Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

[gunnabfit]

Hello,
Ever since I started Atkins, which is three weeks ago, I have been going hard on excerising. I have been doing a 8.5-9.5 incline on the treadmill at a speed of 2.5 for 20 minute intervals...exchanging walking.

Anyways, my problem is that my thigh or hip area is starting to get EXTREMELY sore and I almost cried on the treadmill tonight, but Im scared if I dont work out one day it may lead to another then another, until eventually Im not on a diet at all! I dont know what its caused from....should I stop or will it stop...should I "walk it off" so they say?

Any input would be great THANKS!!!

[Grant]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

You should not walk it off. You have to listen to your body, it's telling you something is wrong if you are feeling pain that intense. Your body needs time to recover, rest days are important to give your body a chance to heal. If you just don't feel like you can take a rest day then change up your exercise so that you aren't using the same muscles (a good idea in general anyway). Get a stability ball and some weights and work your upper body and core, go swimming, do crunches and push-ups, etc. Something that gives those muscles a chance to heal up.

[Lyssie]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

Grant's right.... it's not supposed to be painful. That being said, I'd lower the incline when I return. Maybe see if the elliptical hurts like that (without high resistance) if you're looking for cardio.

[biogeek]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

That is quite the steep incline! You may wish to do intervals of 8.5/9.5 for a couple of minutes and a flat or slight incline for a couple of minutes in order to give your body a breather during your intense workout instead of doing intervals of 8.5/9.5 with no "easier" workload.

Also, since you've been on Atkins for 3 weeks and starting a new exercise program, have you given your body a rest day for recovery? That's important as well! Even Olympians give themselves rest days, so don't think you're "wimping out" if you give yourself a break. If you wish to remain active on your rest day, you can give yoga a try or just a good stretching routine to help out your muscles. Speaking of which, are you doing any stretching?

Don't forget to drink your water!

Oh, when you say your thigh/hip area is sore, are you meaning your hip flexor (the area where your leg "joins" your torso and makes a crease when you lift your leg...usually feel the pain in the front part of your hip)? If so, straining the hip flexor IS really painful, and there are some good stretches to help it out.

[gunnabfit]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

Yes! That sounds like the area iy hurts in! No, I dont stretch before my walking...I usually stretch after, I always get confused cause some people say stretch before and some say after. Great advice Grant! I have some yoga classes at my gym, and I could definately benifit from doing upper body workouts....as well though, I will go see my Chiropracture today....thanks again!!!

[gunnabfit]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

I went to the Chiro's and its an overuse injury he says. I've basically just imflamed the "ballbearings" of my hip so I need to take it vERY easy and do walking at no inlcine for about a week...so if it happens to anyone else now you know! Thanks!

[quotidianlight]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

It's important to work up to such intense exercise. I take one recovery day a week and when I go up in intensity I will add a light exercise week a month. You're body builds and repaired during the rest days. I have noticeable increased strength the day after recovery so I would recommend doing some research on how to develop a training program or follow a set training program (I'm too lazy and confused to try developing my own). Take it easy and I hope you heal quickly.

[gunnabfit]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

Wow! I never knew that!!! Thanks for thre great advice!

[quotidianlight]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

Wow! I never knew that!!! Thanks for thre great advice!

I'm glad I could help a little. Good luck with healing.

[jimmyolsenblues]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

8.5 is a huge incline.
What about just walking for 30 minutes a day on a flat surface?
Also remember to vary your exercises. Walk, bike, swim, skate, lift, run, jump rope, play soccer, volleyball, ski, and anything else that gets your heart rate up.
This will lessen the stress on the same joints in the same movements time and time again.
You will get bored less if you change exercises frequently.

[gunnabfit]

Re: Owwwwyyyy!!!!!

I think I may have to do that so my body can get adjusted to the changes...thanks again!