Do your legs hurt after walking?

Question

So, my legs (calve area I guess) hurt when I walk for more then 10-15 minutes. They ache. I haven't walked AT ALL during Summer, so could that be the problem?
I've also been eating a lot of junk food and not drinking enough water.

...I'm 20 years old (so i don't think it is something to do with age)
If I start eating healthier and only drinking water (and lots of it) will my mucsles feel better?

Also, I have been wearing Flip Flops since May. So, I haven't worn running shoes for about 5 months.

Answer 1

If you haven't walked a distance for a while, your best to start off stretching well before starting (5-10 min) and start walking at a slow pace. Stop again before you decide to walk faster and do some more stretching before stepping up the pace.
Be sure to breathe steadily and always be hydrated. Start off with short distances and after a week or so carry on a bit further. If you are short of breath or your calves ache then cut back and try again (more stretches if you ache).
Always wear proper shoes (runners). Flip flops will only cause more problems and your feet, ankles and calves will hate you for it.

Answer 2

I have a few questions: Do you have the proper shoes and are they in good condition? Do you stretch before you walk? Make sure you do so you can prepare your legs for the workout. A warmup is a good idea as well. I would take at least five minutes to stretch my legs then walk slowly for a few minutes before speeding up. I remember walking with a friend who was a walking warrior. She was in great shape. I tried to keep up with her, but my legs were killing me. Make sure you are not over doing it either. You don't have to be in a rush. Start out doing what you can and then work your way up to a more vigorous workout. Drinking plenty of water and eating healthy will help out a lot too. Just make sure you get plenty of rest afterwards. Most people forget that part. Keep up the good work!

Answer 3

Now, the thing here is how you tame your muscles. You had not been walking for the whole summer, and you had not been eating right. This kind of treatment will definitely reduce the capacity of your leg muscles. This causes too much strain and stress in your muscles, even if your just walking 10-15 minutes.

Now, I can't give the best solution, but I can give some solutions.
- Well, you said the first, eat right, drink right.
- Next, WALK! Walking can help you flex your muscles a bit. But remember, just start with walking. You can't go for running if your muscles are not that flexed. Walk for about 20 minutes.
- Go for stretching. Of course, you have to give focus also to all of your body muscles, so go for head-to-toe muscle stretching exercises.
- Lastly, enjoy what you are doing. You can't just walk if your not happy.

Answer 4

Drink more water, for sure, 8-10 glasses a day. Caffeine in Coke, tea, coffee acts as a diuretic--makes you pee--so if you are going to exercise, lay off the sodas until later. I've found that stretching, even a little bit, helps. You can sit on your butt on the floor and open your legs and bend toward your toes on one foot and and do a few bounces toward that foot, then to the middle and then to the other foot. Stand up, open your legs and lift your arms into the air and stretch, then bend over to one side and stretch down as far as you can, go to the center and stretch, go the the other side and stretch some more. That should do it. There's other ways to stretch your legs, too.

Answer 5

Your potassium sounds like it is low. Eat more foods with potassium, drink a lot of water and stretch before you work out. You may want to walk in 5 minute intervals with two minutes in between to rest. Heat on your muscles afterwards will make you feel much better. Good Luck

Answer 6

Your flip flops may very well be the problem. It's actually hard to believe how bad they are for your legs. One big reason is that they have no form of arch support and your feet get really messed up because of that. Also, 75% of foot injuries during the summer are because of flip flops.

Answer 7

I'm no doctor so I can only rely on experience. Those factors you mentioned could be a part of the problem, but also, you could have a pinched nerve in your spine..this could cause leg problems. My advice, and probably the most you'll get on here is...go see a doctor. good luck!

Answer 8

your muscles aer'nt used to being used,that's why they are aching,same as excersize,if your muscles hurt afterwards it's b'cause you've used muscles not used for a long time,each time it gets bettter though,try walking a little more each day,just do it gradually though,you don't want to overdo it! In the meantime,try eating less junk food.

Answer 9

YES! IF YOU ARE DEHYDRATED YOUR MUSCLES CAN'T WORK LIKE THEY NEED TO. ALSO YOUR ELECTROLYTES ARE DEPLETED WHEN YOUR NOT DRINKING ENOUGH. THIS INCLUDES POTASSIUM WHICH MAKES YOUR LEGS CRAMP MORE THAN USUAL. DRINK MORE WATER AND EAT BANANAS AND PROBABLY A MULTI-VITAMIN. ALSO THE MORE YOU WALK THE LESS THEY SHOULD HURT. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

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