New Atkineers: What about exercise?

[Adena]

Happy New Year, and welcome to ADBB and the Atkins way of life!

I've been on Atkins for about 4 1/2 months now, and lost close to 50 pounds. I feel terrific. My one regret, however, is that I didn't hit exercise HARD when I first started. I did a little, stopped and started a bit, but didn't focus like I should.

Now, when I compare my body to that of a couple of friends here who started at the same weight and have lost about the same, but they EXERCISED regularly, their body changes are SO much more significant! Yes, I'm smaller, and grateful for that, but I'm a smaller version of my former self. I want to be DIFFERENTLY shaped, not just smaller! So now, nearing half way through my journey, I have seriously committed myself to exercise. I urge you not to wait as long as I did!

Strongly consider joining an exercise challenge. These do wonders for keeping you on track! There are choices for just about everyone.... milage, calories burned, crunches, pushups (modifed w/ a stability ball). Pick your poison -- and get with the program! I promise you, you'll be SO glad you did!!

To find the exercise challenges, go to the main page with all the forums, and look under the one that says "Atkins for Health". Near the bottom, you'll find "Exercise Challenges." (In fact, here's a link to take you straight there: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...splay.php?f=51.) To join, just follow the EASY instructions posted for the challenge of your choice.

Best of luck to you!

[ValidRouge]

Great post, Adena! This is so true about the exercise...it REALLY makes a difference. You need to do strength training AND cardiovascular training. So make sure to do a combination.

Resistance training comes in many forms: yoga, pilates, core strengthening, weight lifting (which I *highly* recommend)
Cardio comes in many forms too: walking, running, rowing, cycling, dancing, jumping rope, stair climbing, elliptical machines, etc. etc.

Pick your poison...and try different things too. Just as with food, you might find you like something now that you NEVER imagined you'd like...I certainly did with running. All my friends and family are dumbfounded (and so am I) that I actually RUN. LOL

[MendoGirl]

I appreciate your hind sight advice thanks. I have been thinking about signing up for one of the challenges, I was a bit intimidated since I haven't exercised in SO LONG. But I found one that suits me and signed up. Thanks for the advice.

[Tracie515]

Thanks i am so glad to have read this. Exercise has been last on my list, but now i have joined a challenge and gonna try for more in february.

[Adena]

Mendo and Tracie - I'm so thrilled for you! Truly, if I could go back and change anything, I would change that in a second! Don't feel like you have to go all out right away, but do ease yourself into it and be consistent about it. It will get easier and easier and you'll soon be working your body harder and harder, watching it morph before your eyes. But, to be sure you notice the change, take measurements and photos TODAY.

In my journal (a few pages back), I posted some (scary) before and during photos in bike shorts and a sports bra. (You can click on my journal link below and scroll a couple of pages back to see them, if you dare... lol). While I do see a change in my body with the 45 pound weight loss, it's not nearly as drastic as I'd like it to be. However, when I look at Julirama, who is a workout fiend, her chagnes are tremendous. I am hitting the gym (walking/running and weights) hard this month, and am very anxious to take pictures again at the end of the month to see if there's a noticable difference. If there is, I MIGHT post them more conspicuously for the (ADBB) world to see.

Best of luck to you, and keep us posted on your progress!

[Elizellen]

Great post, Adena