I started the 12 week challenge last Wednesday and did the leg day Thursday. I've gone to do my 2nd leg day today and I'm struggling due to a sharp pain on both side of my outer thigh (approx 15 cm above my knee). This isn't generic soreness, this is a sharp pain. I now struggle to walk up stiars, lift myself off the toilet seat without this sharp pain - what is it? Please help? Not sure if I should rest or what?

I'm female, 36, average fitness, I've done other exercise programs so this isn't generic soreness

Could this be an IT band issue?

Sounds like either a muscle or tendon issue near your knee. Sharp pain is never good. This means you have torn something. Dull aches are more indicative of mild injuries. You need to stop all leg workouts until this resolves. If you continue on, not only will the pain get worse but also your injury will repair with more scar tissue than normal and will be a chronic injury that will be easy to re-aggravate.

You need RICE. Tendons and ligaments heal slower than soft tissue like muscle as there is not as much blood supply. It is key to get the inflammation down with "R" and "I" - Rest and Ice - as your primary task. The "C" and "E" - Compression and Elevation - are less cirtical right now. It is also important that you keep the area flexible by walking/stretching when the pain has subsided to some degree. If you don't do this, the area will heal stiff and will be easy to tear again.

John

Follow the RICE method like John suggested, and if you don't see any or much improvement see a professional about it to get it looked at. Hopefully it won't keep you out of action for too long!