deep joint ache after exercise

[OneStepMoreFun]

I'm 2st overweight and in my early fifties. Just started a fitness regime after being a real couch potato. I'm loving the running and walking, but get really deep, strong pains in my joints, especially knees and hips.

My ankles and calves just have that nice ache of being exercised and feeling like they'll get stronger. But the knees and hips are really complaining for hours afterwards.

Will these deep pains go as I get fitter? Or are they a sign of age? Is there anything I can do (apart from hot epsom salt baths) to ease them? I don;t want to start taking painkillers every time I exercise.

It could be your feet. Ankle, knee, hip and lower back pain can come from over or under pronation. Getting correctly supportive trainers and seeing a specialist for insoles is a very good idea. In the mean time you may want to do low impact exercise (spin, swimming etc) as joint damage is serious. Also having 1-2 rest days between exercise may be an idea for now to allow joints to recover (slower with age)

I know I overpronate quite badly but thought my trainers compensated for this. Maybe I need insoles too.
Last time i took up running it massively helped with the over pronation as it made my ankles much stronger so they didn't keel out to the sides as much. I hope this happens again.

Along with good trainers you maybe should see a physio for some advice and exercises. I’m not medical but have ignored a number of hip/knee issues leading to needing a physio! E.g. you could look up runner’s knee, ITB syndrome and piriformis syndrome. Lots of the exercises and stretches suggested to me seemed to be to do with strengthening and stretching the glutes (butt muscles!). But obviously your issue could be different, and might be worth getting physio advice now before it gets chronic and much more difficult to shift and much more likely to need to take time off running etc!

Thank you diymania. That's all good advice. I know a couple of physios. I think I'll book an appointment with one.