If is doesn't hurt, you didn't work hard enough! That is the way I feel anyway. This week I worked out legs and upper back at the gym, and on my off days did abs, glutes, and arms at home. Right now I ache the good ache from head to toe! There are a couple ways to help decrease the muscle soreness, but I don't think it will ever completely go away. That muscle pain tells you that your muscles are building and repairing, and building fat, so it is a good thing. I will share with you some ways to help decrease the pain though. They are;
- PROTEINS - right after a workout your body needs proteins to rebuild and reshape those muscles. I have a protein shake, or a protein yogurt right after. This replenishes the protein stores, helps build the muscles and fit the fatigue
- CARDIO - I find that after a huge leg work the best thing to do is a run first thing the next day. Every morning after a leg "beating" (as I like to call them) I get up and do 3 x 10 min intervals of cardio. If I can't get outside I will do some fast jump squats, knee ups and run on the spot. I find this flushes the lactic acid out of the muscles and helps loosen me up.
- STRETCHING - Not my strongest area, I will admit! After my morning cardio, or evening abs I try to do at least one stretch per body part. Helps battle the stiffness and take the tension off the joints.
- WATER - Staying hydrated is very important. You need the water to flush out the lactic acid, and waste build up after that gruelling work out.
- COFFEEEEE - ok, I haven't been able to find ANY scientific data to back this on AT ALL. I know that a black coffee BEFORE can help and there is data to back that statement, but before, meh! All I know is I REQUIRE COFFEE, and after a hard workout the night before it tastes even better!
TGIF EVERYONE!!
