How do you avoid day-after stiffness & pain?

[thumper]

Now that I'm preparing for the Old Age Security payments, I'm having a heck of a time the day after hunting. Just from climbing over barbed wire fences all day I'm stiff the next day, but if I've had to crawl around on my hands and knees skinning an animal, or sledding dead critters back to the truck and then heaving them in - I can barely get out of the truck when I'm home. The following day or even 2, even getting up and walking around I'm bent over and seized up. By day 3, I'm a little more flexible and by day 4 back to just the usual aches and pains.

Are there any tricks to minimizing this? (aside from dying young) I try to drink plenty of fluids while hunting - maybe I should drink more? Any specific dietary items to eat/drink prior to heading out hunting that might help? Any items to take right after the exertion that will minimize this? I used to stuff my pockets with Mandarin oranges to eat during the day because they're cool, refreshing and give me a boost, but maybe citrus stiffens the muscles & joints? Tips ???

[35 whelen]

Start a workout plan before the hunting season and eat better

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[CaberTosser]

Stretching. Those muscles are probably sore because they're under-utilized. And I mean stretching all the time, not just near the events that you exert yourself.

I was just doing some work for a client who is over 60, he had hand-bombed a hole 8 or 9 feet deep, 8' long and 8' wide to expose a sewer line we had to tie into at his Mother-in-Law's. Then he backfilled it when I was done. Apparently he goes to pilates classes. I was impressed that a rather wealthy guy would go to such lengths.

[kodiakken]

Or get use to it! Life definitely changes as you get older.

[pikergolf]

I walk an hour a day, it has made a world of difference in my life. I have bad hips, my Dr. told me I was to young for surgery (60), but told me the longer I used my legs the better off I would be. So between the walking and a dose of the Mary Jane at bedtime, it's liveable.

[jcrayford]

Some good advice here. I'm slightly younger (52) and still active in volleyball, but I find that if I'm really sore (other than my gout) I can usually get the stiffness out the next day by a flat walk and a couple of Aleve.

However, take that with a grain of salt because of the potential of interaction with any medications you may be already consuming.

[Flatlandliver]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

I walk an hour a day, it has made a world of difference in my life. I have bad hips, my Dr. told me I was to young for surgery (60), but told me the longer I used my legs the better off I would be. So between the walking and a dose of the Mary Jane at bedtime, it's liveable.

Get a new doctor brother, that’s bs. Get an mri and see what’s up in there. The walking is great regardless but the “too young for surgery” bit is old news.

[204ruger]

Originally Posted by CaberTosser

Stretching. Those muscles are probably sore because they're under-utilized. And I mean stretching all the time, not just near the events that you exert yourself.

I was just doing some work for a client who is over 60, he had hand-bombed a hole 8 or 9 feet deep, 8' long and 8' wide to expose a sewer line we had to tie into at his Mother-in-Law's. Then he backfilled it when I was done. Apparently he goes to pilates classes. I was impressed that a rather wealthy guy would go to such lengths.

Agree 100%
Stretch, stretch and stretch some more. Stretch those muscles before and after even with minimal physical activity or fitness stretching helps huge and lots of water
I am by no means a physically fit human although I walk quite a bit during hunting season and stretching and water helps me wake up not all tightened up from the activities the day before.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

Start a workout plan before the hunting season and eat better

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Aging is aging but you can do it graceful as in excercise, work out, eat right and really hydrate well....

Long cool down with stretching...

[JB_AOL]

Simple, Stay active.. I see it all around me.. Those that stay active have less issues when older, and typically have a better life.

But make it enjoyable. Don't go to the gym. Find something you like doing.. Even as simple as walking. If that bores you, download some podcasts and learn something as you walk.

I do the simple stuff (running, walking, etc) around my community when time is limited, so I can do the fun stuff in the summer (mtb'ing, hiking, paddling, etc.).

[WhiteTailAB]

Originally Posted by huntinstuff

I wear one of those red polyester Adidas jogging suits with the white stripes along the legs.

That coupled with two large gold chains really sets me apart from the others....very Eastern Bloc chique

Ah the squatting Slav.... lol


Stretch for sure, foam roller, and one thing I am about to try is "liquid IV" an electrolyte supplement that gives 1 bottle of water the same hydration properties as 3 bottles.

Also I recently bought some inversion boots to hang from my pull up bar. I felt a slipped disc coming and 2 hangs fixed that right away. Well worth the money.

[3blade]

Prevention: Fitness, stretching, yoga, there’s a program called “foundation training” that I’m doing, $20/month for online access - made a world of difference for my back.

During the hunt: Gatorade, especially when you are sweating buckets while dealing with an animal.

After: high bioavailable protein (whey shake or bone broth) for muscle repair, Epsom salts bath, A535, sauna if you can - but you have to do both the hot and cold part to get the most benefit.

DO NOT do heavy stretching immediately prior to activity, you can damage muscles when they are cold, stretch ligaments/push joints beyond normal range of motion which increases injury risk during exertion. Warm up and maybe a few light stretches.

[The Cook]

Cannabis infused chocolate 2 hours before bedtime washed down with double dark rum & coke. Uninterrupted 7 to 8 hour sleep and wake up feeling almost brand new.