Who doesn't exericise much?

[focus83]

Ok i keep reading about lots of people who exercise and lose loads, but are there any members out there that don't really exercise but still lose following the plan?

I don't make time for exercise but i feel i do walk around alot, shopping, around work, going home. Is this not enough? Do i really need to be working out for a hour or so each night to get better results?

[michelle23464]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

I am not really following an exercise plan. I am loosing slowly but I am loosing. I have lost 13.5 lbs since I started Oct 22.

Every once in a while I get on my stationary bike but that is not often. I chase after my 9 month old and cleaning house all day I don't have time to spare. Well I do but I find other things to do instead.

Michelle

[Greeneggs&ham]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

I did really well in the beginning without exercise. Over the first 2 months or so, I averaged 3-4 pounds a week after the 14 day induction period. Whether that was because this WOE was still new to my system or because I had a fair amount to lose, I don't know. But after that first three months, the loss began to drop significantly. I averaged maybe .5-1 pound a week and would go maybe three weeks without losing a single pound.

This was, of course, discouraging so I chose to join a few others here by following the C25K jogging program. (Keep in mind that I have never jogged in my life, and never had a desire to be a runner!) I am now (4 months since the start) able to jog 3 miles at a time three days a week. I find that on this regimen with the same eating behaviors from 4 months ago, I am back to losing 2-4 pounds a week. I would prefer if I never had to exercise as it's always starts as a chore, but the fact is that I feel better afterward and the continued weight loss provides the incentive I need to stick with it.

Hopefully you can find a physical activity that works for you as well. I would suggest you try things you previously wouldn't have -- I *never* would have picked running in the past, but I'm getting to the point where I miss it when I take too many days off. Best of luck to you.

[Chef Kevin]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

There are just too many benefits to exercising that I cannot imagine not doing it. I have always been an exerciser, even when I was gaining weight. If you are going to be fat, at least be fit while you are.

I've always been an active person, I hate sitting around. And the plus to exercise is, your metabolism stays revved up for a couple hours after the exercise, so you burn calories while you workout, and you continue to burn more calories long after the workout is finished. So, it's a double bonus.

[Debie]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

But after that first three months, the loss began to drop significantly. I averaged maybe .5-1 pound a week and would go maybe three weeks without losing a single pound.

This happened to me also. I have gone 3-4 weeks with zero loss in weight. I decided enough is enough and purchased a treadmill. I work from home so it is more convenient for me to jump on the treadmill between conference calls and on my lunch break. I am doing about 3 miles a day. My husband's mouth dropped yesterday while I was changing. He grabbed the tape measure and measured my waist. It showed 2 inch loss!!! I am below that danger zone for women I think it is to soon to say it was the walking but I do feel so much better!!

[Skeptika23]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

I'm finding that I tend to lose pounds/inches faster in weeks where I'm getting at least 20 minutes of sweating, heart-racing exercise a day than in weeks where I don't.

I just do calesthenics - I don't need any fancy equipment for it - and it seems to work for me.

[Debie]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

I'm finding that I tend to lose pounds/inches faster in weeks where I'm getting at least 20 minutes of sweating, heart-racing exercise a day than in weeks where I don't.

I just do calesthenics - I don't need any fancy equipment for it - and it seems to work for me.

Good point, I was doing "The Firm" and a few others in the month of Sept and Oct..got lazy in Nov and it showed.

[Lyssie]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

You can lose weight without exercise, but honestly... Why would you not take 20minutes out of your schedule to do some form of physical activity that you *know* is going to help you achieve your goal?

Is there any real purpose in changing your eating habits, and your lifestyle, and *not* exercising? Wouldn't you want to lose that 133lbs faster?

I know this part might sound a little mean, but you have over your ideal weight to lose. That's a huge amount of weight. Exercise will help you with the excess skin, and will help you achieve this faster than if you just change what you eat. It's been shown that people who exercise stick to a healthier way of life and feel better about themselves in general. If you feel like you're okay with being morbidly obese, and waiting on a diet to make it better, instead of being proactive, then you'll probably be okay for a bit. If you really want to burn off the pounds, and help with not hitting those plateaus, then you should be taking that time to do some form of physical activity.

[deb79fl]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

I am in the minority here, as I was one that did not exercise during my weight loss. I had some injuries that did prevent me from working out. That being said, it took me one year to lose 70 plus pounds. My body feels so much better w/o the additional weight. No longer have the constant pain in my back and knees. I can sit on the couch and cross my legs (like a pretzel) when watching TV. I used to do this when I was a kid.... that's when I realized how much progress I made w/o any formal exercise program. It's also when I knew that physically I could do some exercise. I still have problems with my neck, back and hips (somewhat) but I have learned when I can and can not do. I don't have the money to get a treadmill, etc., but I can do stretching exercises, some weight training, walking (even in place, if you don't want to go outside). The benefits of exercise include being physically fit, getting toned and tightened (there will be lose skin w/o toning) and being able to keep your calories up. If I didn't do some kind of exercise, I would only be able to eat about 1300 calories to maintain my weight (per BMR charts), so I enjoy being able to eat low carb and eating enough to satisfy my appetite. When I "try" to go back to low fat and higher carbs, I am constantly hungry. This WOE is a constant learning process, but worth the effort! Anyway, do exercise and you'll be surpised at how much better you feel and how much quicker you get results!

