This Thanksgiving I got my sleepy self up and out of bed at 6:45 AM. Yes, I know, this is later than some who chose to get up before the crack of dawn on “Black Friday,” but still, for me, this was a tad early to rise and shine on Turkey Day.
So, why was I up? To venture to the 2009 Ultimate Bootcamp Turkey BLAST, of course!!! I mean, what else would I be doing Thanksgiving morning?
One of my best girlfriends, Elena, was coming down to Boston for the weekend and signed up for this class. Immediately, when she informed me of her crazed Turkey Day destination, I was intrigued… Then, I went to their website and read the following in the FAQ section:
I just finished a class and 3 days later, I’m sore! Is this normal?
Your muscles don’t care whether you’ve run marathons, climbed mountains, or haven’t worked out in 6 months, Ultimate Bootcamp workouts are simply an activity your body is not accustomed to. Soreness can last up to 10 days after you complete a Blast class. If this is your first Blast class, you might want to work at 60% of your total effort as 90 minutes of exercise is definitely a challenge.
That FAQ Did Me In!
I happen to LOVE being sore … it’s my body’s way of saying, “You really kicked a** today, challenged yourself, and did something new. Way to go girl, keep it up!” The hope of challenging myself and feeling that twinge of muscle achy-breakiness the next day makes me keep at it! Hence, I vary my workouts—one day I’ll do Jillian, the next an hour on the Precor, then free weights (total body) and some cardio on my machine of choice–you get my point??? I switch up my sweat sessions so I work harder and don’t get BORED! Because if I’m bored, I won’t keep at it, which in turn means my healthifying ways will decline, hence, my body will not thank me.
So, just a lil’ advice from me to you—find something you look forward to doing and just do it! Everyone has their own thing. Some are gym rats. Others wouldn’t step within 10 feet of a gym if you paid them, but would happily spend a couple hours hiking, biking, or mountain climbing … or walking! Don’t forget the basics of the basics … our own 2 feet! They serve as free built in exercise equipment … along with the ground, of course. Simply, find YOUR OWN heart-pumping, sweat-dripping way to get your body movin’ and groovin’ and go out and shake it or as some would day, HOOF IT!
The Start to My Venture
On Thursday AM, I was mentally preparing for bootcamp. But, instead of envisioning myself gracefully “movin’ and groovin’ it,” I was preppin’ for an all out throwdown—Bobby Flay style! Just kidding … that was for after the dirt-covering, mud-loving bootcamp!
Before I left my humble abode, I downed a caffeine workout-empowering cup of joe, ate a banana for some brain and muscle fueling carbs, and chomped on a slice of low-fat sharp cheddar for longer lasting energy. Perhaps a strange combo, but I got the two pre-workout necessities in there: good carbs (the banana, yup, fruit is a carbohydrate) and protein (from the low-fat cheese). 
Upon my arrival we ran around the Boston Common, swiveled, pivoted, high-kneed, butt-kicked, and I don’t even know what else across the field. Squats, bear crawls, tricep dips, bicep curls, sprints, push-ups, bicycle crunches, toe-taps, lunges, high-jumps, and more running consequently followed. Then, more sprints, more lunges, and more feet shakin’ fancy footwork ensued, leaving me quite sweaty and rather an unfriendly site. But, hey, no pain … no gain!
Then, miraculously, Margot, Elena, and I triumphantly finished the class! We were sweaty, grimy, dirty, and muddy. BUT, we finished. AND, I LOVED it!!! I left energized and perhaps a lil’ ahead of myself because I was feeling pretty good … almost too good. I thought, “Hey, this really wasn’t that bad. All that soreness was just mumbo jumbo hype!”
So Much for Mumbo Jumbo Hype
And, then … I woke up the next day to a tight, sore, touch-me-and-I’ll-scream aching back. Oh yes, we’re talking delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) folks. Now, DOMS is not totally understood—what’s new in the science world?—but, what is known is that it results a day or two after a heavy bout of exercise, particularly when a new routine is performed or if the length and/or intensity of a workout is increased. Also, DOMS results from microscopic muscle fiber damage. But, wait, don’t fret … this is actually good. Once the fibers repair, your muscles will be sleeker and stronger—so now YOU can do a pull-up or 10 “boy” push-ups … yay! … and your bones will smile in strengthening surprise!
Furthermore, DOMS mainly occurs as a result of eccentric contractions? Wha, Wha??? All this means is that the muscle lengthens while exerting force. Examples of eccentric contractions include:
- Running downhill
- Going Down Stairs
- Downward motion of squats
- Down-phase of the push-up
- Landing on the ground after a jump
Humm … well let me think. Yes, I did all of those and then some! Explaining my DOMS. Now, there is no “cure” for DOMS, except time. But, these may help:
- Work it out! Yup–this may sound torturous, but doing some cardio to get your blood pumpin’ may help lessen your achy muscles
- Stretching
- Gentle massaging
- Yoga
A Simple Message from Me to You
Find ways to get your sweat on that YOU actually LOVE, so you’ll keep at it. If you’re sitting there whispering this chick is crazy … I’ll never look forward to exercise! Please, I beg of you, just do me a favor–break a sweat for 45 minutes at least 5 days this week and dare to tell me that it doesn’t make you feel good!
Also, don’t be afraid to try something new or push yourself! You never know what you can do until you actually try. And, once you see yourself getting stronger and feeling better, you might even look in the mirror and think, “Hey, good lookin’, how you doin’?”
