1. Exercise to Metabolize Carbohydrates
When you undertake a low carb diet like the Atkins diet, you reduce quickly your insulin levels. Exercise also affects the insulin response. According to the principles of a low carb diet, regular exercise allows the body to metabolize carbohydrates more easily without causing insulin spikes. Dieters who don't exercise receive insulin surges when they eat carbohydrates. In theory, an active and regular fitness plan changes the body's ability to handle carbohydrates. The Atkins Nutritional Approach (ANA) Food Pyramid indicates that only someone who exercises often can metabolize the occasional bread and grains. The pyramid allows a greater range of food options in relation to the amount of exercise.
2. Feel Good With Exercise and the Atkins Diet
According to the Atkins Diet, exercise changes your body composition, increases energy and makes you feel better. The key to success is developing exercises for losing weight that you can stick with and enjoy. If you hate to run, you're not going to stick with it. However, if you love to hike or dance, then you're much more likely to continue an exercise program. Consider your personality when choosing an exercise. If you're social, you might enjoy exercising with a friend or joining a class. If you crave quiet time, maybe an early morning walk, jog or bike ride can provide you with what you need. If you need variety, check out exercise DVDs from your library. You're halfway there with an exercise routine that you can stick with. If feeling good isn't enough of a motivation, consider this: Harvard University researchers followed 73,000 postmenopausal women and found that those who exercised briskly for two and a half hours a week had a 30 percent less chance of cardiac disease.
3. Raise Your Heart Rate
Aerobic exercise rewards you with many benefits, like getting your heart pumping and circulating oxygen through your cells. If you've been sedentary, you need to start slow and work up to a vigorous routine. The only thing that being a weekend warrior gets you is pain and a possible injury. No matter what your fitness level, stretching both before and after exercise is important.
4. Build Muscle Mass
Just as important as aerobic exercise is anaerobic exercise like strength training. The benefits to strength training include increasing your metabolism and a shapelier, tighter body. Women in particular benefit from strength training to prevent osteoporosis. Also, the high protein in the Atkins diets can be very acidic, which can lead to bone mass loss without the protection that strength training provides.
5. Make Time for Exercise
You're busy with family, work and taking care of your home. Frankly, you just don't have the time for exercise. Make time, because if you do, the extra energy will make it seem like you have more time. Run up and down the stairs at work on your lunch break or bike to work. Enlist exercise buddies to meet at regular times. Work out in front of the TV or start your day by rolling out of bed to exercise. You'll feel virtuous all day and may see quicker and better results with your Atkins diet.
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