It is not uncommon to feel sick or even experience flu-like symptoms when beginning or returning to a healthy regimen of diet and exercise like our ZONE 21 Challenge. You are not alone if you have felt under the weather with symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, stomach cramps, headaches and even respiratory congestion, after a week or so of exercising and making healthier eating choices.

When you drastically clean up your eating habits and engage in a regular exercise routine after a time lapse of not doing either, the body may go through a natural detoxing phase. Toxins in the muscles can be released into the blood stream causing you to feel sick similar to virus-like symptoms. Of course if these symptoms are accompanied by fever then it’s best to visit your local doc. More than likely though if you are feeling these symptoms soon after implementing a new exercise and nutrition regimen, it’s no coincidence.
The good news is that there are ways to lessen the degree of these symptoms.

Here are a few ways:
HYDRATE: The human body is about 55% water in adult females with a massive 70% water in muscles! It is vital to the body’s natural detoxification process to stay hydrated, especially when engaging in regular training. This will help eliminate toxins that may be making you feel sick.

FIBER: Eating fresh fruits and vegetables will also help the body’s natural detoxification process.

REST: Making sure to get adequate sleep will help with muscle recovery and decrease the soreness and fatigue that can result from a regular or intense workout session. 8 hours per night is the best but if you are falling short of that, a daily cat nap will do the trick.

GLUTAMINE: L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body making up most of the skeletal muscle. L-Glutamine stores are depleted after vigorous exercise and should be replenished. Supplementing with L-Glutamine will aid in muscle recovery and boost immune system to help decrease muscle soreness and aches.

ARNICA: Arnica Montana has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500’s. Use the topical cream for an effective remedy to soothe muscle aches, strains and inflammation. You can find it at health food stores or a good pharmacy.

EPSOM SALT BATH: Magnesium Sulfate or more commonly known as epsom salt, is absorbed through the skin and draws toxins from the body, promotes muscle relaxation and decreases inflammation. This will help reduce muscle soreness induced by training or minor injuries.

There is no escaping feeling sore from a good workout session at Bondi Vixen but the degree of soreness can be reduced by implementing these suggestions. Help your body recover so you can continue with your training regimen. Whatever you do, unless you are in fact sick, do not stop training all together. It will only happen again!