Lastly, ladies don’t be afraid of the weight room! Just walk in there like you own it and buff it out! If you don’t hit the gym, that’s A-okay. Go out and buy some weights or start squatting and push-upping to get those muscles and bones strong. And, hey—if you’re sore, that’s a good thing! Your muscles will get stronger faster. But, if the wrath of soreness does not ensue that’s okay, your muscles and bones can still get stronger … perhaps just not as quickly. But, let’s be real—if you’re feeling as if you’re lifting up a can of Campbell’s, you may want to up it a tad in the weight department.
P.S. I am no longer sore! And, if you’re in Boston you must check out Ultimate Bootcamp! The classes are awesome workouts and the instructors are fabulous … you’ll fall in workout LOVE!
Happy Healthifying!
What activity makes you most sore? And, how do you “cure” it?
I say goodbye to fad diets, bogus “fat-burning” pills, and processed, non-food food. And, I smile hello to a healthifying lifestyle full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains, sweaty workouts, the occasional "chocolate fix," sleep, family and friend time, and quality “me time” with a focus on health. I look forward to your comments and thoughts as the posts healthify on by! Thanks for reading!
Great job getting out there and working up a sweat. I’m definitely not afraid to get in there and lift weights. I see more and more women lifting nowadays. I think it’s starting to become more of the norm. Yay for that!
I’m always sore in my legs and neck after workouts. I use the foam roller and that helps with the leg pain. I’m still trying to figure out what to do for my neck.
Have a great week!
Yes, it really was a fun workout and day!
I too am thrilled to see more and more women pumping iron–we just need to get all the gals into it to protect their bones and keep them strong! It’s crazy that 55% of people over 50 have osteoporosis and 80% of those with weakened bones are women! Hence, I’m always advocating a calcium and vitamin D packed diet along with some weight training for the ladies
And, the foam roller is awesome! Kinda tricky and painful, but will help get that soreness out. I need a refresher tutorial on how to use that! I’m a big stretcher, perhaps I’ll bring that back to the routine. Thanks!
Have a good week too!
Corinne
What a great way to start your Turkey Day.
I love and hate that soreness after a workout – it means that it was a good one!
Sadly I don’t lift weights – I am training for a half marathon so most of my workout time is running – after January though I need to get into a variety of workouts!
Way to go! Good for you! That’s okay–you’re doing more than most
And, just an FYI–those who run have stronger bones compared to those who don’t lift weights or run! So, you’re still keeping dem bones healthy! Thanks for stopping by! And, good luck training! You go girl! 
Corinne
Wow, I’m super impressed. I couldn’t even get up to run the Turkey Trot!
I was just reading another blog about being sore, and loving it. I’m the opposite, while it makes me feel like a got a good workout, I still like to go by my sweat and overall mental feel. I am a baby and I complain when I’m sore, and Nick doesn’t like it! That being said, I’ve been pushing myself a lot lately, like you said, and I feel like I’m really accomplishing a lot in my workouts lately.
Congrats to YOU for your amazing accomplishment!
Thanks! Keep up the good workouts! I do agree–ultimately, it’s all about how your workouts make you feel
I’m in my 4th week of a 4-week boot camp class which meets 3 nights a week. I am SORE today after last night! I think ballet squats make me the most sore — right in my inner thighs. I love being sore there, that’s my juicy spot I call it! Congrats on your boot camp…especially on T-day! I agree, keeping things from becoming boring is soooooooo important!! Great work and great post!
Great work to you! You’ve full on committed to bootcamp! WAY TO GO! Have a good week and enjoy your classes! xxCorinne
Wow, that workout sounds awesome! I love great workouts like that when you just feel sore for days. I haven’t ran outside in a long time and ended up doing 5 miles the other week. I was surprised at how sore my body was.
I would love to find a class like that in Vegas!
Hope you had a great thanksgiving!
Isn’t crazy how sore you can get from just switching up your routine?!? Happy to hear you liked the post and hopefully you can find a bootcamp!
Sounds like an intense workout! I love the group dynamic of this, and the fact that it was outside. I wish I could find some outdoor group classes like this near me! I agree about making working out something you love. If you consider it a hobby, rather than a chore, it’s easier to stick to.
Agreed! Hope you find a good bootcamp–hopefully, you can with some intense searching online!
that looks like so much fun! i’ve always wanted to do one of those “real” outdoor bootcamps. What company did it??? have you ever gone to a cross-fit workout? another of my fitness to-dos! have you tried the helix yet??
Your comments always make me smile! The company I did this through is Ultimate Bootcamp–it’s hyperlinked above, so just give it a click
I haven’t done that workout, sounds good though! Next week I plan on hitting up the helix! Thanks to you!
I wish there was a bootcamp around me! This was an inspiring post thanks!
As for activities that make me sore, I’ve been playing flag football a bit and have been ridiculously sore afterwards! My body wasn’t used to all the stops & starts and using my arms to block people!
Thanks for the comment and glad to hear it hit a spark
What a great workout! I have to admit, I am a cardio junkie, and hate strength training. I know it’s important though. Thanks for the reminder
So glad to find your blog. Thanks for stopping by mine! Your Thanksgiving boot camp loooks like quite the killer! I look forward to reading more!
Thanks! I actually have another bootcamp tomorrow! Should be a good time
Great great post Grapes!! I would love to try some Bootcamp type class…I’d be sore for years!! I don’t do any weights or anything…no motivation and just can’t get into it. Hmmm, what doesn’t leave me sore?! Haha – usually if I try running too many days in a row or go long…or any yoga posture requiring a squat haha!!
Weight training makes me super sore, hands down. I love it, though, it helps keep me in running shape during the off season.