[LadyBethny]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

I hated exercise before this WOE and I made excuses for not doing it, especially the too busy bit! I have to say now I am a bit addicted to it. Its not just the weight loss, it helps me sleep, my skin glows, I feel more energised and I think the really noticeable thing for me at the moment is that everyone around me and I mean EVERYONE has a stinking cold... I haven't! :0) This time last year I would have caught them all, one after the other but this year... everyone is jealous because I am bug free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[liv]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

My experience has been similar to what others mention. I did not start out exercising much or at all and lost weight fine. But then when I started to lose weight I wanted to see what else I could accomplish so I have started to exercise and now I really enjoy it. For me it has really toned up stuff. I am several sizes smaller now that I was last time I weighed this much - so exercise works. I also am trying to build up that metabolic advantage of having muscles for when I reach goal as that is going to make it easier for me maintain (Or at least I hope so )

How about trying some exercising in front of the TV - squat while you brush your teeth - do 10 push-ups in the morning? It does not have to be a lot.

[quotidianlight]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

In addition to helping the weight fall off faster and helping prevent excess skin. I found with exercise I am a LOT smaller at any given weight than I was the last time I was this weight. The last time I was 147 I was a size 8 and had a pair of black jeans I couldn't wear. I am 147 again and not only do those jeans fit this time but I am a size 4. The months I don't lose pounds the inches keep coming off. That said, you don't need a heavy regime. I started with just walking 30 minutes twice a day and that was fine. I started running because I loved the way it felt to move after the weight started coming off.

[APanthesilia]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

Sure, you can still lose without much exercise...but...you really need to exercise! Dr Atkins says "Exercise has enormous benefits for your health, and will speed your weight loss! It's a critical element of the healthy new you, and its importance cannot be underestimated" (page 115 of my copy of DANDR).

The thing is this- you don't just want to be thinner, do you? Don't you want to be healthier? I know of so many skinny girls who are incredibly unhealthy- I don't want to be that. I don't want to work this hard at losing the weight just to be thin without being healthy. I want to be an amazon woman- I want to be powerful and strong and able to run up flights of stairs without hyperventilating. I want to see a new me that is not just able to fit into smaller clothes but is actually healthy and vibrant. I strongly urge you to start an exercise plan, even if it is not much to start with! Also, doing a bit of exercise really helps the inches fly off. You are working hard to stay on plan with eating- why not push yourself just a bit more to do this part too? You will not regret it and I'm sure it will really help you feel more active, healthy and in control (not to mention thinner!)

I walk about two miles every day (I live in the city without a car so I don't have much choice) but it is not aerobic and I have been trying to get myself to kick it up a bit. How about we both start exercising more and we can report back to each other? Or you could join one of the wonderful exercise challenges here like the six week exercise challenge. It is one of the best (in my opinion!) and sign ups are on now for the next six week cycle- I hope to see you there and I hope you at least check it out to see if you'd like to do it. Good luck to you!

[rweeks]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

I found with exercise I am a LOT smaller at any given weight than I was the last time I was this weight. The last time I was 147 I was a size 8 and had a pair of black jeans I couldn't wear. I am 147 again and not only do those jeans fit this time but I am a size 4. The months I don't lose pounds the inches keep coming off. That said, you don't need a heavy regime. I started with just walking 30 minutes twice a day and that was fine. I started running because I loved the way it felt to move after the weight started coming off.

I could not agree with this more! I am a newbie and I am far from my goal.... BUT consistent exercise has really "tightened" me up. Cardio and resistance training really change the COMPOSITION of your body. at 147 quotidianlight (above) is 4 sizes smaller than she was at the same weight and a different composition. That is fantastic! I am sure she is now a fat-calorie burning machine! I am actually proud of the accomplishments that I have made in the gym. It really helps me to stay on the straight and narrow with the Atkins lifestyle. I feel strong as an OX, and I can almost run a mile without stopping. That is at 353, I cannot wait to see what I can do at 275. For anybody reading this: if you are not exercising... start now. Start small and up the duration and intensity week over week. just my 2 cents. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

[LuckyD]

Re: Who doesn't exericise much?

This is the time to start to embrace exercise. I know for some, including me at times, it just seems like the last thing you want to do. But the benefits are amazing, losing weight is just one of them. It also helps you build muscle so it raises you metabolism, always a good thing. Your health will improve DRAMATICALLY whether you are healthy or not to start off. But the absolute best part about exercise is that it makes us feel good mentally as well as physically. Now I have no clue as to why it is so hard to get ourselves to start exercising and I have no idea why when we stop it is just so hard to start again, with all those wonderful benefits. One of life's great mysteries. As Nike says, 'just do it' and get that heart pumping.