I’ve been having some issues with leg cramps.
- They are typically a problem at night, when I’m hoping to sleep.
The muscles in my calves tighten and seize up. It’s extremely painful. I then need to get up, stretch the muscle and rub an ointment into my calves. I take anti-inflammatories and often sleep with heating pads wrapped around my legs. I’ve researched and figured out that the leg cramps are caused by a combination of things. I definitely don’t drink enough water. I also overwork the muscles. I workout for about an hour every day. The majority of the exercise session is devoted to high impact aerobics. I sometimes jump rope the entire time. I frequently go for six to eight mile runs. I do lots of squats, lunges, burpees, jumping jacks and mountain climbers. All of these activities are strenuous and put a huge strain on the legs. I’ve learned that I need to devote extra time to my warm up, cool down and stretching. I now make a point to stretch at the beginning and the conclusion of the workout and focus heavily on my calves. I’ve researched different stretches that are particularly beneficial. I make sure to drain my water bottle during the workout. Afterward, I refill the water bottle and had a hydration pack that is full of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes. After my shower, I rub a muscle-relaxant ointment in my calves. Before bed, I take two over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory pills. These proactive measures have helped to minimize my concerns with leg cramps. I know that I should rest my legs, but I’m unwilling to skip my workouts.