I do this when I am home. Right now, haven't seen fresh fruit in a couple weeks.

I think that if it were a hydration or nutrition issue, it wouldn't happen every time you run. Unless you are just chronically underhydrated and underfed

Neither under hydrated or under fed, thus the need to run...lol. I'm about 30 pounds over ideal weight, all of it in my gut.

Not that anybody cares, but the lower half of my body is very fit and toned. My wife says my legs are sexy. It just so happens they cramp a lot.

This is what the High School Coaches keep on hand.

Carrying around 30lbs extra while running is not easy (Buddy of mine is 185 and an Ironman, he says that extra weight he carries hurts, we are the same height and build). IMO running is the fastest way to shed the pounds and make the doctor happy (lab results will show up better). You don't have to be fast this time of the year, your going to sweat regaurdless. It's not a race. It will take 6 months of conditioning to get the results and pain threshold you are looking for.

How old are you? I run with people who are age 70ish. They aren't fast, just steady as a work horse.

What is your average pace this time of the year?

I'm 52. Year and a half ago I was up to 255 lbs (I'm 5'10") and my blood pressure was 240/190 when I took myself to the emergency room from work. I thought I was about to have a heart attack. The next day a nurse told me to not worry about a heart attack because a stroke would have got me first. That scared me to death. Right now I'm 225 lbs and blood pressure is controlled with medicine. I would like to get to 200lbs.

So I joined the gym at work and have focused on stretching and core strength training. In the initial assessment I couldn't do 5 push-ups. Yesterday I did 5 sets of 15 and could have done another couple of sets. Anyway, my point is that I'm physically strong, good flexibility, just no cardiovascular strength. So to answer your question about my pace, I have no idea. I can't run more than a few minutes before I have to stop with cramps.

I usually walk at a fast pace for 45 minutes but the truth is it doesn't make me tired. I think my body is strong enough to walk, just not run.

Interesting article. I walk around with a 32 ounce yeti rambler full of ice water, drink maybe 5 or 6 a day. I wonder if I need to stop drinking so much straight water and mix in some electrolyte powders once or twice a day? I've heard you can deplete electrolytes if you drink too much water.

Getting calf cramps 1-2 minutes into a run has nothing to do with electrolyte imbalances. If you are 30-40 minutes into a run, then that is a different story. Multiple reports also indicate that static stretching before a workout is counterproductive, which applies to strength training and running. However, a thorough session of static stretching after a run will do wonders.

Have you tried a dynamic warm up like walking - started slowly and ramping up to your running pace?

Running may not be the best option, as 04champ mentioned - there are better ways to increase your cardio.

I know if I drink too much water right before a run it will hurt my stomach. I limit my water intake a couple hours before my run. Sloshing belly hurts.

I would try this.

A Sports Therapist would most likely help you pinpoint the weakness. I bet you could find one that would give you some tips via email....ask around your gym. Usually they have someone on hand that could answer questions better than the TFF Oters.

My buddy I spoke about that is 185 is 5'10" too. As am I....but don't look at my weight...I am a freak of nature.

http://www.active.com/running/articles/8-ways-to-keep-muscle-cramps-away

This article is good too, got busy and wasn't able to post it until now.

Swimming is great cardio if your good at the strokes. It doesn't shed the pounds like some people like, but it's very easy on the body. My dad swims 5 days week since he has some injuries from the past that prevent him from doing much else. Along with Weight Watchers he is shedding a little slowly. He is in his 60's.

Rowing is pretty cool....I don't have access to a rower, but if you push yourself I imagine you get a full body workout. My old geology teacher was a rock climber and Grand Canyon River Rafting Guide....he rowed year round among other things...he was rock solid at 50+ years old.

HIIT - good deal for people who like to workout inside. My wife does these a lot weekly. She been shedding pounds with it. She doesn't like to run and outside is "meh" to her. Personally inside workouts are boring to me and is my last option. I have a indoor trainer for my road bike.....but oh so boring....I'd rather cruise the streets and feel the wind. I don't fish much anymore and my exercise is my time to enjoy nature.

Everyone has their likes and dislikes, important thing is to find what you love and stick with it....otherwise you won't get up and Get Er Dun when you need too.

I am like Forrest Gump.....I don't know why I run, walking is too slow for me I have more of the world to see running, and I just keep on going. I find that running releases stress much faster than booze, womin, or drugs of any flavor. Runners High is pretty AWESOME!

She found out running changed her life. You don't have to be breaking world records to benefit the body!