Exercise

[Designbabe]

So do you guys exercise on Atkins?
Do you find it helps accelerate your weight loss?
Or does it make little difference?

I want to hasten my loss and am thinking of hitting the gym at a strenuos pace.

Looking forward to your feedback.

Thanks.

[kristi2578]

Re: Exercise

I've been working out this week. I didn't during the 1st week of induction, but I figured it would help push things along. I alternate between the elliptical and floor exercises. I hate doing it, but I feel great afterwards. I'm ready to reap the benefits and rewards of my hard work!

[Rafaella_F]

Re: Exercise

I just finished day 2 and I´ve exercised both days..35 mins of elliptical each day.. I think it will get harder in a few days, but up to now it´s going great!

[astrogirl]

Re: Exercise

I've never done Atkins without exercise, so I don't know.

I exercise whether I'm dieting or not -- it just makes me feel better generally!

[ttdriver]

Re: Exercise

Atkins and exercise took me from this:



to this:


Betty

[shari_dawn]

Re: Exercise

You know I've heard both sides of the arguement. I'm no expert but I'll pass along what I have heard and some of what I know to be fact.

Muscle weighs more than fat so you may not see the scale going down as quickly but you will notice your clothing getting baggier. You need muscle to burn more fat and you need exercise to build muscle (tone).

My friends girlfriend who was a physical therepist/trainer/weightlifer/jerk said you should not exercise until you are within 5 lbs of your goal weight or you defeat the purpose. I guess that makes sense but at the same time she was a jerk so I chose to not pay any attention to her.

I know when I was on this diet last year I was power walking hills for 3 miles and when I was done sweating and gasping for air I felt much better. Right now the weather here is not good for walking about town..... I'd walk half way up the hill lose footing and slide back down. But I know when it warms up again I'm going to start up those hills.

Good Luck!!

[Jace]

Re: Exercise

Exercise is non-negotiable! Especially since it has many more effects than just accelerating weight loss. You'll also increase your muscle tone, decrease the amount of loose skin you may end up with if you have a lot of weight to lose, and it is also great stress relief and makes you feel better on those days when life is getting you down.

There are so many more benefits, but those are just the major ones that I've found.

~Far la bella figura!

[Flab To Go]

Re: Exercise

DANDR-days that you need to exercise with this WOE. I have not had seen much gains on the scale myself but people seem to think I'm losing. I'm definately losing inches and getting toned. Plus exersing makes me feel good and keeps me motivated to eat well. I would highly recommend cardio to start and would definately begin to exercise. It simply makes you feel good

[Mothercooter]

Re: Exercise

muscle takes more calories to maintain so the more muscle you have from exercise, the faster you lose.

Besides, the whole point of atkins is an entire lifestyle change for health. Exercise is a part of that. If ya just lose without exercise you will end up with no tone so though you may get thinner, you will be all soft and squishy instead of lean and tone.

Trust me from personal experiece. Several yrs ago I lost fro, a 14 pant to a 3 and even though I was tiny, I still have hang over on my jeans, and a jelly belly, it just wasnt what I wanted.

[kristi2578]

Re: Exercise

I'm worried about the hang over myself...I already have a little bit of it, just from having kids. I can't afford any surgeries or anything when I'm done, so I have to work it off.

[Brook]

Re: Exercise

Exercise on Atkins is non-negotiable- That's per Dr. Atkins himself.

Exercise will not accelerate weight loss. It will, however, accelerate fat loss, muscle gain, better sleep, less stress, bone density, energy levels, etc etc etc.

Someone telling anyone to not bother exercising until you're within 5lbs of your goal defeats the purpose absolutely baffles me. It makes no sense what-so-ever. You exercise, you reap all the benefits listed above. You gain strength and stamina. Your body changes shape. You burn more calories at a resting rate. You look better. Your overall health improves. AND you don't battle nearly the loose skin issues. You stand to lose nothing and gain everything - in a good way !!

I have a very close girlfriend who just couldn't figure it out for the life of her. We are the same height, very similar bone structure. She wears a size 10. I wear a size 6 and I weigh 12lbs more than she does and look better. Why? Because I carry quite a bit of muscle and have good muscle tone. She carries a lot more body fat than I do. One word: Exercise. One picture :

Bottom line?

Lose weight= Look good.
Lose weight + Exercise= Look good nekkid.

I never had any desire to look like a deflated elephant!

Conversely, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Do not jump into it guns 'ablazin . Start off slow. Be sure to incorporate strength training as well as aerobic training for optimal results and benefit. Do not over train or it's counter productive. If you're inexperienced and can afford to do it, I'd strongly suggest setting up a couple of sessions with a personal trainer. A good PT will not only help you design a program around you, your body and your needs, but will show you what you need to know about form and execution. If you find a trainer that only wants to harp on you about following Atkins- remember this: They work for you, you do *not* work for them and don't be shy in reminding them of that if you have to. Find someone you can be honest with and work with and they'll be worth their weight in gold to you.

If the PT isn't an option for you, I'd suggest starting up in a class or two at the gym (Body Pump is a great one. Jazzercise is another fantastic one. Zumba?..the list is endless) and if you're in need of some killer workout video recommendations, you're on the right board for that too.

I wish you success!
~Brook

[MrsBrittney]

Re: Exercise

Here's a perfect example. The first time I did DANDR, I was the same start weight I was this time around. I jogged 30 minutes a day and did 200 situps. Nothing "strenuous". I lost 8 lbs the first week in Induction and 6 lbs the next week.

This time around, I haven't exercised at all yet and I completely regret it. I'm actually extending Induction a week and rearranging my schedule to fit it in now, because I'm closing in on my last week of Induction and only down about 6 lbs (verses the 14 the first time around).

I would DEFINATELY exercise. My hubby used to be a personal trainer and no, you shouldn't leave exercise off the menu until you are within 5 lbs of your goal weight. That's "absurd" he says and I agree. But you don't need to KILL yourself at the gym, because a good decent workout verses a "going crazy" workout may not show you much more difference and it may just increase your appetite even more. Go for a good, challenging-but-not-strenuos pace. You'll also find it reduces risk of injury to your body, which would just put you out of workout commission for several days anyway. =)

[astrogirl]

Re: Exercise

Here's a perfect example. The first time I did DANDR, I was the same start weight I was this time around. I jogged 30 minutes a day and did 200 situps. Nothing "strenuous".

OMG! That sounds pretty strenuous to me!

I walk 4mph for about an hour, or hike over rough terrain with hill climbing for 45 minutes. I can do 3mph at that, but it's not really the hills, it's the footing or I'd be faster. I do run now and then, but according to my Nike iPod widget, I burn by far the most calories with the brisk hour-long walk.

I should do some calisthenics, and sometimes I do, but I hate them as much as I hate going to a gym.

[shari_dawn]

Re: Exercise

I agree that it does not make sense to wait until you are within 5 lbs of your goal weight. I told you all she was a jerk! I actually got into a big 'discussion' with my friend when she told me I should stop exercising. I just thought I'd throw it out there.