This may be a really dumb question but here it goes???

[mom2jjl07]

I just want to clarify something that makes perfect sense to me but I always got mixed responses on "another" low carb board.....when following the atkins WOE it would seem that combining excercise(walking,jogging,weights etc.) with this WOE would go hand in hand in order to speed up weight loss...i read in one of my health mags last night that when you exercise your body burns CARBS first THEN FAT...if there are no carbs to burn your body automatically will burn fat!? Which leads me to think exercise and atkins together equals MAJOR WEIGHT LOSS!!!???
Is this the case? Has anyone combined the two and found this to be so true???
I just want to get a clear understanding of this....i am trying to decide between starting Atkins or Weight Watchers?? It just seems like with all the carbs you eat,eat and eat on WW exercising will be burning all those carbs first? Whereas Atkins will be attacking the fat I gotta do something and I gotta do something SOON....my life is and has been at a standstill since gaining all this weight and I am ready to get it off

[Evansmom49]

While the speed of one's weight loss varies by their level of metabolic resisitance, exercise is crucial to this WOE. If you browse around the board, you'll see a lot of people who may not lose a tremendous amount of weight but have significant loss of inches.

Although my weight is coming off slowly (25 lbs over 5 1/2 months), my body is leaner and stronger than I've ever been at this current weight.

[phil h]

Probably not answering your question but! I did weight watchers several years ago and exercised a lot.Lost a weight.I took on a almost skinny look and lost quite a bit of muscle mass.I stayed hungry all the time and thought about my next meal constantly.With very low carb dieting, I weigh less than I ever got doing WW.I look lean , not skinny I and have much more muscular defintion.My exercise consists of chin ups,push ups and burpee's.I exercise every oither day but limit it to around 30 mins.Hunger is an non issue.Although weight loss has almost stopped I continue to lose body fat.Carrying about 18% and it is going lower.Big difference is not having to deal with hunger.Hunger will kick my butt every time and I'll eventually give in to it.I plan to eat this way from here on out.

[mitzimarie]

Originally Posted by mom2jjl07

I just want to get a clear understanding of this....i am trying to decide between starting Atkins or Weight Watchers?? It just seems like with all the carbs you eat,eat and eat on WW exercising will be burning all those carbs first? Whereas Atkins will be attacking the fat I gotta do something and I gotta do something SOON....my life is and has been at a standstill since gaining all this weight and I am ready to get it off

Welcome to ADBB!

Have you fully researched the Atkins WOE (way of eating), and realize that it is a 4-phased plan that is for a lifetime? I think the most effective eating plan for a person, is the one that they can stick to consistently for a lifetime - not the one that will take weight off the quickest. While some people (like me) have found Atkins to be the only plan that works for them and have made the commitment to follow it for life, some people aren't able to stick with it. So I just want to make sure that you understand both plans fully, before choosing between them.

[yanto]

I would have thought regular exercise could only help weight loss on any diet/WOE. As you say, on Atkins it will mean your body can burn more fat. I exercised through my first week of induction and lost nearly 7lb, even though I only have a comparatively moderate amount of excess weight that I need to loose. I did not do as much exercise as I would usually though, I believe this was due to the tiredness I experienced as my body switched from a carb burning to a fat burning metabolism. Feel fine in week 2 though. Best of luck, not that you need it, Atkins does work, and it works almost alarmingly fast.

[kaylasgram]

No question in my book when it comes Weight Loss & Your Health there is NO Dumb Question!!!

I have been on The Atkins Program for a little over 8 months now since 1/1/09 & have lost 50 pounds & 8 clothes sizes with very limited exercise.

I was in a Motorcycle Accident approx 3yrs ago leaving me with Nerve Dammage, Lupus & Fibromaylagia. My Neuro Dr now allows me this Summer to Swim, take Short walks & I've started using a Stability Exercise Ball. During this Winter I was Vaccuming my whole house 2x daily a room at a time & take a break. Just to get myself up & moving around!!!

I spent a year (200 before coming to Atkins trying what seemed everything else under the sun & all I lost by the end was 18 pounds. My Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar Levels were straight through the roof!!!

By the middle of this May Iam thankfully off my meds for both conditions. Atkins will be my WOE for the rest of my Life there is NO DOUBT in my mind what so ever about that 100%!!!

I hope that in some small way my story will be able to help you make a decision to choose The Atkins Program.

This is the healthiest that I have ever been in my life even with my ongoing health conditions that a year ago had me almost bed ridden!!!

~Cindi~

[mom2jjl07]

Thank you everyone for your responses....especially the inspiring story from you kaylasgram....your story is has helped me in making my decision and I cannot thank you ALL enough for your responses and help....i can see doing without counting calories but i cant see doing without bleu cheese and salads and not worrying about the calories!!
THANKS

[msanjelpie]

The more fat we can use as fuel, the less fat we'll have in our bodies. But, using more fat doesn't automatically lead to losing more fat.
The body primarily uses fat and carbs for fuel. A small amount of protein is used during exercise, but it's mainly used to repair the muscles after exercise.

For higher intensity exercise, such as fast-paced running, the body will rely more on carbs for fuel than fat. That's because the metabolic pathways available to break down carbs for energy are more efficient than the pathways available for fat breakdown.

For long, slower exercise, fat is used more for energy than carbs.

When it comes to weight loss, what matters is burning more calories, not necessarily using more fat for energy. And, the harder you work, the more calories you'll burn overall. Just because you're using more fat as energy doesn't mean you're burning more calories.

Exercising at lower intensities for longer periods will use more fat for energy. The more activity you engage in, the more calories you'll burn, and the easier it is to create the calorie deficit needed to lose weight.

Adding more muscle by lifting weights can also help with burning fat, especially if you're also dieting.

Anaerobic exercise burns more calories than aerobic exercise because each movement generates more force from the cells. Working at a lower intensity requires less quick energy and a higher percentage of fat is burned.

If you do work at a low intensity, you need to increase the time spent exercising to burn more calories. What matters most is the total number of calories burned. Fats are the more favored fuel during long, low-intensity activities.

Burning of carbohydrates increases in the 24-hour period after exercising. Eating carbs during the hour before exercise can reduce fat burning during exercise. You will burn more fat on an empty stomach. Especially in the morning upon waking.

Another good time to exercise would be immediately after weight training. The body burns a greater percentage of fat at a slow pace (or after about 90 minutes of exercise).

If you are on a low carb diet, the body has no choice but to burn fat during exercise, especially low intensity exercise carried out over a longer period of time.

[kaylasgram]

Iam sooooo very Happy that I was able to help!!!

If there is anything that I can do for you support, info ,etc please just send me a message & I will be more than happy to help you in any way that Iam able!!!

~Cindi~