Just over a year ago, my eldest started seeing an exercise physiologist to build strength and support his low muscle tone. (I know… his mum’s a physio, but kids don’t listen to their mums, right?!)
He woke up the morning after one of his first sessions, convinced something was seriously wrong.
“Everything hurts,” he said.
He couldn’t walk down the stairs without tears welling up. He shuffled around like the tin man, knees locked, assuming he might never bend them again.
Classic DOMS. (Delayed onset muscle soreness – the kind you get when you go too hard, too fast, or start something new.)
And yep… silly me forgot to warn him.
Of course, that soreness doesn’t happen as often now that he’s stronger and more conditioned, but those early days left a mark. He’s still hesitant sometimes, just remembering how much it hurt.
Have you ever had that experience?
You get motivated, dive into a new class or routine with the best intentions… and then you’re too sore to move for three days.
This is the “too hard, too fast” trap. And it’s one of the most common self-sabotage behaviours I see in women.
It’s understandable to want to do it “right” or make up for lost time. But when a single workout wipes you out for days, the consequences are two-fold:
- You lose momentum. Because you physically can’t back it up the next day – or the day after (day 2 is always the worst).
- Your barrier to re-entry grows. If the last time you exercised was super intense and left you sore and stiff for days, it’s no wonder your brain wants to avoid going back.