Soothing Sore Muscles

1. Soak in a nice hot bath with epsom salts. Make sure that your can lean back and completely relax your head and neck.

2. Using a warming rub like Tiger Balm is often helpful- make sure that you keep your body warm and remember not to over-exert yourself- remember that just because your muscles feel better doesn't mean they'll feel that way when the effects of the rub wear off!

3. If you've got access to a hot tub or a sauna, head there and do some very gentle stretching and self-massage.

4. Book an appointment with your favorite massage therapist- hot stone massage and aromatherapy are both great for relaxing tight muscles and soothing soreness.

5. Give yourself a break- if you've been really pushing yourself for a week or two, give yourself a day off just to relax and recuperate. It's not being lazy, it's giving your muscles a chance to finish repairing themselves before your next big workout!

Keeping Motivated....

The motivation and accountability that having a personal trainer provides is invaluable for many people. Not only do you have company along your journey, but there is somebody there to guide you and cheer you on as you work towards a common goal. You should not, however, rely upon your personal trainer to keep you going. Bring your own motivation to the table, and you'll both be amazed at how much more quickly your goals are met.



Having trouble with motivation:

Talk to your trainer about your frustrations and listen to what they have to say
Set short-term goals for yourself
Reward yourself for your achievements
Focus on what you've accomplished, not what you're still struggling with
Write yourself a positive daily affirmation and tape it to your mirror. Whenever you see the note, say your affirmation out loud.