How Important is Exercise?
 

do you feel it is absolutely necessary to exercise on a low carb diet?

:wave: Hello Cassie! That's a very good question!

Here's a thread started by Nancy LC last week that answers that question brilliantly in my opinion!

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=468584

Hope this helps!

Wishing you much success on your journey to a healthier YOU! :cheer:

I walk almost everyday. Last winter, I did weight lifting a few times a week, too. I'm not a gym rat and I stick to low-impact easy stuff. But I do push the pace when I walk to get my blood pumping to some degree. I didn't enjoy doing it at first, but once I made it a routine I found that I did come to enjoy it. These days, my day is not complete if I didn't do anything in the way of exercise.

When I eat LC, I almost feel compelled to be more active. I get fidgety if I sit around too much. I do it because it makes me feel good and improves my fitness. It is a health and diet companion. I'm not trying to burn off the fat. My diet does that. But I do think it can help me maintain a stronger metabolism so my diet can continue to do it's job.

The question is "important for what?" I lost 100 pounds without ever exercising regularly. I am now walking every morning. I only started about a month ago but I find I look forward to it. It improves my mood and I can't help but think it improves my health. So the question is "what are you trying to accomplish?". If you are only interested in weight loss than exercise does not seem to be necessary. If you are looking to improve your overall health, both mental and physical, than it probably is important. It really is up to you to choose what's important to you.

Jean

Hi, Cassie. :) For me, movement I enjoy and eating real food are part of taking good care of myself and feeling well.

The joy of moving is something grand, I think. Whether walking at sunrise and watching the birds, the leaves glistening in the colors coming in from the horizon, or dance exercises or restorative yoga, -- there are so many ways that moving lets in the joy of life.

I filled the bird baths and water feeders this morning and really enjoyed the early morning air. Carried around buckets of water and watered the plants. I did a round of my stretches and senior yoga, went for a stroll. Saw a neighbor and visited, strolled around and greeted a few folks in the neighborhood. Fresh air and sunshine, giving kindness in the neighborhood.

Good food, lovely movement, building good will, --- to me, it all fits together as part of nourishing ourselves and being a nourishing presence to others. :)

It's wondrously true that exercise increases insulin sensitivity, builds strong mitochondria, and improves oxygenation. Yoga increases GABA, and so on....

Just going for a stroll, or doing a few stretches, it all contributes to feeling well and cheery.

I have movement "treats" throughout the day. Sometimes, I have to be deliberate about doing them, but they are in my protocol, just as keeping my food plan. Keeping balance in life. I find joy in rising above that sluggishness and moving, just as I find beauty in abstinence in my food plan. :)

Hope that helps some. :)