[IanG]

Try a low calorie protein shake after you work out and try to exercise different muscles on different days. The soreness will go as you exercise more. I never take a rest day.

And some muscles you can exercise if they are a little sore but you need to get to know your body before doing that. For example, I run every day and I know that a little soreness in a leg muscle may not be a problem. But there is a fine line as you don't want an injury.

[VioletDolphin83]

Originally Posted by pnkrckpixikat

muscle soreness is actually a really good sign, it means you worked out your muscles enough to cause micro-tears. It is the body healing the micro-tears that make the muscle stronger.

To get rid of soreness stretching and light cardio is wonderful. You basically want to pump oxygenated blood to the muscle to clear out the lactic acid causing the sensation. The lactic acid is the chemical that is left when the muscle heals itself.

To help prevent soreness stretch before and after your workout. You can also get BCAA with Glutamine. BCAA is Base Chain Amino Acids and contain all the amino acids the body uses to build muscles while glutamine somehow prevents soreness. I have no idea how but it seems to really really work for me.

Even if you aren't sore the next day due to prevention, give your body a day to heal from any strength workout before working out the same muscle group again. Remember, it is the healing, not the actual workout, that causes the results you want. If you don't let it happen you won't see results and you will likely injure yourself and further set back progress.

Edit: Also remember to eat plenty of protein as a general rule, workouts or no workouts, to help prevent your body burning muscle instead of fat

I already know about stretching and having rest days etc. I also already knew a bit about lactic acid. I'm not new to exercise. It's just that everything I've ever read has said that the idea of 'no pain no gain' is a myth.

[CherryPie99]

PAIN is bad. Soreness is good!

[crispin]

Originally Posted by lanabug

I agree with gently exercising the muscles that are sore, but also for me what helps a lot is to drink a protein shake after I work out. Even if it's just a glass of chocolate milk, it really helps my muscles repair so my body recovers much faster.

Ditto on the protein shake. That works like magic for me.

[IanG]

PAIN is bad. Soreness is good!

x2

[Riddy]

Hey Ian, I hear beer helps with soreness, too.

[IanG]

Ab-so-fricking-lutely Riddy.

It helps cure any hunger pangs too.

It's my go to.

106lbs down speaks for the beer!

[VioletDolphin83]

Originally Posted by CherryPie99

PAIN is bad. Soreness is good!

I didn't know there was a difference between pain and soreness. So what is the difference then?

[lanabug]

Originally Posted by VioletDolphin83

I didn't know there was a difference between pain and soreness. So what is the difference then?

In my experience, pain is usually sharp and shows up either immediately or very soon after injuring myself working out, while soreness is more of an ache that I don't tend to feel until the next day.