Leg cramps at night

I started working about a month ago. Which means I started working out during lunch. I do the eliptical for 30 minutes and work on my arms with the weight machines for 20 minutes. I do this 5 days a week. I take all my vitamins and get in all my protein and water. Would anybody know why I have been have leg cramps at night. I only get them in the middle of the night when I am sleep. But I have been getting them every night for about a week and a few nights a week before then. they are getting worse All input is welcome. BTW I drink about 40 oz of coffee a day Thanks in advance 

Oh man those hurt.  Probably your electrolytes are off - water doesn't replace what you lose in sweat.  You might want to try some watered down gatorade, or smar****er, or unsweetened pedialyte.  Its generally either potassium or magnesium.  Magnesium pills are very cheap and a lot of people with leg cramps regularly will solve it by adding 250mg of magnesium.  If your calcium has magnesium though, that might be enough (but for like 4 bucks a bottle you might want to try some extra).  For potassium good food sources are avocados (good source of fiber and healthy fats too), sweet potato, yogurt, some beans, bananas and prunes, and cooked spinach.  (There are many more also).  As far as supplements the potassium supplement recommended for bariatric patients is that really nasty liquid available by prescription only. If you are drinking 40oz of coffee each day that probably has a little to do with it too.  I'd add an extra 40oz to your daily water to counteract it personally (on top of your 64oz). 

Also, warm up before you go hard on the elliptical - 10 minutes slow on the treadmill works for me as a warm-up, then stretch, then do you workout.  It might help.  Good work with the exercise!  I wish I could go that long on the elliptical, but it kills me.

Thank you so much for the advise. I will look into the magnesium and potassium. This is so painful that it wakes me up out of my sleep. I started out on the eliptical for about 5 minutes and worked myself up to the 30 I do now. I would curse it everyday at first. Now it is just part of my daily routine. It doesn't get rid of  all the loose skin but it does help make my butt and thighs look better.  Keep adding a minute every week it will get better   

I used to get them on a few different diuretics for blood pressure - it took about 4 different pills before I found one where I didn't wake up with cramps in the middle of the night.  And they freaking hurt!  SOOOO MUCH!  And really strong ones would leave me sore for at least a day.  So I definitely understand how you feel and hope you find a solution quickly.

Hey Tricie!   No advice, I just wanted to tell you how good you looked!! 

Hey girl Thanks for the compliment. How are you doing? I am trying to make up my mind as to whether or not I want to come to MD for my birthday or do I want MD to come to IL. If I come it will be around MAy 4th. I will let you know.

ITA with Dunny's advice about the electrolytes. I have not tried them pill form, other than the potassium I take to balance my Lasix, but if I don't have my daily Gatorade, I get awful cramps at night. I just tried the new G2 (lower cal Gatorade) and it works too for the cramps. Now to find a flavor I like. I'm old skool and like my Gatorade in Lemon/Lime, not these fancy schmantzy berry flavors.

Jen/Dunnyboctor gave you the same advice I was thinking about, so nothing to add there.  But I wanted to give you an 'atta girl on the new exercise routine and just say hi!  I had problems w/ cramps when I first started working out, but it's gotten better over time as I eat a banana every day and I stretch more often.  I'm sure this will get better for you as well!   Kellie

I'm not a dr. Nor do I play one on TV.. But I do know that potassium plays a major role with regards to leg cramps.. Try adding a banana to your diet to see if that help..