hi there ...
like most who have already posted, i also work out six days a week. i work full time and am working on my MBA at nite - so i take mondays off (one of the days on which i have class after work). i typically exercise after work, except for thursday (my only early AM workout).

i have been exercising for a looong time, so i now run about 6-7 miles a day (about an hour), followed by about 15-30 mins of biking, and then i typically lift one muscle group (a different group each day, then repeat the schedule the following week). i do about 10-15 sets of 8-12 reps. oh, and i try to throw in a pilates class here and there, just to mix things up and keep my core nice and strong.

i, too, find that exercise is ESSENTIAL. i am crabby and depressed if i'm not working out nearly every day. from my experience, weight loss and maintenance is about 80% eating and 20% exercise. i have learned that i CANNOT eat whatever i want simply b/c exercise religiously. for me, LC AND exericse are the golden ticket.

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Carrie
SBD since 9/12/2005
Re-started 5/8/2006
My new journal: Just Breathe

PQ, feel free to join us here:

http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/show...166#post237166

we track our daily/weekly/monthly exercise, and keep each other accountable. also, it's a very active thread and we can try to answer any other questions you might have.

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Carrie
SBD since 9/12/2005
Re-started 5/8/2006
My new journal: Just Breathe

I have to hop in here, since exercise is a huge part of my weight management and age-defying lifestyle.

Start slow, be consistent, and--most important--find something you enjoy. Nobody can sustain a routine they don't like, and when you hit that exercise sweetspot, you'll actually get addicted.

My suggestions:
--Try to find time first thing in the morning. I only ask 30 minutes of myself. Sometimes I do more--or two sessions--but 30 minutes is doable for just about anybody. First thing in the morning, you can control your time more easily, and you're DONE FOR THE DAY. That's a great feeling.
--Try some videos. For walking, I like Leslie Sansone--just about anything she puts out is easy for starters, but gets as intense as you want to make it. I also used Kathy Smith's March to Fitness a lot when I was very heavy. You'll find a lot of recommendations at www.collagevideo.com

Both cardio and weight (resistance) training are important for fitness, and will definitely help with weight management. But it's important to avoid counting "calories burned" as a way of adjusting your food intake. Y'know, you really can't "burn off" that extra helping of pork rinds. So...don't pay a lot of attention to those digital read-outs on exercise machines.

I used to exercise exclusively at home, and have a roomful of fitness gear and a lot of videos. However, I recently joined a YMCA near my home and am enjoying the classes and fancy equipment. All that said, here's a typical week at the present time:
Mon--Spin class at the gym (major cycling interval workout)
Tue--Body Blast at the gym (endurance weight workout)
Wed--Spin Class
Thu--Home workout, weights (eg. Jari Love's Ripped, Gilad Arms)
Fri--Home workout, cardio (step, Sansone, or other aerobics); I've also tried out the elliptical trainer at the gym, and that's a good cardio session.
Sat--running outdoors in nice weather; Body Blast and Step class available at the gym
Sun--rest or walk or skate; yoga (with video) when I'm in the mood

I like to ice skate, outdoors 3x wk in the winter, or indoors 1x wk in the summer. You can see I've got a lot of variety going on, with the convenience of home and a nearby gym. But back to basics: just start walking, a little every day. And then more. Get good walking shoes.

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

Sven....wow thanks!!!! April as always....=o] thanks for the advice, Dan...whoa! what a difference working out means, Carrie...thanks for the invite.
I am on Induction for the maybe the 7th time and I have the curse of not losing as quickly as I once did. I bet that if I got my rear in gear literally....lol that I would spark the weightloss and feel better and better everyday!
Thanks Everyone!!!!

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I am back!....
Atkins

Oh Barb! Thanks to you too hun.....:jumpgreen

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I am back!....
Atkins