Please help!

julianpoutram

I'm having a bit of difficulty with my leg an feet muscles. They have always been prone to cramping but they have been really awful since I started gym regularly which I've been doing for about 4 months now. I'm getting really frustrated by the fact that I'm fit enough that I can carry on with exercise way past the point where my actual muscles will allow. I will get to a point in my workout (usually 40 - 50 mins in to cardio) where my calf and toes will cramp excruciatingly painfully if I go on further.

Earlier this week I was near the end of my work out at the gym and I had the MOST painful muscle spasm in my leg EVER! in the middle of the gym! I almost screamed from the pain. Why is this happening to me?! It's just ridiculous and so frustrating! Does anyone know why this is happening? Any suggestions to help stop this??!

julianpoutram

bump?

demorelli

Are you getting enough salt, potassium, etc, to keep up with how much you are sweating in your workouts? Maybe try replacing part of the water you drink before and during your workouts to a sports drink. I would recommend powerade because gatorade has an overbalance of sodium compared to the other electrolytes.

1brokegal44

Make sure you're well hydrated--before, during and after working out. And eating a banana before may help.

Freemyskinny

I have been workin' out for about 5weeks and haven't got a cramp and I figured I would because I was out of shape. I believe its partly because I drink nothin' but water all day.. I would eat fruit more if I wasn't allergic. so, water water water. sorry about the cramps.

akarney

I've gotten that in my leg/foot before and it's always been because I haven't been drinking water - hydrate hydrate hydrate!

mockchoc

So sorry to hear you are having them. I've been getting them in my toes when I point them since I was a child but they did stop when I was drinking lots of water and eating right so do listen to the advice others gave and see what happens. Best of luck.

julianpoutram

I do sweat alot but I don't think I'm dehydrated! Maybe because I'm so tall I should be drinking more than I think I should. I will give it a go drinking more water and try and get some powerade if I can for when I'm at the gym. Thanks for all the advice so far, if anyone has any other helpful suggestions I'm all ears!

Thanks

samuraidoctor

If you're worried about the calories, you can get Nuun hydration tablets. Also, check your logs to see how much salt you're getting per day. They limit it to 2500 mg, which is generally good, but if your hair is wet at the end of your work-out, along with your clothes, you probably need a little more.

I have found that if I am getting night cramps (my version of this same thing), they will mysteriously go away after eating Asian food. I also "mysteriously" gain a pound or two that goes away over the next several days thanks to the salt and extra water retention.