Okay, so you just had an incredible workout (clap, clap) and you feel great – until, that is, you don’t. It may take a few hours or even a day, but sooner or later, all that work will catch up with you. Once soreness sets in, you may find you can’t sit, stand or walk and then – heaven forbid – you might regret the big workout. What you need to know now is what you can do to beat post-workout pain before it beats you? Let’s start with the basics. You know those aching muscles that make you wonder if it was all worth it? The hurting is called DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness – and if you have it, you should pat yourself on the back. DOMS means you’ve worked. Hard. It also means you’ve made little micro tears in your muscles and the process of healing is what makes you stronger. But in the meantime, you’re suffering all over. The last thing you want is to go back to that drill sergeant who did this to you in the first place – and nobody wants that. So instead, just follow these steps to healing post-workout soreness so you can get back to your fitness routine fast.
HOW TO BEAT POST-WORKOUT PAIN
Step 1 Your first order of business is to Stretch, Stretch, Stretch! You need to stretch out those muscles to help them feel better. It will not only relieve the tension and soreness but it will also help push you to keep up your exercise regimen, even if you feel like you don’t want to.
Step 2 Break out and shake out those wonderful Epsom Salts. Tell everyone in your household that your trainer insists you take a nice, long, hot bath so you can’t be disturbed. Then load those salts into the hot water. This stuff is not only physically healing but it will help your muscles and mind relax before you get moving again.
Step 3 No matter how hard it is, no matter if your body is screaming NO, you’ve got no choice. You have to get back to the gym. You can’t skip more than one day of exercise. That pain, that soreness, will clear out of your system the more you move around. Not only will you be happy you did, so will your body when you feel better and start seeing results.
