Ribs hurt

crosslife15
crosslife15 Posts: 8 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So yesterday was the first day working out and I'm working on my abs. My ribs is hurting now and it even hurts everyone I sneeze. Should I take a break from working out or should I keep going?

Replies

  • almostsuperpowered
    almostsuperpowered Posts: 135 Member
    Sometimes going for a walk (or bike, etc.) can help you work through stiffness. If it is so bad you are worried about injured maybe take the time to feel better?

    $0.02: when doing your ab workout, do the beginner options with good form and then proceed to the trickier bits to avoid injury.

    You're doing awesome, keep it up.
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    Congratulations on your fresh start. Are you following a program or just some random exercises? What is your goal?

    I wouldn't necessarily advise you to stop right after your first workout - but it sounds like you're focusing exclusively on your abs. I don't think that's a particularly effective approach to visible abs, or even a smaller waist. Regardless of whether you're training just abs or the whole body, you'll want to be aware that you need rest days - so maybe skip a day, then resume whatever it is you're doing on the following day.
  • crosslife15
    crosslife15 Posts: 8 Member
    Yea, I guess I would say it's a program but I'm using apps called BetterMe and Lose Weight in 30 days. I don't know if they're effective, but any suggestions will do. And my goal is to be healthy overall, especially in my mental state, since I have depression and anxiety. And thank you for the advice @autumnblade75
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    I had a day where I hit the gym (lifting only) harder than usual. Also my cat climbed a tree that day, and wouldn't come down, so I had to go get him. I'm not sure which it was from, but the next morning I felt like I had a broken rib. X-rays showed that I didn't. So, it can happen that your ribs hurt but you're not injured.

    Personally, I would take a few rest days and make sure it heals, if going to the doc was off the table. But I have more anxiety than most people.
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    I am not a doctor, and I didn't even stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but it looks like starting 2 workouts at the same time might be overdoing it. I know it's easy to be super enthusiastic at the beginning of a program and think "that's too easy, I can do more!" But that tends to lead to burn-out or injury. I'd choose one or the other and get used to making a habit of it. After a month or so, if you still feel like it's too easy and you could do more, add the second app back in. But first, be sure you're not injured - take a rest day or 2. Just keeping an eye on your calories is a step in the right direction towards influencing your weight. I presume that's what you're here for?
  • Terytha
    Terytha Posts: 2,097 Member
    Your ribs are connected to your spine. Those muscles wrap like bands around your rib cage and connect at your back. When I damaged those connections with ill advised ab workouts I also couldn't sneeze or breath in deeply without pain.

    My point being, you may have hurt your back. Make sure your form is spot on and you aren't taking on more than you should at your level.
  • crosslife15
    crosslife15 Posts: 8 Member
    Yea it is @autumnblade75

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