Working up a sweat in the weight room: Hot. Hobbling around for two days afterward: Not hot. Sore muscles can turn your sexy sashay into a zombie shuffle, not something you want to explain each time you limp past a coworker's cubicle. Before you reach for vitamin I (ibuprofen) or Bengay, consider these natural remedies for overworked muscles:

Get Physical: Take a stroll. Go for a short swim. Do some gentle stretches. This is called Active Recovery, and can help your muscles move the damaging lactic acid out of your body more quickly to speed recovery. But, don’t push it, Warrior Princess. Intense or strenuous activity could make matters worse.

Chill Out: Fight the temptation to sink into a hot bath as heat increases circulation and consequently, swelling. If an icy dunk is out of the question, apply cold packs (like these from Ice Wraps) to the sore area to reduce blood flow and inflammation. To get a little pampering in, draw a lukewarm tub with Epsom Salts (like these delicious-smelling organic French Lavendar Bath Salts from EO), proven to draw toxins from the body, reduce swelling and relax muscles.

Rub Down: If you don’t have the dough for a professional rub down, try self-massage with a natural body oil like Badger Sore Muscle Therapy that contains inflammation-reducing cayenne pepper. Or reach for some electronic lovin’. (It might be as close as your nightstand drawer.) The Life Fitness Premium Pulsating Back Massager delivers relief to one of your harder-to-reach parts (we’re talking about your back). Or, for a non-battery powered option, try the Hana Leg Roller - it’s a hit in Japan.

In a day or two, we bet you’ll go from Frankenstein to feelin’ fine. And, remember, prevention is the best medicine. KEY: Drink plenty of water before and after your workout to keep your muscles happy.