Painful cramps for days after any kind of strength excercise

SkinnyMarni3
SkinnyMarni3 Posts: 73 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello,

I read on here about the importance of weight lifting for weight loss and building muscle; so I really want to do it regularly.
I have once done a few lunges (I think I had done 30 in total on each leg) with weights, it was hard but I really pushed myself, but then my muscles started to block and be very painful any time i would apply any pressure on my leg. I was in pain for 4 to 5 days... It was very painful to walk up stairs, sit down, or even just walk....
I have then done the 30 day shred with weights; I could do it for 8 minutes only (my fitness level is very bad) then I had cramps for 3 days or so.
I have now tried the 30 day shred without any weights for 15 minutes this time, 2 days later and i have horrible cramps (they are always thigh and butt cramps) and I probably have to wait 2 more days before I can consider more exercise :/
It's very annoying! I'm worried I'm going to be disgusted if every time i do squats etc I have to be in pain for the next 3 to 5 days...

Is it normal that I am in so much pain? Is it a good thing or am I doing something wrong? Will it get better?
I can do cardio (elliptical bike) for an hour without much pain at all, but strength training seems impossibleee...

Replies

  • EricaFaythe
    EricaFaythe Posts: 37 Member
    If you are not in pain during the exercise, it sounds like this is just normal lactic acid buildup and the discomfort that comes with training muscles that aren't used to it. I recommend you continue training different muscle groups, stretch after you're done every single time, and don't wait until you're back at square one to weight train again. Let those muscles rest about 4 days and then do it again. Since you're not in super good shape (yet!), focus on doing everything correctly and building up to a 30 minute sustained level of strength training, at least.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    It sounds like it could be normal DOMS, believe it or not :) It can really hurt! There are lots of threads with more info on DOMS. It does get much better as you continue to advance. The very beginning can be pretty awful, but it won't last long if you keep it up!

    I do take more rest days at first than I take later because mine's so intense at the start. I try to make sure I do the same exercise within a week, though, or there is no progression and you are back to square one! That's the worst. Good luck!
  • SkinnyMarni3
    SkinnyMarni3 Posts: 73 Member
    Thank you both very much for your answers, gave another shot to the 30DS yesterday and actually finished it for the 1st time!
    The pain is very manageable today, as I only have butt cramps, and, surprisingly, chest/pectorals cramps. I can actually do it again today when I get back home :) Awesome
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    Cramps aren't the same as soreness (DOMS). If you are getting true cramps, that can be from a mineral imbalance in your diet. Looking at your food log, it seems like you eat practically no veggies. They're an important source of minerals + vitamins, so i would start eating lots more of them.
  • KCharron20
    KCharron20 Posts: 105
    In addition to stretching before and after working out you might want to look into foam rolling. Try looking it up on You-Tube. When you work out you are stretching and releasing muscles which have a tendency to create knots in your muscles. If you have some that are not working themselves out they can be causing you pain as well. I found I was having a lot of pain doing lunges and squats and my trainer showed me how to "roll out" and it made a tremendous difference. It is painfully to roll out the knots, but it's well worth it! PS: If you look into it, you'll see that they make special foam rollers for rolling out. Try going to Home Depot or Lowe's and get some random pieces of white PVC pipe. A 6" piece about 2' long works really well for rolling out calves, thighs, IT Bands (which were my problem area) etc. Good Luck!
  • SkinnyMarni3
    SkinnyMarni3 Posts: 73 Member
    Cramps aren't the same as soreness (DOMS). If you are getting true cramps, that can be from a mineral imbalance in your diet. Looking at your food log, it seems like you eat practically no veggies. They're an important source of minerals + vitamins, so i would start eating lots more of them.

    I try but I just forget... Not that I dislike veggies... I should really eat more of them
  • MisterDerpington
    MisterDerpington Posts: 604 Member
    Electrolytes! It's what plants crave!!!

    But seriously, water, veggies, and protein. Also, try a sports drink maybe.

Categories