Leg Cramps still???

[Carb Addict]

I am over 2 months into the program - still on an extended induction because I wanted to get to my first mini goal of 185 - which is ONE pound away (WAHOO!!!!) and I am still getting leg cramps in the morning in my calves. This happens atleast 2 or 3 times a week and they hurt. I used to eat alot of bananas and had found that helped but now that bananas are on the BAN list, does anyone have suggestions to get rid of this rather rude wake up call??

[Porcelain]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

Here is a list of high potassium foods. Beet greens are WAY up there. I see no reason why we can't have beet greens.

http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food...sium-foods.htm

[Sherri]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

Hello,
Try taking an extra Potassium supplement. That ought to do the trick.
Sherri

[Carb Addict]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

Thanks for the link- there seems to be alot of foods that we can not eat on the list though- beans, fruit, raisins, apricots, etc. I will probably have to go with a supplement. Are there any side effects of taking too much potassium - ie constipation, etc.??

[Porcelain]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

Well, there is death because a potassium imbalance could cause heart dysrrhythmias but you would have to take a whole lot and that is extreme. When it comes to potassium supplements, it is best to contact your doctor. I am a nurse and I would personally be afraid to take them without seeing the doctor first. I have toyed with the idea because I get some calf cramps too but I just try to eat more spinach and stuff such as that because I am just too scared to take a supplement. I do throw in a bottle of smart water every now and then when I am drinking a lot of water and it has some electrolytes in it.

[Desertthorn]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

Potassium is one of those minerals that should be taken with caution as they can do a lot of damage. But I think you do need it if your still having leg cramps. I would try a good mineral supplement that includes calcium and potassium if I were you and then when they subside, cut back on the amount your taking.

[Diva68]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

Hey, Carb Addict! Your "Rehab" is going great. You're getting closer and closer to that 150 by summer!!! I can't wait to see what 185 feels like. It's been so long. Thanks for stopping by my threads. You are very supportive and your journey keeps me inspired!!!

I used to get awful leg cramps every day and it also started to affect my sleep. I once got one in the middle of the night and got up to try and walk it off--right when my feet touched the floor, I got a cramp in the other calf and the pain was so bad that I fell to my knees--and not by choice. I feel your pain. Use of a heel lift in your shoes and regular stretching will probably help--as instructed by my doctor. I never did the heel lift in my shoes, but the extra stretching made a world of difference. I made sure I stretched my legs and gave my calf muscles a good massage right before bed every night. Doing this right before bed allowed me to sleep much better. I hope this helps you, because like I said--I FEEL YOUR PAIN ---(my calf would throb for hours after the cramp--the smileys are the different stages--LOL).

*To all who have not experienced this problem-(on a regular basis)-BE THANKFUL!!
HAPPY LOSING!!!

[Carb Addict]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

Your words are very kind!! Yup, I am still getting the weekly leg cramp but I am down to once a week. When I was in to heavy duty exercising about a year and a half ago, I ended up getting a heel spur. The pain of that was out of this world and I had a really tough time getting anyone to tell me how to get the pain to go away. My lupus doctor eventually told me to go to New Balance and get some new balance runners. The people in the store were amazing. They watched me walk in bare feet and how I walked and then suggested some appropriate shoes AND these amazing things called super feet. It is like an orthotic and I travel with them everywhere. I am on my feet at all times and have 2 pairs that rotate through my shoe closet. Amazing little inventions!

[SwissMiss]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

I suggest taking extra Magnesium for a few weeks and... now don't laugh... put a piece of soap in your bed underneath the lines where youre legs are. For some strange reasons, sopa in bed prevents leg cramps. A friend gave me this tipp and now my entire family is doing so and ... guess what .. no leg cramps in bed anymore!

[TyCowboy]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

Call me nuts, but another cause of cramping is deyhdration. Yes I know, the mere idea of an Atkineer being dehydrated is unfathomable...but when I go through phases where I feel this way, I know it's always about two hours before I wake up. If I set a first alarm for, say, 3:30a, and take a potassium pill and about 20oz. of water, the cramps go away.

I don't get them often, but sometimes, when I've been bad about the amount of water I'm drinking.

Another thing to consider is that potassium and sodium need to be in balance. I know some people think that salt is the devil, but salt is necessary for the active transport of potassium into the cells. So perhaps your salt intake is too low?

Ty.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Leg Cramps still???

avocados have more potassium than a banana does!

I agree with TyCowboy though. Usually (though not always) my cramps are due to dehydration.