sore muscles

[Prester John]

Here's the best advice, unless you have some pre-existing problems...consult your physician, of course.

Get enough water. Get some vitamin C in your system - juice is good for that.
Take an aspirin before you work out. One will do.
Ice, yes, ICE the muscles used. Just suck it up. Sure, it's hard, but it'll cut recovery at least in half. Try it for a week, and thank me later.

On "off days" do some active recovery work - brisk walk with a weighted vest, overhead lifting of something heavy, but not dangerous (a bag of sand is cheap and a great off day workout). Mostly, get active and use the muscles gently, but don't over do it.

Remember also, DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) is not an indicator of a good workout. You may get it on some days, and not get it on others. Don't use it as an indicator of a successful workout.

Oh, and for the record, I'm 44 years old.

[mrpharr]

plenty of stretching post work out. it will help more that anything.
steve

[cloves]

thanks for all the advice guys.
I don't think i've done any damage fortunately. I just think i'm really out of practice. And yeah Prester John, the stiffness pretty much dissapears if I stay moving and warm, I'll have to make a concious effort to not spend hours in front of the computer monitor!

Anybody else currently training in any martial arts?

Also, I've always been a big person, though I try to stay away from really bad food choices....but lately, only after 2 classes I'm finding myself ravenously hungry and I haven't made any diet changes as such. Is that normal???

[sorcererdale]

Put on a kilt, that always makes me feel good. I know, it doesn't relieve pain, but I had to say that.

DALE.

[Red Lioness]

I found that a nice tightly wrapped obi makes a good impromptu back brace.

[Norbydog]

Get yourself some Biofreeze. That stuff is the best. I assure you, you will thank me later. I have terrible cramps all over from training.