Exercise and its importance

[FunnyActressInLA]

I just want to start a thread on how important exercising is and not just cardio but weights, body scultping, yoga, etc. In a recent thread someone had commented how they could fit into a size 12 and I believe they weigh 190-ish, a few posts after there was someone who commented that they were the same weight and a size 16. Now height may play a factor I'm sure but the size 12 person (wanna withhold names here just because I'm not trying to call anyone out but make a point) works out a lot. Cardio, weights and I believe at one point even had a personal trainer (who can help target exercises that work great for different body types) and not only does she work out but she is CONSISTANT in her working out. There is another gal who recently said that people don't believe her when she says she weighs 175 (or there abouts because she looks smaller) and she's another one who works out consistantly. My point being is that Atkins is a great diet for losing weight and gaining health but I truly think its the exercise and not just cardio alone but some form of resistant/weight/body shaping exercise that helps transform our bodies and make us more solid. And that being said working out can make you SMALLER even when the @&($% scale says different. I've decided to make my commitment to exercise as strong as my commitment to this WOE. Just wanted to talk about exercise and the importance of it. I am off my soapbox now! LOL! But does anyone want to add to this?

[Outback Jess]

Re: Exercise and its importance

I've found this to be true for my body too. I've never been below 140lbs on the diet and am 5'3 and have gotten into a size 6 jeans...Everybody says I look to weigh in the 120's, but I don't.
I've been studying fitness and I too agree to link arms with as much fitness as diet...they are pt of the tripod, fitness, diet and suppliments....very key to our success!

[shari_dawn]

Re: Exercise and its importance

what great posts from both of you. I see a lot of newbies and guests who don't think they need to exercise but if they are not exercising I really don't feel they are doing atkins. The DANDR expressly says that exercise is important with this way of eating. Props to both of you. I'm going to start a thread soon about the importance of putting the scale away. So many people are weighing every day and seeing the normal fluxuations and getting discouraged and wanting to quit. I'm working the thread out in my head now but I'd like to link this post to that one. (if you don't mind)

[Outback Jess]

Re: Exercise and its importance

Getting exercise started in your life is just as hard as getting going with induction...I have found alot of people cannot change so much at once...only those really given to exercise make that big jump, the rest of us have to inch into it...alot of us have such weight that we carry that it's really a challenge to get moving and then when we do, it's with pain.
For me, I found exercise first thing in the day, regardless of how intense or how long. I would ride the bike for 20 mins....that's all I could do and I just rotated the pedals!!!! Then I progressed along and things picked up, but it motivated me to hold firm to the diet too.
Making low carb and exercise a lifestyle, takes a while and a ton of juggling, but the rewards are incredible...the health and well being we bring our way is incredible too....
I've found exercise does so much more for me than just help with weight loss, it brightens my mood, allows me to achieve on a daily basis and is downright fun at this point...with that, I am off to the gym!

[WorkinMyWayToHealthy]

Re: Exercise and its importance

I'm a first thing in the morning exerciser too. Get it over with so I don't have to stress about it all day.

That said, I've never had a workout I've regretted once I got started!

Exercise is so important to your health but also critical to KEEPING the weight off!!

[Alexa]

Re: Exercise and its importance

Hey,

I think you guys are totally right! Peope can't believe what I weigh and I like to think that is because of the muscle from exercise.

It is sooo important to exercise. Also, I totally love it now and would feel deprived without it. Jess is right though, inching into it is needed for some and that's fine - this WOL has a lot to take in.

I was getting kind of down about lack of progress with the scale and decided to focus more on the exercise - which I why I started the Monthly Fitness Challenge. Anyone wanting to join that is welcome http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=55119

[Sheepie]

Re: Exercise and its importance

Okay, I'm feeling really defensive here and I don't want to be. Having two small children and working full time takes almost all of my time. There is simply no way that I can devote as much time to exercise as some of you. Simply no way. Some of you will disagree with this, but I will not give up any more sleep than I already do and I will not give up family dinners, homework and baths for the kids. Maybe I should give up my 15 minutes of computer in the morning. Dh wants to exercise too but we can't hire a babysitter every night so we can go to the gym. I will not walk in the snow and ice after dark. I do lots of little things, like parking far away and I like to think they add up. I know you must think this is a cop-out, but I've still lost over 60lbs and until now I didn't think I was a failure and not doing Atkins. I've done very well sticking to this woe and I exercise when I can which is not as often as recommended. I've been doing this for almost a year and I've gone from a size 26 to a 16 and I intend to continue to a size 12. I'm sorry but it hurts to be called out as the black sheep here, especially when I thought I was doing well.

[Alexa]

Re: Exercise and its importance

Okay, I'm feeling really defensive here and I don't want to be. Having two small children and working full time takes almost all of my time. There is simply no way that I can devote as much time to exercise as some of you. Simply no way. Some of you will disagree with this, but I will not give up any more sleep than I already do and I will not give up family dinners, homework and baths for the kids. Maybe I should give up my 15 minutes of computer in the morning. Dh wants to exercise too but we can't hire a babysitter every night so we can go to the gym. I will not walk in the snow and ice after dark. I do lots of little things, like parking far away and I like to think they add up. I know you must think this is a cop-out, but I've still lost over 60lbs and until now I didn't think I was a failure and not doing Atkins. I've done very well sticking to this woe and I exercise when I can which is not as often as recommended. I've been doing this for almost a year and I've gone from a size 26 to a 16 and I intend to continue to a size 12. I'm sorry but it hurts to be called out as the black sheep here, especially when I thought I was doing well.

