I do a fair amount of exercise to keep in shape. 

But then I can walk up just a few stairs and good lord my legs hurt!  How can that hurt when I can ‘run’ (yes running may be an exaggeration) on a treadmill and be OK?

If you have legs that feel tired, achy, crampy or that super annoying restlessness at night, you are not alone.  These can make you feel lethargic, stiff and impact your drive to get moving and keep moving. It can also impact your sleep.

It all comes down to muscle tension.  Your muscles bunch and then just don’t let go or relax. This leads to stiffness, aches and pains.  Leave them like that, and long term, it may lead to headaches, migraines, bad posture, back ache and more.  

These symptoms occur more often in women, with a higher risk factor as we get older.  Sometimes it’s inherited or it's just driven by our days, for example if you are standing or sitting for long periods of time. 

Other common causes include dehydration, so keep the water up and the coffee and wine down (as much as humanly possible), or not enough stretching and exercise.  I for one am much better on gym days.  

Other causes can be nutrition deficiencies or hormones.  Or more seriously Varicose veins, Diabetes or Thyroid problems.

Tips for some of the things you can do to help alleviate some of your achy leg symptoms are:

1. Drink more water. Dehydration can lead to lactic acid build up in your body and inflammation. Treating chronic dehydration can help ease pain and other inflammation symptoms.  
2. More Magnesium.This is why we put Magnesium in our Reboot formula. It helps with muscle recovery overnight.  And I know that I can’t sleep without magnesium as my legs feel restless without it.  Other great sources are spinach, cocoa (let’s just call that dark chocolate), almonds, bananas, avocado and cashews.  Or as we all know an Epsom Salts bath is always a joy to ease tight muscles.
3. Oestrogen. As we mature, a decrease in oestrogen production can contribute to inflammation, aches and pain. The Chasteberry in Show Up helps balance hormones.
4. Exercise.This will keep muscle tone, support blood circulation and get your lymph system pumping. Get those steps in, a daily walk will help both your head and body.
5. Be kind to your body. Stretching and massage improves blood flow. Yoga or pilates techniques are a great place to start. If you can try to incorporate yoga into every day. 

Of course, if symptoms continue please see your medical professional.