Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

[IAmJbo]

Hey all,

I have a question about exercise: How much do you do? How integral do you think it is to Atkins?

The reason I ask is that, on weekends, I don't exercise so I can give my body a break and enjoy myself a bit more. I notice that I lose much less, if at all, on the weekends. During the week? I'm a high flying weight losing machine. What are your experiences?

I know Atkins says that exercise is a non-negotiable part of this diet. I do exercise, so that is not the heart of my question. I just wonder about the losses of those who don't exercise much vs. those who do, and perhaps those who have done both?

Thanks,

Jason

p.s. btw: 190.5 And I bought new clothes yesterday!

[Lisa]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

That's cool about the high flying weight losing machine during the week!

My "normal", or what I considered my "prime time of life" in exercising is when I sweated really hard 5 days a week and light walk or something fun on the 2 days of the weekend. If my muscles were screaming for mercy and my body needing the rest, also listened to it by backing down the intensity. Now with that being said, I have to rebuild up to that "prime time" again after taking too much time off from it.

There's no doubt about it though, we have to exercise to lose weight, take off inchees, build muscle, and grow brain more cells

[ttdriver]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

You can lose weight without exercise IF your goal is to look like a balloon with the air let out of it.

I've been exercising since day one on Atkins (January 19, 2002) and I can't begin to tell you the change in my body AND the improvement in my health and fitness. It absolutely amazes me and has blown my doctor away when she sees my bloodwork.

When I started Atkins, I was a bonafide couch potato at age 46 who was on track for knee/hip replacement before age 60 ... I had aches and pains just about everywhere. I knew it was do-or-die time. I mean, how many opportunities do you get to turn things around in your life?

I lost the weight easily enough, but there's no question I'd never have been a 6+ year successful maintainer without the exercise. Not only that, I'd still have those aches and pains I had before ... NONE OF WHICH I HAVE NOW, even though I'm 52 !

I'd continue to exercise regardless of the impact to my weight. I simply love what its done for me !

I run 30+ miles a week (4 running days) and on my non-running days, I do core conditioning and weight lifting. Since November 1, 2003, I've run over 7,000 miles, including countless 5ks, 10ks, 15ks, 3 half marathons (13.1 miles) and 2 full marathons (26.2 miles). I have a third marathon planned in February 2009.

Betty

[IAmJbo]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

Betty,

Question: how much time do you devote to your exercise per day...and why don't you take a rest day like many experts suggest?

Thanks,

Jason

[Lisa]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

I lost the weight easily enough, but there's no question I'd never have been a 6+ year successful maintainer without the exercise. Not only that, I'd still have those aches and pains I had before ... NONE OF WHICH I HAVE NOW, even though I'm 52

Betty

That's so cool, Betty! I can only hope to be as fit as you at 52!

[Outback Jess]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

Hey Jason,
I exercise at least half an hour, 6 days a week. I lost all my weight first riding a stationary bike in the house, and eventually moving to a treadmill, biking outside and then to triathlons....Nothing came easy, but as the energy increased and the weight came off, I started to find myself addicted either to the my new ability or to the endorphines that are released...In the book there is a chapter, "exercise is non negotiable." That should say it well enough.
I think a rest day is very important...and if you are over training, your body holds water to heal with....
I would suggest working out with the goal to sustain it on a weekly basis...No weekly marathons, but weekly amounts that lead to health and managability.

[clogger]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

I'm exercising with the intention of becoming healthy - to build cardiovascular endurance, a strong heart, strong bones, and a toned body. I have hopes that all the exercise I'm doing (an average of 1 hour per day) will leave me with tight skin after my weightloss! I hope, I hope, I hope .

[chinadoll]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

Hi, I walk 5 to 8 miles a day at least five days a week. I try to lift weights at least twice a week and hope to be doing core work twice a week. Although I do crunches or something daily.

Jason, regarding your rest question-- I view it differently. I rest my body from walking on the days I lift. I rest my body from lifting on the days I walk, etc. I think the idea is not to do the same thing every day so that set of muscles get rest. My belief is it does not necessarily mean complete rest, but somedays I do that too.