Sheepie,

I think you are doing really well! You've lost a lot.

I work from home with no set hours and no kids, so I appreciate I have A LOT of free time that others don't. I realise if I have kids I won't be able to do as much, but I'm enjoying it whilst I can.

Also I think the small things DO add up - as a pedometer shows.

Finally, I totally understand not being able to get out in the ice. This is just a suggestion and not a flame but sometimes I exercise in front of the TV (if you do have TV time) - like skipping, abs, pushups, squats. I also do squats when I cook and wait for the computer to load .

Also I espy that hoop in your signature - fancy joining the hooping portion of this challenge? Take up has been slow... http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=55120 Might be kid-friendly too depending on their ages.

[Evermind]

Re: Exercise and its importance

It's the cardio and the weight training. And when I say weight training, I mean a really solid hard-core workout of all body regions. I hired a personal trainer in January and it's changed everything. Before, I did circuit training at the gym, but that was NOTHING compared to what the trainer puts me through.

When I weighed 150 on my way up the scale many years ago, I wore a size 12. I moved to 14 within 5 lbs of that. And I was wearing Lane Bryant sizes by 165. Now I'm 195-199 and wear a 12 in regular clothing.

[shari_dawn]

Re: Exercise and its importance

I have small kids too and my life is just as busy as yours with kids, baths, 3 meals a day, cub scouts where I'm a leader, PTA where I'm a regular volunteer. I do my tae bo tape 4-5 days a week and I've just ordered more. I find that my kids like to do them with me or at least watch. My tape takes approximately 25-30 minutes (i don't know exactly, sometimes it feels like forever). But the rewards from that last me the whole day, for example when I'm done I feel like I can conquer the world. Point is that all women and mothers really need to take that time for themselves to do something good for themselves. I've made a commitment to improve my mind, body, and soul. I exercise and diet to improve my body. I read philosophical book for my soul and I try to learn something new everyday that I didn't know before. That way I improve my mind. Know what? I'm finding myself a much more peaceful person than I was before and its because I took that time to myself.

Something that helped me with my kids is I had put them on a very strict schedule. It sounds bad but its all about time management for me. The eat at a certain time, they take baths at a certain time, and they have nap time or 'quiet time' at a certain time. I use the nap time as a time to decompress. I also put them to bed right at 7:30. Then I have about an hour and a half before I go to bed to exercise, meditate, ect.

I'm not critisizing by any means. Everyone has their difficulties but with a little effort you can manage. I promise you!

[APanthesilia]

Re: Exercise and its importance

I agree with you guys! I have loved exercising over the past two months! I've never been consistent at exercising until now and I am so glad I started. I never ever thought I would be the kind of person to say that I really want to exercise but I find myself not wanting to take the bus or the lift sometimes and it is a great feeling and the difference it is making in my body is tangible.

Sheepie, Don't worry! You are doing so well! You know the value of exercise so you have been doing little things that add up! I do a lot of that, too. I'll get out one tube stop earlier so that I can walk further to work or I'll take a walk during my lunch break (only about 20 minutes!). Some suggestions though would be to go on a family walk on the weekends (especially since your husband wants to exercise too) or do some sit-ups and push-ups before bed. I do mine right before I go to bed and not only does it not take very long but it also helps me sleep! I personally don't think you have to devote as much time as some others who have more free time, though devoting a little time would probably help. You are doing great and you should feel proud of your progress.

[snap]

Re: Exercise and its importance

Awwww Sheepie... you are doing great and you are definately not the "black sheep" here. Ya know... a lot of gyms do offer child care for members. I know mine does. So, ya might look into that. But then... a gym is not a requirement for exercising. I'm thinking your kids probably go to bed earlier than you do. Maybe you could incorporate some sort of exercise into your schedule at night after they have been tucked in. ( Like popping an exercise dvd into the player or something.) I know a lot of folks here do their workouts in the morning. I prefer hitting the gym at night. It helps me unwind and de-stress from my day.
You are doing well. Keep up the great work.

[colleenieweenie]

Re: Exercise and its importance

Sheepie - I was in the same boat as you many months ago... I have 3 boys who run me ragged and any "free" time I might have had was devoted to cleaning and maybe, doing my hair.
After a while, I bought load of pilates tapes and started doing them in the living room when the chitlins whent down for nap. It helped, and gave me some great energy!

To be honest, the first time I did Atkins, I lost 29lbs in 3 months and didn't do one bit of exercise. I was working full time, had my kiddies and really had little or no time to devote to working out.

You're doing great - keep on doing what you're doing. I'm sorry you feel like you were called out - I totally understand the position you're in

[Outback Jess]

Re: Exercise and its importance

Sheepie, don't feel defensive, you are creative and intelligent and know your limits as well as have found ways to be more active...You might out last all of us who burn out from overkill!

[DuchessOfDork]

Re: Exercise and its importance

Yeah, I work out every other day and it's still very frustrating that I'm a size 9 and 5'1". I take the time out of my day to run, lift weights, and it still doesn't seem to help me much.