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Hey guys. I could use some input from some of you dawgtalkers who workout. I went to lift this evening, and I felt good after, so I decided to go for a little jog on the treadmill. I was going fine at my usual settings for about 3 minutes. Then all of the sudden my calf went into a ball. Fortunately I was able to stop the treadmill and not get hurt that way. Is there anything you guys do to treat/prevent cramps. Just curious, I dont usually do cardio after lifting, but it seems like everytime I try this happens. Thanks for the input. 
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Probably due to lack of sodium or potassium in the diet. Try drinking a sports drink a little before you decide to run. Might help out.
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Eat it Phil...
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Drink Gatorade, or lots of water.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong ![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/small-gator-chomp.gif)
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First hint of a cramp is lack of water, or nutrients. Sports drinks are crap. Drink water,...think about why God invented it, instead of "Gatorade." Find out what foods give you the nutrients,....like brussel sprouts.
Then carry on,... and keep lifting !!! Next to swimming, it's the absolute best thing you can do for your body.
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Some good advice so far...
Drink water and a sports drink.
Eat bananas (potassium) and pickles are pretty good for cramping as well (really the pickle juice).
Also after you do your warm up you can stretch it out. If it's just a cramp you should have been able to stretch it out and then get back into your jog.
I'm hoping that you didn't start off too fast. That's a sure way to get a cramp. You really want to start of easily and warm up into your run. Even if you've been lifting for awhile you need to warm up your running muscles... ESPECIALLY if you lifted your legs! If you lift your legs then just hop into a hard run I can almost guarentee you that you are going to cramp.
<><
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What they said... nordawg
The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.
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Did you stretch...and warm up...?
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Quote:
Did you stretch...and warm up...?
If you want to be techinical you want to warm up first then stretch... it's actually not healthy to 'cold' stretch.
<><
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I did deads...tonight was back. I think thats what sparked it. I figured I'd get the running done before I got tired. Didn't do my customary 5-7 minutes of gradually increasing speed/incline. I did eat a couple of bananas and am slamming the H2O.
I stretched before I lifted, but I didnt warm up my legs. I didn't know that about stretching cold...thanks!
I sweat a ton when I lift, I was probably dehydrated a little. I usually keep cardio/weights separate, but was feeling especially ambitious tonight.
It's loosened up now...hopefully its better in the morning so I can get my run in.
"I don't remember any of my catches. I remember the drops." - Kellen Winslow II
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I think you were fine being ambitious, just probably need the electrolytes.
Sounds like you did a good job of warming up first...
and again, sometimes you just cramp haha... if you do you can always stop... stretch... back it off a bit and try to start back up with your run. Your body will tell you if it's a smart idea or not.
<><
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Quote:
you want to warm up first then stretch... it's actually not healthy to 'cold' stretch.
How do you recommend doing that...?
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Yea, I didn't think being ambitious was a bad thing  I underate quite a bit today too, while drinking more water than normal. I might have been flushed of electrolytes...now that I think of it. Hard to tell at this point. Either way, I'm gonna get to the store and pick up some powerade and some more bananas lol I'm just tryin to ramp the cardio up some, and get rid of this last 25-30lbs! Thanks for the input guys!
"I don't remember any of my catches. I remember the drops." - Kellen Winslow II
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Quote:
Quote:
you want to warm up first then stretch... it's actually not healthy to 'cold' stretch.
How do you recommend doing that...?
Depends on what your doing for exercise... if you're doing aerobic exercise it's better to do like 5 min or so easy and then stretch and then get back into your run or swim or whatever. The research has shown that it's better to stretch warm muscles than cold muscles.
When I was on the cross team in college we'd run at least a mile or two before we'd stretch. Not saying you need to do that... but at least warm your body up a bit first.
<><
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Will try that...
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No prob man... and if you want ot lose the weight really watch what you're eating and drinking to. There are hidden calories out there that you might not realize you're taking in. Especially if you're a drinker And if your body has sugar in its blood stream it can't burn fat until it burns that sugar first.
<><
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5 minutes of light cardio before stretching will lube the joints and not take away from the workout.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.
- John Muir
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I have a bad back..from being buried in a ditch...I take a hot shower in the am ...then stretch......
What other way would you warm up lower back muscles ?
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Quote:
I have a bad back..from being buried in a ditch...I take a hot shower in the am ...then stretch......
What other way would you warm up lower back muscles ?
That's actually a tough call... and really you sound like you do it a fairly smart way. You can also use a hot pack or heating pad... but know that you are using external heat which doesn't heat your muscles up as well as internal heating from exercise.