[chinadoll]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

I think it is also the number one factor in my cholesterol improvement. Last set of numbers: total cholesterol 149; LDL 45; HDL 70, triglycerides 40!

[ttdriver]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

Betty,

Question: how much time do you devote to your exercise per day...and why don't you take a rest day like many experts suggest?

Thanks,

Jason

Hi Jason !

In a week, I spend exactly 8 hours running. Not much when you consider the total hours in a week, aye? As for my off-running days, 45 minutes a day doing core strengthening and weight lifting, max.

And yes, I do take rest days from running. I only run 4 days a week. I am a HUGE believer in the power of rest days.

Betty

[IAmJbo]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

Jess (and everyone else),

Thank you so much for your feedback! I exercise 45 minutes a day, walking (that's because I have a knee that clicks). I get my heart up to 120 to 130 bpm, which is the fat-burning zone for my age and weight. Right now, on induction, this seems to be the most I can manage. I'm not sure why, but I'm just not having the spring to my step I normally do. Next week, I'm hoping I can start up HIIT again (less time, so less stress on my knee).

I have to say though...I haven't lost any weight on induction since Friday. I'm stuck at 190. I walked all over today - must have been an hour and a half! I hope that pushes me.

Jess, are you doing any weight training?

Jason

Hey Jason,
I exercise at least half an hour, 6 days a week. I lost all my weight first riding a stationary bike in the house, and eventually moving to a treadmill, biking outside and then to triathlons....Nothing came easy, but as the energy increased and the weight came off, I started to find myself addicted either to the my new ability or to the endorphines that are released...In the book there is a chapter, "exercise is non negotiable." That should say it well enough.
I think a rest day is very important...and if you are over training, your body holds water to heal with....
I would suggest working out with the goal to sustain it on a weekly basis...No weekly marathons, but weekly amounts that lead to health and managability.

[canela70]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

Hi all! I try to work out 6/7 a week. At the moment, it's being SO tough to perform long workouts as I have 2 babies and they consume 90% of my energy . So, I try to survive the rest of the day with the remaining 10%. I try to either brisk-walk for 30 mins, or do some Wii Fit aerobic workout. Probably that's why I am losing weight so slowly. Some extra sweating would help me a lot more, I know. As I am starting to feel more energetic at this stage, I am planning on doing some aerobic dancing for 45mins, 4 days a week at least and I will start doing some strength straining

[HighBloodPressure]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

You can lose weight without exercise IF your goal is to look like a balloon with the air let out of it.

Betty

THAT statement alone is a motivator !!

[gmule]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

I do about 2 hours of cardio a day 5 days a week. I bike to work 30 miles a day round trip so 50- 60 min each way. Like a lot of you I am also posting up some pretty impressive blood work numbers.

In 2006 my cholesteral was 246 and my LDL was 177.
I have recently been back on Atkins for 6 weeks, and per the book I decided that I should go get a physical just to see what my numbers are before and after . I also went to ease my wifes worries becasue she couldn't wrap her mind around eating this way to be healthy.

Anyway this time around my cholesteral is at 202 a 44 point reduction.
My LDL level is now at 132 a 45 point reduction.

Another intersting thing I have discovered since I have began biking to work was the improvment it had on my blood pressure. My blood pressure used to be
145 / 90 that has since dropped down to 112 / 70

I also had a thyroid profile performed and it is normal.

I am going to atribute this improvment to the excercise for now. I have talked with my DR. about this woe and he is good with it since in the last 10,000 miles of riding I haven't really lost any weight until I started back up on atkins and lost 13 lbs on induction and I am down 22 overall. Still I think excercise is key to living longer. It seems to me that the human body wears out if you don't use it.

[y_ghazaly]

Re: Exercise: How Much Do You Do?

i walk 4 miles everyday plus half an hour of cardio 5 days a week , then rest on the weekends (maybe walk for like 30 minutes or not at all!)

it really helps with the shape of my legs & the weight loss altogether, but u really need 2 commit 2 whatever exercise regimen u chose 2 c results.....consistency is the key no matter how beat-up tired u are!