Exercise is NON Negotiable....

[jimmie 48]

i think sunny would understand where i'm coming from since she's had some pretty bad health problems. i'm sure others will relate, also.

exercise isn't prescribed or suggested just to speed up weight loss or tighten our skin. i've found, since going through my cancer ordeal and the recoup period that had i not been exercising all along prior to my surgery, i would be so much farther behind in my progress. exercise in the last 4 years has made my recovery quicker and better with less stress on my whole system.

besides that, dr. atkins referred to the 3 legged stool as being this woe, exercise and supplements. all three make up what we know as ATKINS.

[gman]

Jimmie 48-

Wow that is a huge reason to be exercising. We take things for granted and maybe are not building up strength for when we are really tested. Very unfortunate for you to become so ill, but on the other hand very fortunate that you were much stronger and able to take it head on as you have!!

BTW you mentioned the exercise challenges starting up again Aug. 1. Having been in several for the first time, in July, I agree these are great motivators and you have fun with the others on line. The outcome is I am in MUCH better shape and can't wait to get into the gym again. One cool discovery I made is the Swiss Ball or stability ball at the gym. You can buy these and use them at home. I'll take this moment to say I will be sending out an invitation on Sunday for the August Abs Challenge. You can do abs on the stability ball - a challenge that Jimmie 48 moderates.

Glenn

[BonnieRose16]

I'll take an exercise challenge. Starting Monday I'm going to be working out at least M-Th. I was working out M-Tues-Wed and then coached/caught on a softball team on Thursdays (not much exercise let me tell you aside from the gazillion squats I got and occassional run from home half way to 1st before getting out once every 2 innings) then Fri Sat Sun always found reasons not to work out because my husband wouldn't go with me (even though we pay for both of our memberships at Ballys every month. So anyway I am done w/softball as of this morning and will be going M-Th starting this week.

[gman]

BonnieRose-
Very cool. What's the story with softball coaching? That must keep you hopping.
I can relate to the difficulty getting going at the gym. Honestly for me without the challenges in July I would have worked out 1-2 times a week max. Instead, like 6 times a week and I can't wait to get into the gym each day. It's infectious. The challenges blow away the excuses because you make a commitment to you and others.
Look for announcements on them in the next few days. Hope to see you in the Abs and others.
Glenn

[joee5]

Sunny, I feast each and every meal every single day. I should have rephrased that my food isnt monitored, me carbs are. Slow and steady without busting me butt. As per the "book", me average loss falls right in line with what it's supposed too. So I'll take it my way. You sweat it out. God Bless,Joe

[misplaced southerner]

thanks for the great post. may i add my thoughts? if we are TRULY doing ATKINS....the ongoing/end result is OVERALL GOOD HEALTH, not JUST weight loss. atkins never was intended to be a quick fix weight loss program, rather an ongoing LIFESTYLE CHANGE. that being said, if the ONLY result you desire is weight loss, then the lack of exercise may or may not give you that result. HOWEVER......if your goal, like mine, is to be as healthy as you can possibly be, (lowered cholesterol, lower BP, greater cardiovascular health, greater stamina, increased muscle tone, better mental health...shall i go on?) ......then by all means EXERCISE!!!!

(and that's all i'm gonna say about that!)

[SueSue1212]

I am not sure who posted the original exercise post that has generated so much response, but, I do know that when I first started this WOL I could not exercise. I personally am stuck in that perverbial rock and a hard spot. I have several health conditions that conflict with each other and it was impossible. I DO KNOW that we are suppose to exercise, but my joints would swell, pain beyond belief, weakness, dizzy and a few other not so comforting symptoms. I have had bouts with different episodes of the "C" word, lost all my hair, I have fibro. and polymyalgia, and either lupus or ms depending on which Dr., I have 2 herniated disc and 2 buldging. So, as you can guess if I exercised with this mess of Dx. I ended up in bed for several days, a couple times I have ended up in the hospital on Morphine or Diladed, not fun at all.
My point is that Atkins can result in weight loss without exercise and for some that may be all they can do, if it is a case of physically can't exercise, lets not discourage anyone who wants to lose weight. It would be better to lose weight without exercise than it would be to get so discouraged that they don't try at all. Who knows maybe if they can lose some weight the exercise may come slowly with the ability to move. For those who can exercise get off your kester and do it!
SueSue1212

[eclectikat]

I sit on the fence on this topic.

I understand that Dr Atkins said we must exersize. So if you are talking sematics, I guess you right and that if one does not exersize they are not following to a tee.

On the other hand.

There are clearly people who are able to lose while only instituting this way of eating.

At my highest weight of 299, I was bloated and suffered inflamation throughout my entire body. I was stiff and tight and most often uncomfortable walking from the chair to the bathroom. I could hardly bend over, getting into my car was difficult.

I want to speak to the many people who might read this thread and say
"F#$* this... I can't do this, Atkins is not for me...because I just cannot exersize." Please reconsider. If I had read this thread I may have passed Atkins by as an option for me. I am so glad I did not.

For many people who are desparate to begin the loss process changing just their eating patterns is difficult enough. They felt ill before and feel ill during induction because of the detoxification they are experiencing, and are ill from the withdrawl symptoms from often a lifetime of bad carbs. There are also those who have limited mobility issues and are truly struggling to lose weight or prevent weight gain because of these very issues.
So while I appreciate this thread, the all of the comments made, and your point of view, and agree with much of what has been said, I want to say to those who don't see exersize as an option for you on Atkins at this moment: "Don't let this deter you."

You will lose weight following the Atkins plan so long as you get yourself into Ketosis and stay there.
IDEALLY as you progress you will begin to feel better, you will have a clearer mind and the thought of exersize will not be as daunting. EVERY one here is right. Start small. Walk down your driveway or side walk five minutes and turn around then tomorrow walk 7 minutes... and as you increase daily you will hardly notice you are actually exersizing.
I agree as we attain overall wellness that exersize should be factored in. BUT... Losing on Atkins without exersize is possible. SO I guess will refrain from saying I am doing Atkins to a tee when I am unable for any reason to exersize. But having said that I am still doing Atkins and seeing success and that is the most important thing.

If you had asked me six months ago if I would be exersizing this summer.. I would have said you were crazy. BUT I am walking 30-60 kms/week, I ride my bike 5 kms every day, I am doing regular weight training and kettlebells and I feel fantastic. At the onset of Atkins I could hardly entertain the notion of exersize, let alone what I am accomplishing at this point in my journey.

Kathy

[misplaced southerner]

hey kathy....you and sue both make great points. i was being narrow minded in my thinking because i was always CAPABLE of exercise.....i simply chose NOT to. perhaps i should clarify my post as intended for those who CAN but WON'T. i think we can all agree that to exercise is healthier than not to exercise. i did not consider those who had limited capabilities. i apologize if i seemed insensitive to that. and you make a great point also in noting what you are able to do now as opposed to 6 months ago. baby steps sure do lead to leaps. thanks for your input!

[gman]

Very good story Kathy. At my highest weight I was not exercising either. I got into it gradually starting with things I could do and liked to do.