Exercise...

[Kent]

Re: Exercise...

I took up marathon training after starting Atkins, so I definitely agree with find something you like to do and like to do often. I remain convinced it is more the consistency when starting an exercise program than the intensity that makes one successful. There is always time to focus harder or get more intense later once the routine is set.

Once you continue walking for 30 minutes a day for 2-3 months, maybe you'll think I should try to run every once in awhile (Couch25k) or you'll decide, you like biking (or gym aerobics or workout videos) instead -- which is what I did. Vary it up, and keep it fresh.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Exercise...

I'm so glad Dr Atkins made exercise mandatory so we don't have to debate do we need it or not. I walked all the way to goal weight as my aerobic exercise of course as I got in better shape and lighter I increased my speed incline and duration until I was doing HIIT for 60 min 30 days a week going 7MPH on incline 7 for the high intensity part. Oh and I started out feeling as trimuphant as Rocky on top of those steps when I could finally do 20 min of just 2MPH.

while I respect Gary Taubes opinion about exercise doesn't burn very many cals he ignores the other weight loss aspects exercise gives.
it alters stress fat storing chemicals
it also turns off the chemicals that generate new blood fats in the liver by using up the substrates.
it increases HDL the good cholesterol too.

so while I may only burn an extra 450 cals doing my workout I made fat body altering events occur that will have longer lasting effects then the 0.12 pounds I burned off.

[Alexa]

Re: Exercise...

I love exercise - for what it does to weight loss and to mood. Also tones you up nicely so you look good naked without clothes - diet alone can = deflated elephant look, or so they say

I started off doing workout videos at home 4/5 days a week. The joined a gym and did cardio and weights. I tired football (soccer) for a while and that burned a lot of fat in the early days for me. I love bodypump classes - was slimmest and lightest doing those 2/3 times week with some running or other cardio.

Then I felt the gym was getting boring, and I wanted a new challenge so I took up kickboxing. I've been doing that for 2 years and have progressed up the belts. Martial arts is a great combination of cardio, resistance and competition that keeps me motivated. I also run from time to time and do DVDs.

As most people have said here - find something you love - but try the odd scarier/random thing - you might love it!

[LageNomAi]

Re: Exercise...

Finally, success on any WOE/diet is 80% nutritional, 20% everything else. Also, at least one well-respected experts out there (Taubes) thinks that exercise FOR WEIGHT LOSS (not necessarily general health) can be counterproductive because it makes one more likely to overeat (recall the expression "working up an appetite.") Here's Taubes' controversial foray into the subject: Does Exercise Really Make Us Thinner? -- New York Magazine Remember, however, that since we follow DANDR 2002 here, exercise is not optional or negotiable.

This, absolutely, although I would say it's almost 100% nutritional unless you are preparing for a marathon, in which case most people eventually reach a point where they burn so many calories that they can eat whatever they want and not gain weight (although the consumption of unhealthy food is obviously detrimental in other ways). Exercise is not a terribly effective way to lose weight; however, it provides so many other undeniable benefits that there is all the reason in the world to incorporate it as part of your regimen and zero reason not to incorporate it.

As for me, I workout 5x/week and do the elliptical for 60 minutes, weights for my upper body, and stomach and back exercises with an exercise ball on the floor. Even a "lousy" workout feels better than no workout at all!