It's a new year and I'm sure lots of folks have made resolutions to up their exercise routines. With this comes a lot of sore muscles from starting a new exercise program. Try these tips to soothe sore muscles and to help keep up that drive for a stronger, more fit body!

Icing your muscles will help reduce inflammation and will soothe acute soreness in certain areas. If you notice soreness after a workout, put some ice on it right away, within an hour for the best results. Place about a cup of ice into a ziplock bag (I find freezer bags are the best for the job). Take two ACE bandages and wrap one around the area that you're planning on icing. This will protect your skin from immediate contact with the ice and still permeate through to the muscle beneath. Place the bag of ice on top of the bandaged area and then use the second bandage to hold the ice in place. Leave the ice in place for about 20 minutes and then remove it for 40 minutes. Be sure to place the bag of ice in the freezer in between treatments. You may want to repeat the process a few times for the best effect.

Post-work out soreness can also be aided by taking anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen or Naproxin. It's best to take these medicines in advance or directly after a work out. It's sort of beating the pain to the punch, and really helps keep you motivated for the next workout. Make sure not to depend on pain meds, however. You should only do this for about the first week of the start of a new regimen. Be certain to give your body a rest between work-outs too. Your body will need time to heal, so working out every other day to start is highly recommended.

Another good way to relax those tight, sore muscles after a work out is simple enough...take a nice, hot bath. A soak in the tub after icing your muscles with help them to loosen up and plus it just plain feels good. Use a bit of Epsom salts in the tub to further the muscle relief, and a few drops of essential oils in the tub never hurt anyone. Be good to your body and it will be good to you, and good luck with those New Years resolutions!