Working out while sore?

CitrusMaiden
CitrusMaiden Posts: 60 Member
edited December 19 in Fitness and Exercise
I tried to find info about this in the pinned threads but was unsuccessful, I'm sorry if I missed it.

I had my first ever real workout session last week, on Thursday. It was a full bodyweight circuit workout and I was sore to the point of having trouble sitting down for two full days afterwards and it was still very noticeable on the third day. This got me thinking, since I originally wanted to do that exercise 3 days a week, should I do it while I'm still sore from the previous workout or should I wait till it's almost gone? If I should wait then I think I will have to go with 2 days a week till I stop being so sore.

Replies

  • angelsja
    angelsja Posts: 859 Member
    I find that if I workout while sore my muscles feel better for it you could try every other day and make sure you correctly warm up/ cool down
  • LovelySavannah
    LovelySavannah Posts: 145 Member
    edited January 2019
    Since it was your first ever real workout, your body is just sore because you basically shocked it, which is great. But be careful to not over do it. You still need to listen to your body. It's normal to be sore afterwards, especially the next day. But if you're sore for more than 3 days or you're so sore that it's affecting you performing the routine, then you may have pushed your body too much. Try to start off doing that workout 2 days a week like you mentioned then work it up when your body is comfortable with the routine, which should only take maybe 2/3 more times.

    Also to help sore muscles, stretch before and after working out. Massage yourself a little and drink lots of water. Eat a little more protein too because that repairs the muscles 😊
  • CitrusMaiden
    CitrusMaiden Posts: 60 Member
    edited January 2019
    I warmed up for 5 min with jumping jacks, jogging, and running up and down a staircase. I ended the workout with a 5 minute full body stretch.

    I am very unexperienced with exercising, but I don't see where I could've done something wrong. The workout was difficult for me, I am no doubt very weak, but I managed to do it. I'm not sure if I would be able to do it all when I'm very sore (which I was on day two after the exercise). Do you mean that I should push it anyway?

    EDIT: This comment was a reply to angelsja, just to clarify.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    edited January 2019
    if you're still that sore after your next workout then i would say you're pushing yourself too hard too soon.

    Working out 3 x a week should be fine, you just need to get used to it.

    walking and stretching the day after your workout if you're sore is a good idea. also, make sure you're getting adequate protein to help your muscles repair.
  • CitrusMaiden
    CitrusMaiden Posts: 60 Member
    LovelySavannah wrote: »
    Since it was your first ever real workout, your body is just sore because you basically shocked it, which is great. But be careful to not over do it. You still need to listen to your body. It's normal to be sore afterwards, especially the next day. But if you're sore for more than 3 days or you're so sore that it's affecting you performing the routine, then you may have pushed your body too much. Try to start off doing that workout 2 days a week like you mentioned then work it up when your body is comfortable with the routine, which should only take maybe 2/3 more times.

    Also to help sore muscles, stretch before and after working out. Massage yourself a little and drink lots of water. Eat a little more protein too because that repairs the muscles 😊

    I do hope it gets better relatively soon, I fully understand that my body isn't used to that sort of pressure.
    I had to slow down and breathe a lot in the end, as well as hold on to things to not fall over, but I made it through. Maybe I did push too hard. The exercise did say it was for beginners, but I suppose I'm weaker than the average beginner.

    Thanks for the tips :blush:
  • CitrusMaiden
    CitrusMaiden Posts: 60 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    if you're till that sore after your next workout then i would say you're pushing yourself too hard too soon.

    Working out 3 x a week should be fine, you just need to get used to it.

    walking and stretching the day after your workout if you're sore is a good idea. also, make sure you're getting adequate protein to help your muscles repair.

    I will try again today (should've done it yesterday but I forgot), so I suppose I'll find out rather soon. It wouldn't surprise me if it's maybe a bit too harsh. The exercise consists of three repetitions of the same 5 exercises, if I feel the same after today as I did the last time I might cut the third and last repetition till my body has gotten a bit more used to it.

    I didn't know about stretching the day after, thank you, I'll try that.
  • LovelySavannah
    LovelySavannah Posts: 145 Member
    CitrusMaiden wrote: »
    LovelySavannah wrote: »
    Since it was your first ever real workout, your body is just sore because you basically shocked it, which is great. But be careful to not over do it. You still need to listen to your body. It's normal to be sore afterwards, especially the next day. But if you're sore for more than 3 days or you're so sore that it's affecting you performing the routine, then you may have pushed your body too much. Try to start off doing that workout 2 days a week like you mentioned then work it up when your body is comfortable with the routine, which should only take maybe 2/3 more times.

    Also to help sore muscles, stretch before and after working out. Massage yourself a little and drink lots of water. Eat a little more protein too because that repairs the muscles 😊

    I do hope it gets better relatively soon, I fully understand that my body isn't used to that sort of pressure.
    I had to slow down and breathe a lot in the end, as well as hold on to things to not fall over, but I made it through. Maybe I did push too hard. The exercise did say it was for beginners, but I suppose I'm weaker than the average beginner.

