New to walking sore uncomfortable calfs

[DISNEYALI]

I am on the Slimming World journey and have currently lost 3 stone. I have taken up walking and over the past 4/5 weeks have increased my walking to a mile and a half twice a week on my days off and upping my steps on my work days where I am on my feet all day, used to being on my feet all day.
A week or two now I have woken in the night with sore and uncomfortable calf muscles I do have a tendency for tendonitis in my right leg and do wear the appropriate support when necessary.
Can any seasoned Walkers /runners offer any advice to stop this happening or how to treat it it's to the point where it's waking me from my sleep.
It's not a pain more like a dull ache.
Tia.

[TheHughesCrew]

Well done on your weight loss! And what a great way to help it, by upping your activity. I would maybe change your footwear? Make sure you are wearing good fitting shoes that support your feet (especially the contours and arches). And would use a warmed wheaty bag, or similar, to help ease the sore muscles at bed time x x x

[Talland 2016]

I think it might help if you make sure you do some leg stretches when you are starting and finishing your walk
I find that's what I need to do. One stretch I find good is standing on the bottom stair & shuffling back so toes are on stair & heels are dropped down below stair level
Hard to describe but if you search online there are loads of pictures of leg stretches

[Loopylooloo]

Make sure your footwear has support (not flat) and congratulations on your amazing weight loss!

[Guest]

I would change your footwear and do some warm up/cool down exercises before walking. My calves got painful when I started running and it was because I wasn’t warming up and cooling down properly.

[Mexy02]

Good supportive shoes and definitely leg stretches. Well done on your weight loss, I’ve just joined

[THE WIZARD]

Good stretching exercises before & after your walks are essential. Well done on your weight loss.

[sam_b]

If it persists, it might be worth getting a bio mechanical analysis - most podiatrists will offer this for about £70. This will look at your gait and also weight distribution on each foot etc. You may find that insoles will correct any issues identified.

[pinkcandy]

Hi

I get really uncomfortable calves too ( I run a lot ) and the best thing I ever bought was a foam roller and when I get back from a run I just use it for a few minutes after stretching and it really helps get rid of the pain. I just bought mine off Amazon.

As another Dibber mentioned stretching before and after really helps too. Have a look on YouTube for some warm up and cool down ideas.

Also make sure you have a really good pair of trainers. Go and have a look at running ones they don’t have to be expensive just good support. I swear by Asics.

Good luck and hope you find a solution x

[Mr Tom Morrow]

I agree on footwear. When we walk a lot at home I get a dull ache in my calves

Out here now and averaging 8 miles a day in decent trainers and no problems at all.

I think the problem at home is I wear normal Clarks slip on shoes that look fine but aren't that brilliant for 5+ miles maybe.

Good weight loss OP. Wish I could do that.