[dropcap]W[/dropcap]orking out hard in order to lose weight or stay fit is always recommended by the weight loss experts, provided your body supports it well. Sometimes opting for the heavy workout in order to lose weight faster may come up with adverse health effects if not supported with proper diet and stretches.
Those who are planning to indulge into rigorous workout may first consider the side-effects associated with the same. While there are chances of incurring mild to severe side-effects due to ignorance, one may try to maintain the healthy workout routine powered with proper diet, rest, and stretches to nullify them.
One of the most common and immediate side-effects of heavy workout that is experienced by the weight loss aspirants is experiencing severe muscle cramps. These cramps tend to make the muscles stiff and would turn out to be the major obstacle for smooth workout routine.
We have brought forward some common reasons and remedies for muscle cramps post rigorous workout session with a view that this information would reduce the pain and increase the gain amongst the weight watchers.
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What causes muscle cramps?
Rigorous workout usually gives way to anaerobic reaction in the muscles. It is one of the most probable causes for muscle cramps. The reason for muscle cramps may be anything from wrong sleeping posture to overexertion of muscles. Typically the muscle cramps due to overexertion are experienced in calf muscles as they become hard and painful. The general theory that explains the causes of muscle cramps goes like this –
- Rigorous workout makes you sweat hard to lose water and electrolytes. Nerve impulses are conducted by the electrolytes and sudden drop in the electrolyte levels would affect the muscle functioning.
- Heading to the workout directly without proper warmup would exert sudden stress on the muscles that may be experienced as muscle cramps.
- It also happens when the muscles are contracted either forcibly or involuntarily. The muscles won’t relax easily and that would get converted into painful condition.
- Exercising hard without adequate resting intervals is considered to be one of the major reasons for muscle stiffness.
- Other reasons include inadequate protein intake, lack of vital nutrients, and dehydration.
Muscle cramps are experienced because of any of the above mentioned reasons. Just as there are many reasons for experiencing muscle cramps, there are several ways to stop it as well.
Remedies for muscle cramps
Muscle cramps are usually temporary but may hinder your workout routine if not treated in time. In order to enjoy uninterrupted workout routine, it is important to follow the below given remedial measures.
- Always start your workout session with proper warmup and stretches. No need to be in hurry as your muscles need to be warmed up and stretched well before they undergo involuntary contractions.
- Rest after each set of exercise as muscles need time to get back to their original form before they are further worked up!
- Replenish the water and electrolytes when you are sweating it out hard. Keep water handy and take small sips if possible to keep your body hydrated all the time.
- Nutrition rich diet has always played a key role in preventing major health problems. In case of muscle cramps post workout, it is advisable to take more protein in diet. Protein is the building block of the body. It also helps in muscle formation and repairs.
- Stretching is the best way to bring back the contracted muscles to its original form. Don’t avoid stretching post workout as it is quite important part of your workout regime.
Don’t let your workout suffer due to muscle cramps. Train yourself slowly with proper rest and diet to attain your goal without undue cramping of muscles.
Carol is a health and weight management experts. She has been contributing articles occasionally to HCG Drops Shop, the online source for procuring authentic HCG drops. This article talks about homeopathic HCG drops and their application in weight loss.
