Ice'n Up - What Do You Do?

[Seedtree]

In my old age, cramping has started to be a problem.  Esp. in the lower back and quad (leg) areas.  What do you do to combat this? 

Heading in to the shanty is a temp fix.  But hoping for ideas.

[Lobes]

I'd recommend several young sex partners (in their twenties or so). You'll still have the cramping problem but it won't occupy your mind quite so badly!

                                              8)

[fshnfool]

although Lobes idea sounds very good      stretching would be the best thing to combat the cramping in the lower back and thighs.....especially toe touches......not sure if you still fish or jig, but being mobile on the ice would really help too....walk around from hole to hole...stay moving...just my .02

[mcully]

Try sport drinks or at least lots of water. Stretching always good and see your doctor and ask about it. My father took medication for leg cramps. And I can tell when I didn't drink enough during the day by flying out of bed with knotted legs. Partners are good for many things too.

[BlueDuck]

Whats camping got to do with it?   I can get cramps at home in bed. 

[1TIGGER]

In my old age, cramping has started to be a problem.  Esp. in the lower back and quad (leg) areas.  What do you do to combat this? 

Heading in to the shanty is a temp fix.  But hoping for ideas.

Do you or what type of cleats do you wear ?
I have found that some types of cleats will do this to me too .
Use the lowest profile cleat you can find and still be functional also don't slide or drag your feet that will also cause cramps or mussel aches .

[hali-man]

Try sport drinks or at least lots of water.

Gatorade does it for me. Cramping is usually caused by dehydration, and the electrolytes it contains go straight to the source.
Just pound one of those before you start drinking beer!
 8)

[PIKEGUY]

Are you talking about cramping or just a general tightness in the muscles?
If you are actually cramping then yes, I would say sports drinks should help.
But if it's just muscle tightness from being in the cold and standing still / bending, I would say there's nothing you can do except stretch and stay loose. Maybe try one of those Thermacare body heat things too.

[walleyechaser]

I usually stretch by putting one leg on a countertop keeping it straight while standing with the other leg.  
I got a whole series of stretches I do.  Works great for my lower back problems.   Or get yourself an exercise ball there is a ton of stuff you can do on that to strengthen your lower back.

[The Ny]

What do I do?  Take midol...   Seriously, when I was pregnant I was plagued with leg and back cramps and from what I learned and was told, it could have to do with a drop in your potassium levels, which the quickest remedy is to eat at least one banana a day...or take potassium, but that can take weeks to establish in your system.  Staying hydrated too, as others have said.

[1TIGGER]

I usually stretch by putting one leg on a countertop keeping it straight while standing with the other leg.  
I got a whole series of stretches I do.  Works great for my lower back problems.   Or get yourself an exercise ball there is a ton of stuff you can do on that to strengthen your lower back.

I'm getting too old for the leg on the countertop thing ! I would end up with a concussion or kicking the countertop loose trying to get my leg up that high ... Billy Jack I'm not . lol

[walleyechaser]

start out small and keep going higher as it gets easier.  Trust me you'll feel great. 
I feel like I'm 17 and I'm 30 with almost 3 kids.

[1TIGGER]

start out small and keep going higher as it gets easier.  Trust me you'll feel great. 
I feel like I'm 17 and I'm 30 with almost 3 kids.

Oh I could do it ...bottom line is ever since I got out of the Army I've gotten lazy !
When I was younger I used to  box in the Army and could do just about anything I wanted to as far as stretching and exercise but now 41 and three boy's later < youngest being 16 > I feel like I'm 80 sometimes .

[walleyechaser]

I better keep going then.  Cuz come may I'll have 3 boys.  I was in Ikido for 10 years so I'm still trying to keep myself in shape from that.

[Buck1985]

I'd say go with the gatorade/powerade and eat a couple banannas a day. That's what we do when we bear/bobcat/coyote hunt and know you're going to be walking for a while. I also did this when I played football.

[pike-perch01]

i have to do stretches first thing in a.m.especially before i load sled and pack basket into the truck.it also helps especially if i am using the hand auger.the cramps you are getting may be from some medicine you are taking.i eat two bananas a day.the potassium helps.

[Big E]

I suffer from a bad lower back and sciatic so I can sympathize.  

Couple things I've found that helps out for the cramps, pains, etc:  Make sure you are taking supplements...Ester C, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium, and a good B complex.  

A good seat is also paramount.  Something high that allows your legs not to be bent any more than needed and also something with back support.  I've found that those foldup camp chairs are good...not the normal four leg ones but the three leg ones.

Also as people have stated...get up and move around...keep moving.

I also hop in the jacuzzi as soon as I get home not only to warm up but to help me from stiffening up later on.    

[ice dawg]

I'm 63 and I find that after about a pint of schnaps I don't notice any cramps or care. I like the one about the leg on the countertop though. My arthritis is so bad that I have a heck of a time getting my socks on. How about a shoe box instead of a countertop??? 

[tinboat]

In my old age, cramping has started to be a problem.  Esp. in the lower back and quad (leg) areas.  What do you do to combat this? 

Heading in to the shanty is a temp fix.  But hoping for ideas.

If you are 'suddenly' more active than you have been, it could just be that you're out of shape, and using muscles you havn't used much in a while; need to walk more; if you are getting on the ice more, you'll find that the exercise it elf will help you out

[Lobes]

What do I do?  Take midol...   Seriously, when I was pregnant I was plagued with leg and back cramps and from what I learned and was told, it could have to do with a drop in your potassium levels, which the quickest remedy is to eat at least one banana a day...or take potassium, but that can take weeks to establish in your system.  Staying hydrated too, as others have said.

Midol??
I would be most worried about sprouting pink fins (as it apears you have)!

 

[The Ny]

Midol??
I would be most worried about sprouting pink fins (as it apears you have)!

 

Umm, it was intended to be a joke...but all they are is caffeine and acetaminophen...it's not like birth control...

[Vt Piker]

Here's one I discovered when two buckets didn't want to come apart. Sit on two buckets! That little extra height made a huge difference. It is now standard practice for me.

[esox13]

Be careful of the sports drinks - they contain more sodium than you can possibly use up. Back in the day I was a college wrestler and our team physician taught us the negatives of products like Gatorade.

Eat bananas for cramping. In addition, there is a water made by Glaseau called Smart Water (no - I'm not the rep) - it is a rehydration beverage enhanced with electrolytes (magnesium, potassium and calcium).

Other than that I agree with the other folks - get up and move and continue to do light stretching - not to strenuous because your muscles are cold and you don't want to pull something.