TheraPearl

Star of the upcoming fitness DVD, Daily Sweat Pregnancy Program; Expecting More, and Reebok Master Trainer, Sara Haley Presents Her Top Tips for Relaxing Sore Muscles:

#1 Try to make time each day to stretch.  Ease into your stretches – hold for a few counts – deepen with each exhale of breath and repeat.  Try to hit up all major joints and muscles that most people find tight – shoulders, spine, hips & hamstrings.

#2 Hydrate!  Drink Water!  Water increases your circulation and comfort in muscles.  I like to drink flavored water so I opt for something like HINT which has no preservatives and is calorie free.

#3 Follow a diet that includes plenty of protein.  Protein helps to rebuild muscles after injury or overwork.

#4 Know the difference between muscle soreness and muscle injury so you can treat accordingly, I like to alternate between hot and cold for optimum relief.

#5 Make sure to cool down after a hard workout!  The best way to cool down is to follow your workout with a walk or light jog.  I also suggest using a cold pack to place on muscles, I love TheraPearl’s Sports Pack because it molds to my muscles and stays cold for only 20 minutes so you don’t overexpose your muscles.

#6 Following your workout and cool down it’s a good idea to warm your muscles back up. Again I use my TheraPearl Sports Pack, easily convertible from cold to hot in the microwave.

#7 Always treat yourself to a day off from your workout regimen, you deserve it!  I usually have a nice relaxing day or treat myself to a massage.

Be sure to check out sarafitness.com for more information.