Leg Cramps (kinda long)

jcfischer · 06-20-2010, 11:46 AM

Hey guys,
I've been on plan for almost 9 weeks now and have just this past week started experiencing some leg cramps. I have drunk Powerade Zero from day 1, and upped the amount to at least 20 oz/day (sometimes more) for about a week and 1/2 now. I had some toe/foot cramp issues at the beginning, but now it's been calf cramps...OUCH!!! My right one has been sore for 2 days from a muscle cramp 3 nights ago! I have been spending time at the pool...I'm not a swimmer, but I do walk/run around and play with my 5 year old in the pool...could that be contributing?

Last week my counselor did advise me to eat closer to 600 g of protein (I tended to stay under 550) b/c I lost less fat than usual. I did not tell her about the cramping because it hadn't really happened at that time.

Any suggestions or ideas for me? I did a search here and found some of you have experienced this, but improved with the Powerade...any other suggestions?
I am going for my weigh in tomorrow, so I can talk to my counselor then, too!
Thanks so much!

SonoRoo · 06-20-2010, 12:09 PM

Oh man, do I know this. I swam for about 1.5 hrs yesterday and had to get out of the pool when my calves started cramping. Not the posterior muscle, but actually the lateral muscles on the outside of both calves. Excrutiating anf did not feel better till I got out of the pool and walked around for a bit. I hope you get an answer jcfischer because I would definitely like to know!!

jcfischer · 06-20-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonoRoo

Oh man, do I know this. I swam for about 1.5 hrs yesterday and had to get out of the pool when my calves started cramping. Not the posterior muscle, but actually the lateral muscles on the outside of both calves. Excrutiating anf did not feel better till I got out of the pool and walked around for a bit. I hope you get an answer jcfischer because I would definitely like to know!!

Sorry you're feeling my pain! I will keep you posted on anything I find out tomorrow.

Desert-Rose7 · 06-20-2010, 02:15 PM

Are either of you doing any stretching exercises before getting in the pool or any other kind of exercise? As well as stretching out after the particular exercise. This is very helpful and aids the muscles as they recover from the exercise. Just a thought.

Jo

SonoRoo · 06-20-2010, 03:00 PM

No, I haven't been stretching out before getting in the pool, but I definitely will now.

BarbDe · 06-20-2010, 03:14 PM

How about potassium supplements??

Actually, calcium, magnesium and potassium supplements is what has worked for me.

SonoRoo · 06-20-2010, 03:52 PM

I drink the CL with electrolytes as well as Powerade Zero and I use Morton Salt Lite which contains potassium. It appears jcfischer is doing the same.

lins · 06-20-2010, 04:14 PM

I ran on the Wii fit the other day because it was raining. I usually run outside. I did 3 back to back sessions of the 8 minute run. I usually run a total of 30 minutes so I thought the 24 minutes would be fine. Well the next 3 days I was in so much pain in my calfs. I totally used different muscles that I had used during a normal outdoor run. Anytime I would sit down for more than about 10 minutes and get up again they would hurt really bad again. It was awful.

I hope you find a solution to your legs cramps. They can be very painful. And I do recommend stretching as well.

jcfischer · 06-21-2010, 12:44 PM

Ok guys, so I had my visit today and she said to have at least 20 oz of Powerade Zero (absolutely no more than 32 oz) and to make sure I'm stretching...so you guys know what you're talking about!! :-)

I also have to make sure I'm taking in enough protein and fueling any extra exercise I'm getting...I just didn't think I was exercising "enough", but apparently i still need a little extra calorie boost. My loss was less than stellar this week...little fat loss last week and none this week, so I've gotta up my game this week and try to figure out what's going on!!

Thanks for the empathy and suggestions guys...you were right on!

Mary T8M · 06-22-2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbDe

How about potassium supplements??

Actually, calcium, magnesium and potassium supplements is what has worked for me.

I was having leg cramps at night even drinking the powerade zero. I added another calcium pill (am now up to 3 a day.....1 each with meals) but continued to have some cramps, so I have also added 2 magnesium and 1 potassium suppliment a day. Again I take with my meals.....no more leg cramps

Shibbz · 06-24-2010, 05:12 AM

Hey guys!

I used to get these cramps when I was sleeping, you have no idea how scared you get when you wake up in the middle of the night with this kind of cramp! I thought someone has stabbed me in the back of my calf or something!
The ONLY thing you can do to stop this pain is stretch regularly. This pain is your calves way of telling you ' your using me too much now, and not stretching me out to give me a break' so what you feel is a knot forming in the muscle. I usually stretch after every workout and before I go to bed. When it's happening I find the quickest way to get rid of the pain is to straighten your foot as much as you can into a kind of stretch for the back of your calve, although painful if you hold it there it will stop hurting within 30 seconds

goodluck to you all!

eptexy · 06-24-2010, 10:22 AM

I've been cramping in my calves when I run. I also cramp at night when I'm dehydrated - i.e. drink 2 glasses of wine and no water. This is such a helpful thread!