    Thanks for the tips :blush:

    It will get better. Your body is made to fix itself, just give it time. I've had plenty of workouts that left me like that. I remember one that was for beginners too and I was like "for beginners? In what world?" while falling to the ground, gasping for air lol.

    I have plenty of tips, been working out for almost 2 years now.. if you would like to know anything else you can always add me and ask 😊
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    CitrusMaiden wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    if you're till that sore after your next workout then i would say you're pushing yourself too hard too soon.

    Working out 3 x a week should be fine, you just need to get used to it.

    walking and stretching the day after your workout if you're sore is a good idea. also, make sure you're getting adequate protein to help your muscles repair.

    I will try again today (should've done it yesterday but I forgot), so I suppose I'll find out rather soon. It wouldn't surprise me if it's maybe a bit too harsh. The exercise consists of three repetitions of the same 5 exercises, if I feel the same after today as I did the last time I might cut the third and last repetition till my body has gotten a bit more used to it.

    I didn't know about stretching the day after, thank you, I'll try that.

    or maybe just aim for 2 reps of each this time, and the next time, and then add in the 3rd after that?

    its a marathon not a sprint, and in a couple of months you'll find the workout easy and want something more challenging, but there's no point doing something that actually sets you back because you cant move for a week!
  • CitrusMaiden
    CitrusMaiden Posts: 60 Member
    LovelySavannah wrote: »
    CitrusMaiden wrote: »
    LovelySavannah wrote: »
    Since it was your first ever real workout, your body is just sore because you basically shocked it, which is great. But be careful to not over do it. You still need to listen to your body. It's normal to be sore afterwards, especially the next day. But if you're sore for more than 3 days or you're so sore that it's affecting you performing the routine, then you may have pushed your body too much. Try to start off doing that workout 2 days a week like you mentioned then work it up when your body is comfortable with the routine, which should only take maybe 2/3 more times.

    Also to help sore muscles, stretch before and after working out. Massage yourself a little and drink lots of water. Eat a little more protein too because that repairs the muscles 😊

    I do hope it gets better relatively soon, I fully understand that my body isn't used to that sort of pressure.
    I had to slow down and breathe a lot in the end, as well as hold on to things to not fall over, but I made it through. Maybe I did push too hard. The exercise did say it was for beginners, but I suppose I'm weaker than the average beginner.

    Thanks for the tips :blush:

    It will get better. Your body is made to fix itself, just give it time. I've had plenty of workouts that left me like that. I remember one that was for beginners too and I was like "for beginners? In what world?" while falling to the ground, gasping for air lol.

    I have plenty of tips, been working out for almost 2 years now.. if you would like to know anything else you can always add me and ask 😊

    That is very kind of you! I don't know how many questions I will have going forward, but if it's alright it would be nice to add you anyway :smile: I can't wait till I've done this for two years as well.

    Maybe their idea of beginner is very different from my idea, that's true :sweat_smile: I know I am very weak, so I never really considered that, I just assume it's me.
  • CitrusMaiden
    CitrusMaiden Posts: 60 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    CitrusMaiden wrote: »
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    if you're till that sore after your next workout then i would say you're pushing yourself too hard too soon.

    Working out 3 x a week should be fine, you just need to get used to it.

    walking and stretching the day after your workout if you're sore is a good idea. also, make sure you're getting adequate protein to help your muscles repair.

    I will try again today (should've done it yesterday but I forgot), so I suppose I'll find out rather soon. It wouldn't surprise me if it's maybe a bit too harsh. The exercise consists of three repetitions of the same 5 exercises, if I feel the same after today as I did the last time I might cut the third and last repetition till my body has gotten a bit more used to it.

    I didn't know about stretching the day after, thank you, I'll try that.

    or maybe just aim for 2 reps of each this time, and the next time, and then add in the 3rd after that?

    its a marathon not a sprint, and in a couple of months you'll find the workout easy and want something more challenging, but there's no point doing something that actually sets you back because you cant move for a week!

    I could try that, sounds reasonable! Maybe I could even do it 3 times per week too if I went that route.

    You are right, it does feel a bit silly trying to workout but ending up unable to move for days.


    On a more positive note, this is the first time I have ever felt that I have muscles in my abdomen (they got sore as well). I don't think I've been happy about being sore before, but that was cool, haha.
  • LovelySavannah
    LovelySavannah Posts: 145 Member
    CitrusMaiden wrote: »
    LovelySavannah wrote: »
    CitrusMaiden wrote: »
    LovelySavannah wrote: »
    Since it was your first ever real workout, your body is just sore because you basically shocked it, which is great. But be careful to not over do it. You still need to listen to your body. It's normal to be sore afterwards, especially the next day. But if you're sore for more than 3 days or you're so sore that it's affecting you performing the routine, then you may have pushed your body too much. Try to start off doing that workout 2 days a week like you mentioned then work it up when your body is comfortable with the routine, which should only take maybe 2/3 more times.

