to think that four days after going to the gym for the first time

[tittybangbang]

..... my thighs are in screaming agony to the point that they woke me up last night, and I had to take 2 ibuprofen to get back to sleep?

All I bloody did was 35 minutes on the treadmill/stepper/bike/rower (35 minutes in all, not each!) and some squats with light weights.

Jaysus - my thighs are EXCRUCIATING.

Can I have done myself any permanent damage do you think?

YOu need to do some cardio now. I know it sounds counter-intuitive but whenever I have worked my muscles one day, I always try and do cardio the next because it helps get rid of some of the lactic acid build up which causes that pain.

Thankyou Bogey. I'll give that a go.

Wondering if the lactic acid build up in my thigh muscles has been so bad because the circulation around the tops of my legs is impeded by fat and cellulite (I'm a size 14/16 on bottom with really bloody chunky thighs).

Good brisk walk needed today and some gentle strething.
should be better tomorrow

Doubtful that you have done any permanent damage.

Recommend taking a brisk walk and then have a long stretching session. The trick when starting to train again is stretching. Spend time doing it before you exercise. At least 10 mins after you have finished. Do some more stretches before you go to bed and a few mins the next morning. Sounds like a pain, but it will really cut down on the soreness. Promise!

yes to a hot bath and gentle stretching (google thigh stretch) it will kill at first but will relieve it

I remember feeling such pain after going to my first ever spinning class! It was hideous, I had to come down the stairs backwards on my hands and feet with my legs straight! Took a week to get back to normal but the times after were never so bad.

"I had to come down the stairs backwards on my hands and feet with my legs straight!"

I went to a 'speed step' class.

ONCE

i couldnt walk for a week after my first spinning class, ouch!!! i quite like the permanent dull constant ache i have these days
plenty of stretching and you'll soon be back to normal