I was just wondering how you low carbers felt when you started to exercise without the old recomendation of "carbing up" before workouts. Protien Power says to work out on an empty stomach and since I'm still in my first week, my energy is zilch so I figure I'll give it a couple more days before I get back to my strength training.

I never did carb up before exercise. But I also do not exercise on an empty stomach. I tried that and since I am/was hypoglycemic it would make me really sick. I usually eat a protein snack AFTER I exercise.

And for me... exercise GIVES me energy. It takes about 3 days of making myself do it when I'd really rather sleep the extra half hour... but once I do it -- it is addicting.

Michelle -- 208/196/140
Started Atkins 9/03
On my way to finding the new me.... WATCH OUT WORLD!!

I try to make a point of eating something before exercising - at least a hard boiled egg, shake, or an oz. of nuts.

~~~Teelbee

174 (Mar. 2002, highest weight), 164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
174/132/137-134
remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic

I was a daily exerciser before I turned to LC--and always exercise first thing in the morning. I'm out of bed and into my routine before my brain has a chance to protest.

I drink water before, during, and after--but I don't eat anything. I've never had a problem with energy, although (with all the conflicting "science") I'm not sure what my body is burning at that hour of the day. I can only hope it runs out of salad carbs from the night before and gets right into the fat stores!

Barb L.
Started Atkins January 2003
162/141/130

I'm with Barb. If I exercise first thing AM, I don't eat - just can't do it, I feel gross. I have found no adverse effect on how I feel either. But, if I exercise at any other time, I usually scarf something beforehand, especially if my most recent meal was more than two hours before starting exercise.

Jen
175/130/120

It takes some getting used to depending on how strenuous or prolonged your exercise session is. In general my walks are between one and two hours long. I find eating a meal an hour to ninety minutes before I start helps me feel better, especially in the latter part of the walk. The one time I did try extra carbs, but only 20, I had a great walk and tons of energy. My speed was higher than normal as well. But it just wasn't worth blowing all those carbs on one meal. and as Michelle said, after a while you get used to it and the energy is there. It does become addicting.

Rob
310/243/180

I get up early 4 x a week and swim, and I really can't eat anything before I swim or I am burping up my meal in the water, not very comfortable. I had my exercise down before starting this WOE, and that was my norm then and I continue it today. I will take two quarts of water with me and drink them during the workout and after when I am in the Steam room. On sundays I work out at 1pm (when the pool I go to opens) I have to make sure that I eat at least 2 hours before I go or I will have the burps...so, you need to find out what your body can take and not take...every body is different.

carolyn in texas
started 8/11/03
327/303/150

pokadot - It's actually a great benefit to you to not eat before exercising. As an LCer, your carb/glycogen is already extremely low, and not eating adds to that state. When you start exercising, you are burning fat immediately instead of having to burn off any stores of glycogen.

I did not have enough energy to exercise during the induction phase, but I began the 3rd week and saw a fantastic increase in energy almost immediately. I have always exercised first thing after waking up, before eating. I do drink 16 - 20 oz. of water beforehand so I won't dehydrate, but that is usually plenty for me. I eat immediately afterward, making sure I'm getting a good amount of protein to avoid muscle loss.

John

July 03, 2003
202/172.5/170

I'm with Barb on that - drinking water before during and after I'm on the treadmill in the morning, but always on an empty stomach. I also don't eat anything for 1 hour afterwards. I've read and heard many things about the benefits of waiting at least 60 minutes after you've worked out to eat.

194/179/125 (5'4)

And I'm gonna make it this time!