06-20-2010, 11:46 AM	#1
jcfischer Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NC Posts: 37 Gallery: jcfischer Stats: 217/165/130 WOE: Medi Start Date: April 2010	Leg Cramps (kinda long) Hey guys, I've been on plan for almost 9 weeks now and have just this past week started experiencing some leg cramps. I have drunk Powerade Zero from day 1, and upped the amount to at least 20 oz/day (sometimes more) for about a week and 1/2 now. I had some toe/foot cramp issues at the beginning, but now it's been calf cramps...OUCH!!! My right one has been sore for 2 days from a muscle cramp 3 nights ago! I have been spending time at the pool...I'm not a swimmer, but I do walk/run around and play with my 5 year old in the pool...could that be contributing? Last week my counselor did advise me to eat closer to 600 g of protein (I tended to stay under 550) b/c I lost less fat than usual. I did not tell her about the cramping because it hadn't really happened at that time. Any suggestions or ideas for me? I did a search here and found some of you have experienced this, but improved with the Powerade...any other suggestions? I am going for my weigh in tomorrow, so I can talk to my counselor then, too! Thanks so much! __________________ Week 1:-10.2, Week 2:-3, Week 3: -2, Week 4: -1.8, Week 5: -4.8, Week 6: Beach!!, Week 7: -4.8, Week 8: -3, Week 9: -1.4, Week 10: -3, Week 11: -2, Week 12: -2, Week 13: -3...uh oh, been too long and lost track but doing great and still losing!!

06-20-2010, 03:14 PM	#6
BarbDe Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SE Florida Posts: 6,816 Gallery: BarbDe Stats: Quit smoking 11/4/07; 16/10/10 on 11/30/12 WOE: Low carb/Paleo/& Crossfit! Start Date: August 2004	How about potassium supplements?? Actually, calcium, magnesium and potassium supplements is what has worked for me. Last edited by BarbDe; 06-20-2010 at 03:16 PM..

06-20-2010, 04:14 PM	#8
lins Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 606 Gallery: lins WOE: Medi-weightloss Start Date: April 6th 2012	I ran on the Wii fit the other day because it was raining. I usually run outside. I did 3 back to back sessions of the 8 minute run. I usually run a total of 30 minutes so I thought the 24 minutes would be fine. Well the next 3 days I was in so much pain in my calfs. I totally used different muscles that I had used during a normal outdoor run. Anytime I would sit down for more than about 10 minutes and get up again they would hurt really bad again. It was awful. I hope you find a solution to your legs cramps. They can be very painful. And I do recommend stretching as well. __________________ Lins Starting weight 181lbs. Week 1: 176lbs ( lost -5lbs)

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06-20-2010, 12:09 PM	#2
SonoRoo Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 190 Gallery: SonoRoo Stats: 5'1" ~ 187.6/162/115 WOE: Medi Weightloss Start Date: May 20, 2010	Oh man, do I know this. I swam for about 1.5 hrs yesterday and had to get out of the pool when my calves started cramping. Not the posterior muscle, but actually the lateral muscles on the outside of both calves. Excrutiating anf did not feel better till I got out of the pool and walked around for a bit. I hope you get an answer jcfischer because I would definitely like to know!!

06-20-2010, 02:15 PM	#4
Desert-Rose7 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,479 Gallery: Desert-Rose7 Stats: 5'11"/262/150/150 WOE: MediWeightLoss Start Date: 12/19/08 in Wellness since 09/03/2009	Are either of you doing any stretching exercises before getting in the pool or any other kind of exercise? As well as stretching out after the particular exercise. This is very helpful and aids the muscles as they recover from the exercise. Just a thought. Jo

06-20-2010, 03:00 PM	#5
SonoRoo Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 190 Gallery: SonoRoo Stats: 5'1" ~ 187.6/162/115 WOE: Medi Weightloss Start Date: May 20, 2010	No, I haven't been stretching out before getting in the pool, but I definitely will now.

06-20-2010, 03:52 PM	#7
SonoRoo Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 190 Gallery: SonoRoo Stats: 5'1" ~ 187.6/162/115 WOE: Medi Weightloss Start Date: May 20, 2010	I drink the CL with electrolytes as well as Powerade Zero and I use Morton Salt Lite which contains potassium. It appears jcfischer is doing the same.

06-21-2010, 12:44 PM	#9
jcfischer Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NC Posts: 37 Gallery: jcfischer Stats: 217/165/130 WOE: Medi Start Date: April 2010	Ok guys, so I had my visit today and she said to have at least 20 oz of Powerade Zero (absolutely no more than 32 oz) and to make sure I'm stretching...so you guys know what you're talking about!! :-) I also have to make sure I'm taking in enough protein and fueling any extra exercise I'm getting...I just didn't think I was exercising "enough", but apparently i still need a little extra calorie boost. My loss was less than stellar this week...little fat loss last week and none this week, so I've gotta up my game this week and try to figure out what's going on!! Thanks for the empathy and suggestions guys...you were right on!

06-24-2010, 05:12 AM	#11
Shibbz Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 9 Gallery: Shibbz Stats: 249/229/140 WOE: Medi Weightloss Start Date: July 2010	Hey guys! I used to get these cramps when I was sleeping, you have no idea how scared you get when you wake up in the middle of the night with this kind of cramp! I thought someone has stabbed me in the back of my calf or something! The ONLY thing you can do to stop this pain is stretch regularly. This pain is your calves way of telling you ' your using me too much now, and not stretching me out to give me a break' so what you feel is a knot forming in the muscle. I usually stretch after every workout and before I go to bed. When it's happening I find the quickest way to get rid of the pain is to straighten your foot as much as you can into a kind of stretch for the back of your calve, although painful if you hold it there it will stop hurting within 30 seconds goodluck to you all!

06-24-2010, 10:22 AM	#12
eptexy Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 664 Gallery: eptexy Stats: 5'4 165/132/125 WOE: Medi Weightloss - Maintenance!!! Start Date: March 2010	I've been cramping in my calves when I run. I also cramp at night when I'm dehydrated - i.e. drink 2 glasses of wine and no water. This is such a helpful thread!