    Also to help sore muscles, stretch before and after working out. Massage yourself a little and drink lots of water. Eat a little more protein too because that repairs the muscles 😊

    I do hope it gets better relatively soon, I fully understand that my body isn't used to that sort of pressure.
    I had to slow down and breathe a lot in the end, as well as hold on to things to not fall over, but I made it through. Maybe I did push too hard. The exercise did say it was for beginners, but I suppose I'm weaker than the average beginner.

    Thanks for the tips :blush:

    It will get better. Your body is made to fix itself, just give it time. I've had plenty of workouts that left me like that. I remember one that was for beginners too and I was like "for beginners? In what world?" while falling to the ground, gasping for air lol.

    I have plenty of tips, been working out for almost 2 years now.. if you would like to know anything else you can always add me and ask 😊

    That is very kind of you! I don't know how many questions I will have going forward, but if it's alright it would be nice to add you anyway :smile: I can't wait till I've done this for two years as well.

    Maybe their idea of beginner is very different from my idea, that's true :sweat_smile: I know I am very weak, so I never really considered that, I just assume it's me.

    Go right ahead 😊
    We're all weak at first when working out but it gets better 😊
  • CitrusMaiden
    CitrusMaiden Posts: 60 Member
    LovelySavannah wrote: »
    CitrusMaiden wrote: »
    LovelySavannah wrote: »
    CitrusMaiden wrote: »
    LovelySavannah wrote: »
    Since it was your first ever real workout, your body is just sore because you basically shocked it, which is great. But be careful to not over do it. You still need to listen to your body. It's normal to be sore afterwards, especially the next day. But if you're sore for more than 3 days or you're so sore that it's affecting you performing the routine, then you may have pushed your body too much. Try to start off doing that workout 2 days a week like you mentioned then work it up when your body is comfortable with the routine, which should only take maybe 2/3 more times.

    Also to help sore muscles, stretch before and after working out. Massage yourself a little and drink lots of water. Eat a little more protein too because that repairs the muscles 😊

    I do hope it gets better relatively soon, I fully understand that my body isn't used to that sort of pressure.
    I had to slow down and breathe a lot in the end, as well as hold on to things to not fall over, but I made it through. Maybe I did push too hard. The exercise did say it was for beginners, but I suppose I'm weaker than the average beginner.

    Thanks for the tips :blush:

    It will get better. Your body is made to fix itself, just give it time. I've had plenty of workouts that left me like that. I remember one that was for beginners too and I was like "for beginners? In what world?" while falling to the ground, gasping for air lol.

    I have plenty of tips, been working out for almost 2 years now.. if you would like to know anything else you can always add me and ask 😊

    That is very kind of you! I don't know how many questions I will have going forward, but if it's alright it would be nice to add you anyway :smile: I can't wait till I've done this for two years as well.

    Maybe their idea of beginner is very different from my idea, that's true :sweat_smile: I know I am very weak, so I never really considered that, I just assume it's me.

    Go right ahead 😊
    We're all weak at first when working out but it gets better 😊

    Thank you :blush:

    I suppose we are, you're right. I just know that I was stronger when I was an underweight teenager, which is a bit of a downer, haha.
  • LovelySavannah
    LovelySavannah Posts: 145 Member
    Haha that is a little contradicting 😂
  • tlpina82
    tlpina82 Posts: 229 Member
    So, you decided to workout. (Pause for Dramatic Effect)

    Perfectly normal for you to feel sore in the beginning. I feel it if I spend more than 2 weeks without working out, which happens sometimes due to work travel or illness.
    I do have one tactic for that.

    I do one full body workout and feel the pain for 2 or 3 days. Once the soreness is gone or weak enough that i can manage it properly, I do another workout. I feel the pain again, but this time it's for a day or 2.
    Again I wait for the body to heal and the soreness to go away.
    By the 3rd workout, I feel fine and I can start turning up the heat.

    Keep in mind that until yesterday, you had a sedentary life.
    So have patience.
    Trying to do everything at once right at the beginning may do more harm than good.
    A muscle spasm, which is very common on beginner doing HIIT, can leave you sitting in the couch for weeks with terrible movement difficulties.
    Start slow, develop muscle coordination and resistance, then push it.
  • CitrusMaiden
    CitrusMaiden Posts: 60 Member
    I am not surprised at all that I am sore, I have been sore before, I know that it is normal. I just wanted to ask about working out while sore :blush:

    I decided to take it easier this time, two instead of three full circuits, so hopefully I won't be sore for as long as last time.


    Thank you all for your replies and help!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories