Unable to Exercise...Will Atkins still work?

[Moochiecat]

I heartily agree with that...talk to your doctors about this and see what they say.

If they say to go ahead, re-read the chapter on Induction focussing on the Rules of Induction and the Acceptable Foods list..particularly the veggies, and don't be shy to eat up to 20 carbs worth...remember these are good carbs!

[wannabethintoo]

Hi there.
I don't mean to sound funny or anything, but I hope you've spoken to your doctor before starting atkins?
You've got an autoimmune disease, could be anything from SLE to Rheumatoid Arthritis (you're too young for that though) to CREST and alot of other illnesses. Steroids and NSAIDS as you rightly said both cause water retention, and steroids in particular cause weight gain. Both your condition AND the NSAIDS can cause some impairement in your kidney's function, and this is not a good thing for someone on a high protein diet. I don't think that starting atkins will actually help you loose weight, as long as you're on the steroids. They will, by nature, counter-act any diet that you do, not just atkins!
Please speak to your rheumatologist and your own doctor about losing weight while on steroids/NSAIDS and I hope all goes well. Of course if they've advised you already to do atkins then just shut me up

Atkins is not a high protein diet. It's a high fat diet. 65% fat, 30% protein and 5% carb.

[DrSbaitso]

Atkins is not a high protein diet. It's a high fat diet. 65% fat, 30% protein and 5% carb.

well 30% protein is ALOT more than what you'd have on any other diet, or even if you're not on diet. So yes it is a high protein diet, in comparison to everything else.

[Skyela]

Hey sunny,

I appreciate where you are comming from on exercising- I am chronically Ill with Mixed connective Tissue Disease. I try to do a 15 minute walk when im feeling up to it.
Another way I found even laying on my bed and doing low impact leg raises sit ups etc.

Hey DrSbaitso..your never to young to get Rheumatoid Arthritis or lupus. I have mixed connective tissue disease (which is a mixture of auto immune diseases) eg lupus Rheumatiod etc. I am 21 yrs old and have had it since I was 10.

Skyela

[shashee]

sunny- I can relate to what your going through. I was on steriods for over a year for asthma (yes it was that bad) in a ONE YEAR time frame I gained 80 pounds. I used to be super skinny My dosage was so high I couldnt do anything but eat, and yes retained alot of water and acquired a "pumpkin face" .

Whoever said swimming was an option is correct, you can do that without it hurting your joints. I myself have just now started exercising. I went through the first month with no exercise and lost a good amount of weight.

Remember eat your veggies - They are VERY important and will keep things flowing through you, if you know what I mean. and def eat more than 5 grams of carbs a day silly! Dr Atkins says you can have 20, so eat them up!!!!

Goodluck to you

[DrSbaitso]

Hey sunny,

I appreciate where you are comming from on exercising- I am chronically Ill with Mixed connective Tissue Disease. I try to do a 15 minute walk when im feeling up to it.
Another way I found even laying on my bed and doing low impact leg raises sit ups etc.

Hey DrSbaitso..your never to young to get Rheumatoid Arthritis or lupus. I have mixed connective tissue disease (which is a mixture of auto immune diseases) eg lupus Rheumatiod etc. I am 21 yrs old and have had it since I was 10.

Skyela

aha, you're right! there's even a juvenile RA which kids get. But I was just going by common is common, rare is rare... anyhow good luck

[G-Mom]

You *can* lose weight without exercise, but you also lose muscle mass. And keeping the weight off without regular exercise is nearly impossible.

That is a total lie from the depths of ****!

The correct percentage would be closer 60-70%. Putting your body into a canobalistic state is dangerous. All those people who scream, "I lost alot of weight, but most of it was muscle" then blame the diet are idiots.

You know, I am going to be the devil's advocate here, k? I firmly do not believe that on this WOE, given that you consume adequate protein AND calories for your body that you WILL lose muscle mass if you don't exercise. I think that is hogwash. Don't get me wrong, I think exercise is fabulous and necessary for health, but I know from personal experience, that my body is not eating its muscle.

I have not regularly exercised aerobically in months (I am not happy about it), but I do lift free weights, although not strenously, and my legs have very strong and defined muscle. My hubby even makes me show family my calf muscles all the time! If I were wasting away, I would have flabby legs (even if smaller) that really have no muscle definition.

I may be different than most ppl though. I am a mesomorph body type whose muscles respond very quickly and positively to any resistance, even if it is chasing after my toddler or cleaning.

I do not believe anyone needs to be an exercise addict to lose weight, however, some form of aerobic exercise will strengthen the heart, define the muscles and make you healthier. If you lose weight without any exercise at all, be prepared for a smaller body, but one without much muscle definition.

BTW, there are many folks on this board who have lost a lot of weight without regularly exercising (BabyPhat1 comes to mind), so it is possible, but it is NOT the healthiest choice for your heart and body.

[FightingTheFight]

well 30% protein is ALOT more than what you'd have on any other diet, or even if you're not on diet. So yes it is a high protein diet, in comparison to everything else.

I don't agree. I think it depends on the person on what they eat, some people eat alot of hamburgers,fried chicken,porkchops, ect. when they eat their mashed potatoes, mac and cheese or green beans.

G-Mom,

I guess the point I was trying to make is that it is alot better in the long run. Just by the way your body looks and feels. Its better to lose weight and become nice and toned smaller person than become what bodybuilders like to call a "skinny Fat person".

[wannabethintoo]

I think the people who are saying that you can still lose weight without excercising are just trying to give this girl some hope. She has health issues that are preventing her from excercising right now. That might change in the future but right now she feels that excercising would be too much for her.

I believe that you can lose weight without excercising. Maybe not as fast but you will lose weight if you stick to the rest of the program.

[tickletussler]

Re: Unable to Exercise...Will Atkins still work?

It IS possible to go without exercise for a little while AND lose weight, but don't go without exercise for too long...

when I started Atkins, I had heel spurs which meant it was generally very painful for me to walk, let alone walk long distance or doing anything high-impact. but the doctor advised that I lose the weight so I tried Atkins.

Over the last 5 months the heel spurs have disappeared, I have lost the weight AND begun walking home from work. It's only 3 miles and some days I walk real slow (like take more than an hour to get home instead of 45min), but I am getting better. I could also start doing yoga and pilates (which are NO-impact - easy stuff to tone up my muscles and gain strength)

What everyone is saying IS right - you need exercise, you need up to 20g carbs consisting of 3 cups of veggies), but Daniela, I also want to give you hope that you CAN lose and not exercise for a while. Who knows? Maybe as the weight comes off, there would be less stress on your joints and maybe you will have less water retention... I mean if people with other types of diseases like diabetes, PCOS and a whole host of others have improved symptoms after going on Atkins, then why not give it a go and see?

[not2late]

I think we've gotten away from what "Exercise" is. For too many folks, "exercise" is running on a treadmill, doing jazzerobics or something like that. Exercise can be as simple as walking or dancing. Exercise can be something we think of as relaxing like Tai Chi or Yoga. Let's face it, sex is exercise too. So break out of the "I have to run 1000 miles" mind set. Exercise is getting your muscles moving.

If you can only walk for 10 minutes, that's fine. For the folks who are really out of shape, they will build up lactic acid in their muscles after "minimal" exercise. Once you begin to get stronger, your endurance will increase too. So you'll most likely be able to walk or dance just alittle bit more.

Just remember, what's important is to get your body moving.

sunnyzwei1989, please do discuss exercise with your doctors. I'm sure they can get you in touch with physical therapy.

:icondance

[BreakfastSurreal]

well 30% protein is ALOT more than what you'd have on any other diet, or even if you're not on diet. So yes it is a high protein diet, in comparison to everything else.

I don't agree. I think it depends on the person on what they eat, some people eat alot of hamburgers,fried chicken,porkchops, ect. when they eat their mashed potatoes, mac and cheese or green beans.

G-Mom,

I guess the point I was trying to make is that it is alot better in the long run. Just by the way your body looks and feels. Its better to lose weight and become nice and toned smaller person than become what bodybuilders like to call a "skinny Fat person".

Fight, would you rather be a FAT fat person? Or a skinny fat person? I have been both, I had no muscle definition when I weighed 130lbs and still had "flab" on my tummy, and let me tell you, while it may not be as cool as looking like a body builder, it is DEFINITELY much better than weighing 200 pounds and being a FAT fat person!

I don't understand why some of you are being so negative, some people really cannot exercise, and its NOT their fault! They can still lose weight! ANYONE who is in ketosis and doing the diet properly is going to lose weight. Your body is burning the fat remember? It may be slower without exercise but in the long run I do believe getting some pounds off will make her feel better and feel healthier. Baby steps.

[wannabethintoo]

BreakfastSurreal, I totally agree. It's very nice that many of you have "found" exercise and swear by it but we must also try not to ram it down everyone's throat. If you are healthy and have the energy then by all means, exercise. Don't get me wrong. I totally believe in exercise and I exercise regulary. I was an aerobics instructor for many years...I took the courses and I know about exercise and the effects on the body. I also know what illnesses can do to the body and how difficult even the thought of exercise can be to some people. Let's encourage Daniela with the rest of the Atkins program and put the exercise part aside for now. I'm sure we'll get back to it in time after she's lost some weight and regained some health and might feel better about exercising. Just my two cents...wich is really more like 1 and 1/2 cents since I'm a Canadian.

[Zolgor]

I lost 70lbs on Atkins in 2003 and never did any exersize at all. I feel off the boat and started again May 13th and have lost 25lbs so far but this time I plan on getting a treadmill or bike when I loose a little more weight and I am able to do a little more. I would like to try and 'tone' up some of my skin while loosing because with 200lbs to loose there is going to be a ton of baggage. I am only 27 so I hope that I can tighten up as much as possible.

[FightingTheFight]

Fight, would you rather be a FAT fat person? Or a skinny fat person?

To be honest, a fat fat person, Me personally, I am obsessed with strength, and I know that without exercise your body has a tendacy to burn muscle sometimes.

If you really can't exercise I understand...but alot of times, its people just giving excuses. I am not saying that this is the case now, but its hard to determine sometimes.