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Kitten
18-10-2012, 10:09
Hi y'all

These things have probably all been addressed in other threads, but I would appreciate some quick advice.

Been doing some core training early evenings recently & have been struggling with DOMS, not sure how to combat it. I can't eat much beforehand as I am pushing myself harder than I'm used to and I'm scared I'll actually be sick if I have food in my tummy. So usually I'd have no breakfast (or if I do, a yoghurt or porridge), coffee/tea throughout the day, a small lunch (perhaps a bowl of soup or mugshot or something), then maybe a banana or something before class. Monday though I didn't get any lunch because I had to work through & so I'd only had a coffee when I went (I know - that's not what I'd normally do).

So recently, I had some soreness in my thighs because we'd been playing mini-golf in heels on the Friday night on a works night out (don't laugh) and playing that for 3 hours with all the bending and stretching played havoc & left me really sore. I was fine the next day, but the day after, PAIN!

So, Monday I went to my training class & I was fine, bit slow but ok and did the usual workout, came home, fine.

Tuesday, Had a hot bath in morning. Bit sore but only what you'd expect after a high-intensity class, able to carry on as normal.
Wednesday. Major Pain, stiffening up as the day went on.
Thursday, still painful. Not as much as Wednesday, but moving around.
Friday, suspect I'll still be a bit sore, but manageable.

I'm not actually bothered about the soreness itself, it's just that I couldn't go to my training class last night as I literally felt like my muscles were going to snap.

So, I know there's going to be some soreness and that it will get better the more that I do, but I can't be missing chunks out of training through the week because my muscles take too long to recover. I need to know the basics - what to do before I go and what to do afterwards so that I can push myself as hard as I want to, but then not have to take 3 days off afterwards.

It's not a 'push through the pain' thing, I can do that, but I genuinely think I might have injured myself had I gone again last night. Obviously I don't want to overload on stuff that I won't work off either (am told that a protein shake is virtually a replacement meal?) as although strength & toning is the main objective, weight loss is also part of the plan!

I know loads of you are fitness bunnies, so any advice?

Will
18-10-2012, 10:36
There's no real "cure".

DOMS decreases in time as your muscles become used to the new work you're making them do. This does not mean the exercise is any less effective.

Foam rolling and mobility work whilst painful, can help improve blood flow, and helps myofascial release improving tendon movement and by improving blood flow removes the lactic acid crystals that form in your muscle fibres.

Protein and BCAAs can help reduce DOMS by giving your body the elements to repair the muscle tissue more quickly. As well as drinking a LOT of water i.e. more than the 2L daily recommended intake.

However, ultimately it'll take a few weeks for them to subside. You just have to keep at it, or work different parts of the body to wait for those parts to become less painful.

Sounds like you're doing well though! :cool: I'd probably eat a bit more nutritional food really, as what you're eating won't really help your recovery. Just a thought. :)

Be aware though foam rolling and mobility work is not fun - I, love the pain though, but I'm weird. It does help though....

Don't worry too much about "overworking" to do that, and I don't mean to sound disrespectful or demeaning, at your level you would be hard pushed to do that. :) However, it is still good to leave those body parts at least a couple of days to recover
(just in terms of how you feel) - however, you won't do yourself any harm. Certainly with a bit of mobility and foam rolling :o

This exercise stuff is a PITA (literally at times! :D).

Good luck! Sounds like you're doing well :)

BBx
18-10-2012, 10:46
Translated from above:

1) Use a Foam roller
2) Drink lots of water
3) Work other parts that do not hurt
4) No pain = no gain - enjoy it!!
5) Well done :)

:p (he loves me!)

BB x

Kitten
18-10-2012, 10:48
Translated from above:

1) Use a Foam roller
2) Drink lots of water
3) Work other parts that do not hurt
4) No pain = no gain - enjoy it!!
5) Well done :)

:p (he loves me!)

BB x

;D Thanks both x

Will
18-10-2012, 11:28
:goatse:

lostkat
18-10-2012, 17:08
Might have missed it but I can't see where you've said you're stretching regularly. A good old stretch after exercise will help and is often overlooked by people. apart from that,I concur with all that William has advised...but I don't enjoy the pain!! :-\

BBx
18-10-2012, 17:22
Stretching was represented by the Gatso smilie Coach...

BB x

Will
18-10-2012, 19:36
Might have missed it but I can't see where you've said you're stretching regularly. A good old stretch after exercise will help and is often overlooked by people. apart from that,I concur with all that William has advised...but I don't enjoy the pain!! :-\

That's part of the mobility work - but yeah you're right, some good static and dynamic stretches are good before and after.

Stretching was represented by the Gatso smilie Coach...

BB x

Gatso? Speed camera! :huh: :p

Kitten
18-10-2012, 20:20
Might have missed it but I can't see where you've said you're stretching regularly. A good old stretch after exercise will help and is often overlooked by people. apart from that,I concur with all that William has advised...but I don't enjoy the pain!! :-\

Nope, no stretches. Sam is going to find me some good ones.

Kitten
18-10-2012, 20:23
That's part of the mobility work - but yeah you're right, some good static and dynamic stretches are good before and after.



Gatso? Speed camera! :huh: :p

;D

Tak
18-10-2012, 20:29
Nope, no stretches. Sam is going to find me some good ones.

I'm on it now boss :)

Kitten
18-10-2012, 20:44
Don't worry, no rush I won't be going again until Monday & have a busy weekend so might not get chance to do much. Appreciate the help & advice you've given me today though :)

Tak
18-10-2012, 21:01
Argh - can't find my stretching textbook :( so a couple of simple stretch videos will be emailed to you in a sec; no laughing at my little miss naughty pj bottoms :p

Kitten
18-10-2012, 21:04
haha ok, thanks :D

lostkat
18-10-2012, 22:35
I thought that "mobility" might be your posh talk for stretching Will ;)

Dynamic always come before a race or a really long run for me. I don't bother on normal runs as I take it easy to start off and warm up. I never do static before running, only afterwards (unless a kitten decides to get run over outside, and then I don't stretch at all and end up with achy legs, lol), but I know it's a personal thing and people all have their own preference.

Kitten - I have a really good book about beginning running. It has some dynamic (moving) stretches for before a run with statics for afterwards. It'll be relevant to you still as there are arm/back stretches in there. If you like I can scan and send over?

Yoga stretches are also very good for you. I've started incorporating a few into my routine (google swan pose, down dog & cow faced pose) :)

Will
18-10-2012, 22:41
Agreed entirely with regards to dynamic before and static afterwards. From a kinesiology and body mechanics point of view it is absolutely the best way to prepare your body and recover from exercises.

For a silly example just look at other predators like big cats. :)

Tak
19-10-2012, 08:25
The Fuzz Speech - http://youtu.be/_FtSP-tkSug
*warning - contains dead body bits*

A series of stretch videos - http://youtu.be/bsMPqP7hxRk



Did the 2 videos I put in dropbox get to you? I've never done the share bit of it before

Kitten
19-10-2012, 11:06
Kate, this is boxing circuit training which includes running too. It's my legs (hamstrings & quads) that are the problem. That's be great if you could x

Justsomebloke
19-10-2012, 15:45
we'd been playing mini-golf in heels on the Friday night on a works night out (don't laugh)

;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D


That is all. ;D

Kitten
19-10-2012, 15:52
;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D;D


That is all. ;D

you git :p

lostkat
19-10-2012, 17:19
Kate, this is boxing circuit training which includes running too. It's my legs (hamstrings & quads) that are the problem. That's be great if you could x
Cool ok. Will scan it at work next week xx