This blog topic is on my mind because it’s IN my arms and legs! Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is that burning in your muscles after you start a new exercise regimen or sometimes when you increase the workload of the exercise you were already doing. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about – that burning in your quads that won’t let you sit down or get up off the toilet. Yeah – ouch! My beautiful daughter Laramie was born 6 weeks ago and I’ve slowly been working on getting back to my old work-out schedule. I started with some light cardio and have been increasing the intensity slowly. Yesterday I finally got up enough courage to do some weight training. Today I’m having some serious DOMS!
There are a few things that can help ease the pain from DOMS:
- Make sure you drink plenty of water. It’s especially important when you’re working out, but also important everyday
- Make sure you’re getting enough protein. Building muscle is a process of creating micro-tears in the muscle and then repairing them so they are bigger and stronger. The body requires protein as the building block for muscle.
- And of course, proper cool down stretching can help. When muscles are extra sore, try stretching as many times as possible throughout the day.
- And last, but not least – keep moving! It’s tempting to lie completely still and never move again because it hurts too much, BUT the more you use those muscles, the faster the soreness will go away. Don’t skip your next workout because you’re sore. Be excited about your next workout because it will make you LESS sore!
These tips may not completely relieve your DOMS, but they will help. Don’t fret – while the muscle soreness may be delayed, it is also temporary!
Tell me what you’re doing to exercise these days and have you experienced any DOMS?
- Dr. Emily :-)
- Dr. Emily :-)
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