Getting going with new fitness goals can be hard. Its physically hard pushing yourself, it can be mentally hard to get going and it can sometimes leave you feeling achy and sore for a day or two.
Thing is, the idea that you HAVE to be sore to have achieved anything is an outdated theory.
It’s common to experience muscle soreness when starting a new regime, but it’s only one indicator of the effectiveness of your efforts.
And if you’re continuously sore, it can not only cause you to give up on your fitness goals but can also prevent you from making progress too – because you’re never feeling at full strength!
So here are 6 hacks to help alleviate your aches and pains, to keep you on track:
#1. We’ll never get bored of saying this… “Motion is Lotion!”
We know that when you’re in pain, the last thing you can feel like doing is MOVING.
But staying active is actually proven to help your body recover faster.
Simply ensuring you’re standing and stretching every 30-60 minutes while working at your desk or getting out for a light walk can be enough to help massively.
#2. Take your time!
The temptation when starting anything new with a renewed sense of motivation is to go ‘hell for leather’.
But if you’re going from ZERO to flat out, it’s a sure-fire way to not only burn yourself out, but also increase your chance of injury.
Remember, taking care of your health is a marathon, not a sprint, so focus on slow, steady progression and allow time for your body to adapt. It makes for far more sustainable progress, without the pain!
#3. Make time for Recovery
Following on from the last point, don’t forget to give yourself time to recover.
Endless studies have shown that overtraining can prevent you from progressing, because your muscles, joints, and even nervous system need time to strengthen and rebuild whenever put under new stress.
So instead of going flat out 7 days a week, make sure you’re taking the time to ‘go slow’ a few times a week. You’ll feel much better for it.
#4. Soak it up
When you’re taking some time out, why not try a nice warm bath with Epsom salts?
This can not only help you soothe any sore muscles but can also provide the perfect time to relax and rebalance, helping you stay relaxed and on track.
#5. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
A shocking number of people STILL don’t drink enough water each day.
We recommend all our patients keep a reusable bottle of water on them at all times, to help ensure they’re sipping throughout the day – bottles with time markers are great to help you keep track of your consumption too!
Not only is this great for your overall health, it’s vital to ensure your body is able to recover properly and help prevent you from getting sore.
#6. Think about what you’re eating
If losing weight is on your aim, you might assume that ‘all calories are created equal’, but this is far from the case.
Ensuring you’re fuelling your body with the right nutrients and vitamins is key to help you recover and prevent you from feeling constantly tired or sore.
So make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods where possible, to keep you feeling tip top.
Finally, what about the WRONG sort or soreness?
As we mentioned, experiencing some muscle soreness when starting a new activity or plan is completely normal.
But if you’re getting pain in your joints, neck, back, head or even muscle pain that doesn’t go away quickly, it’s probably time for an adjustment.
Your Spinal Health will have a HUGE impact on how you feel overall, so it’s essential to look after it to prevent damage and keep yourself pain-free and healthy.
If you’d like to chat with us about how treatments could help support your fitness goals, or you just need to book your next adjustment give us a call on 01925 411005
