Oh dear God it hurts to live!

KassLamb
KassLamb Posts: 98 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Yesterday, I lifted for the first time since high school. I felt pretty badass right afterward, but today I'm sooo incredibly sore. I expected to be pretty sore, but expected nothing quite like this. I mean, I earlier, I had been standing for about half an hour when my legs just decided that they weren't going to hold me up anymore and I fell.

I'm scheduled to run tomorrow. I don't think that's going to happen. I'll probably just do some cardio on an elliptical. I'm worried about the next day, though. I'm supposed to lift again. I really want to. If I stop working out for too long, I tend to abandon it.

What can I do to decrease the amount of time I'm sore? And how long should I wait before lifting again? Do I wait until the soreness decreases or until it subsides completely? Last time I can remember being really sore form working out, I was at least still somewhat sore an entire week later.

Someone told me to ice the sore muscles. I laughed at that suggestion because if I did that, I'd spend the entire day icing a muscle, refreezing the ice pack, then moving on to the next muscle. Seriously, I hurt EVERYWHERE.

Replies

  • claytonmccord
    claytonmccord Posts: 19 Member
    I'm currently in EXACTLY the same boat as you right now. :-) I am still going to go to the gym tomorrow to at least do some very light weight lifting and probably some minimal cardio just to keep myself motivated to keep going to the gym. I hurt pretty bad but I hope that it will go away within about 3 days if I allow myself to rest properly before heavily exerting again. Today I only walked on my treadmill for an hour at 2mph which really seemed to help the soreness while I was moving. Now that I'm sitting again I'm not sure if it was a net gain or loss for my recovery.
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
    1st suggestion--move. Even if it's a light walk. Just keep moving and DON'T just sit around. That's asking for problems
    2nd: Stretch and stretch a lot. It will hurt but do it anyway
    3rd: Water, water, water and potassium will help

    I would give it 48-72 hours of light activity and stretching and then get back at it but make sure you warm up before, drink plenty and stretch well after.
  • pinkperfume
    pinkperfume Posts: 50
    I'm far from an expert, but I did read if you're sore from lifting do not lift again until you're not sore. Fish oil and glutamine may help.
  • jestersand
    jestersand Posts: 61 Member
    Welcome to best part of pain there is!
    Between my muscle head buddy and I, we determined that vinegar works wonders on hurt muscles. He used to eat mustard packets and I drank pickle juice which is a remedy passed down from my father for muscle cramps. Vinegar happens to be the common denominator. I eat Balsamic Vinaggrette daily with my salads, and increasing weight on my routine is easy. I don't get that burning feeling anymore. I also stay well hydrated as I am working out. I drink low-cal Gatorade during the workout and water the rest of the day. It does seem you started way too quick, which happens often, but don't give up the work out. Hope that helps.

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