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    Cramps - what is your solution?

    Posts: 40 Member
    edited November 2024 in Getting Started
    I am just getting back on my cut diet (lean proteins, green veggies, brown rice). Since returning to this diet on 1/2/18 and hitting the gym after only going 6 times in December I have been getting wicked cramps (mostly calves) when running but also in my hip flexers when I tried rowing.

    I do cardio after my 45 min workout. I stretch and I drink about a gallon of water daily. I was using C4 pre-workout but have ditched that as I thought that might be the issue but I'm still cramping up.

    I am also drinking (ACV, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, honey, water) in the morning.

    These cramps are really cramping my style (-:

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    Replies

    • Posts: 35,719 Member
      have you cut too much sodium out of your diet?
    • Posts: 1,899 Member
      Get sodium in your diet balanced out with potassium. If you are sweating or peeing it all out it needs to be replaced. You are out of balance lacking these minerals.
      Google it and fix it!
    • Posts: 28,439 Member
      Sodium and magnesium.
    • Posts: 28,439 Member
      jasondwightpowell wrote: »
      I am just getting back on my cut diet (lean proteins, green veggies, brown rice). Since returning to this diet on 1/2/18 and hitting the gym after only going 6 times in December I have been getting wicked cramps (mostly calves) when running but also in my hip flexers when I tried rowing.

      I do cardio after my 45 min workout. I stretch and I drink about a gallon of water daily. I was using C4 pre-workout but have ditched that as I thought that might be the issue but I'm still cramping up.

      I am also drinking (ACV, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, honey, water) in the morning.

      These cramps are really cramping my style (-:

      Oh, and this is total woo. Unless you actually like it, it isn't doing anything for you.
    • Posts: 25 Member
      Are you taking any diuretics? These can flush potassium and magnesium from the muscle.
    • Posts: 5,727 Member
      Gregory_Horton wrote: »
      Are you taking any diuretics? These can flush potassium and magnesium from the muscle.

      Yes, he's drinking over a gallon of water a day.

      As above. Electrolytes(salts-Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium) are your issue.
    • Posts: 40 Member
      Thanks everyone - I'm going to incorporate Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium supplements back into my diet to balance everything out.

      And might eliminate this because it tastes like crap lol - I heard it helped with digestion but if that is bunk I will stop drinking it every morning...

      (I am also drinking (ACV, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, honey, water) in the morning).
    • Posts: 117 Member
      Arnica is really great as well, from my own experience.
    • Posts: 35,719 Member
      jasondwightpowell wrote: »
      Thanks everyone - I'm going to incorporate Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium supplements back into my diet to balance everything out.

      And might eliminate this because it tastes like crap lol - I heard it helped with digestion but if that is bunk I will stop drinking it every morning...

      (I am also drinking (ACV, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, honey, water) in the morning).

      or just drink as much water as you need and eat a balanced diet
    • Posts: 5,864 Member
      _lora wrote: »
      Arnica is really great as well, from my own experience.

      Great for wasting your money. just like the ACV it's woo
    • Posts: 1,004 Member
      RuNaRoUnDaFiEld wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      Great for wasting your money. just like the ACV it's woo

      Arnica is great after a heavy leg session.
      Guess it all depends on who’s massaging
      Into your legs lol
    • Posts: 3 Member
      May need potassium. When I complained of leg cramps (calves and feet), my doctor advised making sure I had enough potassium.
    • Posts: 4,838 Member
      You probably don't need to buy a lot of special electrolyte supplements. The gallon of plain water per day is likely your biggest problem, as you seem to be overhydrating. Just drink when you're thirsty. If you're sweating a lot at the gym, have a sports drink with electrolytes instead of plain water. Eat a banana for extra potassium.
    • Posts: 6,474 Member
      whiskey?
    • Posts: 25,455 Member
      Gatorade
    • Unknown
      Unknown
      This content has been removed.
    • Posts: 40 Member
      KANGOOJUMPS wrote: »
      whiskey?

      This is likely my problem - I cut it out of my diet!

    • Posts: 41,865 Member
      I had cramping issues when I first started and it was a result of cutting back too much on sodium. I started to have issues again about a year ago and my trainer recommended that I take a magnesium supplement...seemed to do the trick.
    • Posts: 40 Member
      Ran 2 miles outside yesterday at 29 degrees and no cramping.

      I added Zinc, Magnesium, Potassium and because I'm old AF - I am taking Centrum Silver.
    This discussion has been closed.

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