask, let him/her show you how to use the machines. I think that would be a good place to start, then you could tell him what you are experiencing.
  • hfester
    hfester Posts: 114 Member
    If it's muscle soreness, I say carry on. The best fix for it is another workout and maybe some Ibuprofen. It gets better gradually and eventually you won't get as sore after a workout. Today I'm hurting only on the back of one leg. It's a muther going up stairs, but I know it'll get better after I work out tonight.
  • hfester
    hfester Posts: 114 Member
    I used to work out at home and had great results. Then, I got bored. I MUST do a GROUP EXERCISE class in order to get me to the gym. Once I'm in the room, there are no excuses!

    This! I've discovered that the social aspect is the most important for me. It keeps me accountable by making the exercise fun. I want to go. Otherwise, I'll find an excuse. We moved to the country last summer and I just now have found a gym with a decent lineup of group classes. I drive quite a ways to go, but it is so worth it.