Calf muscles... one word... OWWWWWWW!!!!

hanwyz
hanwyz Posts: 37 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So, I've been trying to do a small amount of exercise to complement my calorie cutting. Mostly walking/T'ai Chi/very bad negative pull ups, and for the last two days, 30 day shred. Over the last 3 days, but especially today, my calves have been in agony! Like struggling to walk pain. I have fibromyalgia, but this feels more like "done a bad thing" pain than "my head is screwed on backwards" pain... So my questions are:
1) Is this just my body getting used to more vigorous exercise?
2) How do I stop the pain?
3a) Is foam rolling any good?
3b) If so, any suggestions of exercise for them?

And while I'm here, how long does it usually take from not being able to do a single pull up, to being able to do one?

Thanks for everyones help :)

Replies

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    That's odd - walking & Tai Chi doesn't sound very hard on the calves. Maybe it's related to your fibromyalgia. Anyway, try stretching them hourly. Here is how:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkgkmbXz8Mo

    As far as chinups, it depends on body weight, gender, and other factors. In your case, maybe a month or 2?
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    I remember the 30 day shred tearing up my calves also the first few times I did it. You can try a foam roller, it might help, but mostly it will just take time to heal.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    calves are rough- when they are sore- it's brutal.

    When I do specific calf work I'm in pain for a week.

    It goes away- most likely you are fine.
  • vicksg1973
    vicksg1973 Posts: 55
    I recently did a running course. It started in Week One with just a mile run (I say just - it felt like a very long way to me then!). Anyway, by the end of that mile my calves were incredibly painful and spasming so much I couldn't even stretch them during the cool down. This happened every week, until I bought a foam roller. MIRACLE - calf pain virtually gone. So much so that during the final run of the course, I did 5 miles with no problems at all.

    Get yourself a foam roller - they're awesome! But make sure you learn how to use them properly. The term 'roller' is a bit misleading……
  • monalissanne
    monalissanne Posts: 159 Member
    You could have written nothing but 30 day Shred and all the responses would be "nuff said". It's torture. Kudos to the people that have actually finished it. I've attempted twice and never made it past the first week although at the time I was attempting I could easily run 5 miles and do Body Pump with no problem.

    That being said. I second the foam roller idea and other cramping remedies include potassium and (old wive's tale) eating a spoonful of mustard.
  • hanwyz
    hanwyz Posts: 37 Member
    Thanks everyone :) I will give a foam roller a go then - anything to stop this pain :-/

    I am managing better with 30ds this time round than with my last attempt - last time I spent most of the day collapsed on the sofa after it, this time it's pretty quick recovery...

    As for walking not being too bad on calves, well my walking is pretty fast as I've been really pushing myself (aka leaving the house late and having to do a pb to get to the bus without missing it). I've also been wearing converse which are horrible on feet.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    I've also been wearing converse which are horrible on feet.

    You'll probably disagree with this, but Converse are excellent walking shoes (for those who find them comfortable). They have a low heel and flexible sole, which is more ergonomically correct than the raised heel and relatively rigid sole of most "walking shoes". And the calf activation is less with lower heeled shoes.

    I'm surprised the negative chinups didn't leave you as sore as your calves. Those tend to be brutal.
  • sassymanatee
    sassymanatee Posts: 102 Member
    Are they cramping? Recently I was having similar problems when walking. My brother, who's a doctor, suggested I eat a banana daily or every other day. I've been eating them daily and have been feeling no more cramps in my calves. It's much healthier and less dangerous on your heart than taking potassium supplements.

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