I joined Curves and worked out 2 days in a row. I'm sore today so I decided not to work out today. Are there any suggestions for sore muscles other than to rest for a day or 2?

Take a rest, you deserve it. And with strength training, you actually get better results if you have rest days between sessions, it gives you muscles time to recover, which is when the actual growth occurs. Lifting weights or using machines like you do at Curves causes tiny tears and damage to the muscle fibres and when the body repairs that, you get increased size and strength.

On the in between days go for a walk or a swim or do something else active that doesnt involve lifting weight.

I joined Curves and worked out 2 days in a row. I'm sore today so I decided not to work out today. Are there any suggestions for sore muscles other than to rest for a day or 2?

Don't try to exercise like crazy to make up for all the exercise you never did. It took a while to get unfit -- it will take some time to get fit. The reason for the soreness is a build up of lactic acid in the muscles which happens when we overexert ourselves. Some nice things you can do for yourself when that happens:

1. Drink more Water

2. Soak in a nice hot bath -- I use Epsom salts, Whole Foods sells something called Bath Therapy.

3. Drink more water

4. Gently stretch out the muscles. If you have someone to help you get the best stretch, that's ideal. They should be able to do that for you at the end of the work out at Curves.

5. Drink more water

6. And the number 1 absolutely BEST thing you could do is get a massage!

7. Drink more water!!

Good luck,

Jo Ann

Thank you both for the feedback. This is very helpful.

Taking a hot bath dehydrates you so be very careful. It can cause muscle cramps. You don't realize how much you sweat when in a bath! That is why when you get out you are sometimes dizzy.

Drink a protien shake, it helps muscles recover. Your muscles need protien to heal.

Do drink water

Did someone say "drink more water". Same problem with exercise, drank more water and no more problem.

I too have joined Curves and I thought I would die at first. I have been drinking a LOT of water and taken motrin and after a couple of weeks it has gotten better. I have lost 12 lbs and 8 inches, so I guess what they say is true, no pain no gain. I have realized this is a whole life style change for me. Its not just about eating less its about living more. this will take some getting use to but i think it is worth it. Keep up the good work.