In terms of the lower back though there's no specific aerobic exericse that will warm up your lower back. Are you doing anything for exercise? or is the stertching just to get through your day and keep your back stretched out for the day? If you are doing some walking or other type of exercise you can always do the shower, maybe 5 minutes of walking after you get dressed then stretch.
But I usually tell my clients that if it's working then don't mess with it Every exercise prescription I've ever given is tailored for the individual.
<><
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Yea, I'm not much of a drinker so thats fortunate. About the most I'll do is 1-2 maybe one night a week. 6-7 at a party about once a month sometimes less. I try to watch what I eat for the most part, lots of lean meats and greens, whole grain pastas, potatoes, salads. I just have to watch my portions...its not a matter of what I eat as it is how much I eat. I dont drink any juices, just a diet soda now and again. I kinda have an idea of what I'm doing but not really 
"I don't remember any of my catches. I remember the drops." - Kellen Winslow II
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yeah... my problem now is I know what I'm suppose to be doing but don't always do it... I exercise regularly but that whole eating right thing I haven't grasped yet! And just FYI... I'm sure you know but those pastas and potatos have a ton of calories Fruits, veggies, certain nuts, and legumes are the way to go to lose weight... I really hate to say it but vegatarians have the right diet to lose weight. If you want to go nuts though... but yea, if you watch your portions you should be good. Sounds like you're on your way.
<><
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Quote:
Are you doing anything for exercise?
I also had other major injuries with being buried in the ditch....Hips...Knees...ect..ect......I try not to work out with to much weight...when I bulk up...It puts pressure on my body...and it causes more problems...I tend to use light weight....
My main source of exercise is a brutal job  ...and the elipitical trainer...
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from all the surgeries I would probably suggest the eliptical or swimming/water aerobics.
<><
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Those are my favs...Thanks Jay..
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Yea, I usually keep the grains to a minimum after my workout. Or after 6 or so on off days. Going to bed with a belly full of carbs isnt wise!
I've done some reading about it. I'm particuarly fond of Lyle McDonald. He's no bs...has some crash diet stuff I dont agree with, but he even says he knows people do it so they should be informed.
"I don't remember any of my catches. I remember the drops." - Kellen Winslow II
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I thought your favorite was 12 oz. curls
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT... except when I am wrong.
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Quote:
Eat bananas (potassium) and pickles are pretty good for cramping as well (really the pickle juice).
Before football practice in the summer 2 a-Days we'd eat bananas & drink a mixture of pickle juice and gatoraid, not the greatest tasting drink ya ever will have but we never cramped up...
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Quote:
I thought your favorite was 12 oz. curls
24 oz..... 
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j/c
Stay away from Gatorade because it has too much sugar. You want to try Smart Water because it has the electrolytes your body needs.
Also, start eating more bananas because they are very high in potassium. The cramps you feel in your legs are due to a low potassium level.
Make sure you get enough water as someone else said. Dehydrating and then trying to run before you have replaced the nutrients can cause severe cramping.
jmo
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Thanks guys! I've been drinkin my water and eating my bananas lol. I got a potassium supplement too. I'm really not big on supplements at all (I think nature provides us with what we need mostly), but I'm not big on cramps either  I'm headin to the gym now, I'll let you know how it goes!
"I don't remember any of my catches. I remember the drops." - Kellen Winslow II
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"I don't remember any of my catches. I remember the drops." - Kellen Winslow II
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H20 or Gatorade are good. Quote:
Eat bananas (potassium)[/quote
Yes, but did you know, that cantaloupe has almost twice as much potassium as a banana.
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I hate cantalopes... that's why I stick with naners
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Just remember with many supplements, especially those in pill form (ex. vitamins), to take with food, or with some food in your stomach. They need to be taken down with something organic to be digested and absorbed to maximize their effect.
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I love cantaloupe...but i cant eat it quick enough. Bananas are just as good and convenient.
"I don't remember any of my catches. I remember the drops." - Kellen Winslow II
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Drink a lot of water before, during, and after you work out. If you cramp up, you are probably a little dry or your electrolytes are off, so Gatorade or another sports drink will do as well.
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Pretty funny.
I expected to be the only one to give you the advice on bananas.
I used to wake up from cramps at 4am after really long swim workouts. I was told to eat bananas to keep my potassium levels up and never had another cramp.
EAT BANANAS!
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Try "Smart Water". It is bottled water with electrolytes.
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Yeah, thats alot of what happened i think. I sweat ALOT. I've been drinking a ton of water...I havent cramped up since. I think i'm gonna be OK Thanks all!
"I don't remember any of my catches. I remember the drops." - Kellen Winslow II
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Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Cramp in my leg
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