Who doesn't exericise much?

[liv]

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by quotidianlight

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]

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.

[APanthesilia]

Hi, How is your induction going? I just wanted to drop by to give you the link to the exercise challenge I mentioned above... http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...challenge.html (Sign up for #49 6 Week Exercise Challenge)

Hope you are doing well, check in with us and let us know how you are getting on.

[focus83]

But how much is enough? I probably do about 20 mins walking every day and sometimes when i have time i do some of my tae bo dvd (about 10-20 mins) i know its not loads but i feel like its better than nothing and i think as i lose more weight i will feel more energictic (sp) so can do more and for longer!

[Debie]

Personally I think 20 min of walking is a great start. Once this has become a routine (maybe is already?) then try adding 5 or 10 min. My goal is to get something in every day for at least 30 min. You are moving and that is what counts...keep it up

This may help?


Your Exercise Routine: How Much Is Enough?

[APanthesilia]

Is that twenty minutes of walking exercise walking? By that I mean all at once and enough to get your heart rate up and keep it up for that long? If so then that is great! But if it is twenty minutes walking that adds up walking to work from the car, shopping on lunch break, walking around the office, etc then that's not so great! But you are on the right track- ever little does help! Try to add in sit ups and pushups before bed- that is an easy way to get in some more exercise!

And you are right- the more you lose the more energetic you will be but (for me) even with the extra energy I don't necessarily want to put it towards exercising unless I've gotten in the habit of it already when I had less energy. Does that make sense? You have to get into the habit now or you won't want to do it later either! And even if you are thinner if you haven't been exercising, it will still be hard and you will still have to start from scratch to build up your stamina. If you start now you can work up to being thinner and healthier all at the same time. Like I said in my first post to you- you don't want to be a skinny girl who is still unhealthy!

[Skeptika23]

I don't think you have to be Exercise Obsessive for it to help - I certainly am not!