Which Exercises Best Complement The Atkins Diet?
|If you have been following us for a while, you already know that we do not advocate for a specific type of diet. We value intellectual honesty and integrity by discussing different aspects of different solutions. One of the most talked-about is the Atkins diet, which is centred on a diet focused on protein, or at least the minimisation of carbohydrates.
Since we’re talking about a diet here, it stands to reason that most of the discussion that takes place relates to meal preparation and consumption. After all, this forms the core of this diet. That being said, if you want faster results, you will need to pair this with a good exercise program. Of course, you can learn about them from the Strategic Nutrition Guide and the Lifelong Fitness Blueprint. While you should absolutely get those, we’re talking about Atkins specifically today.
First of all, dear dieter, let’s talk a bit about exercise. We all know that it is beneficial to body, mind and soul. Some of its major benefits include losing weight, burning fat and boosting one’s metabolism. This is only the tip of the iceberg. It has been demonstrated that exercising daily can help your body eliminate toxins through sweat glands and lymph systems.
Now, let’s relate that to Atkins, which is essentially a low-carb weight loss program. One feature that needs to be considered for such diets is the regulation of blood sugar levels, which some exercises excel in more than others. Without exercise, your body isn’t configured to process carbohydrates successfully. Research has shown that sedentary individuals have extreme insulin reactions to even moderate amounts of carbohydrates.
This might sound a little unusual, but in a way, physical activity can teach your body how to process the carbohydrates in your diet. This also means that with regular and frequent exercise, your body can allow you to use more carbs over time more efficiently. It might seem weird that I’m mentioning this, but think about it in the long term – Atkins should not be used indefinitely, as an over-emphasis of protein might put strain on your kidneys and liver.
Okay, back to the lecture. For a bit of background, there are two basic types of exercise: aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise. They are not mutually exclusive, but form different functions. Aerobic exercise’s primary goal is to increase your heart rate. What this does is allows your body to consume oxygen more efficiently.
Some examples of this include slow jogging or cycling. Of course, if you haven’t done them in a while, it will be challenging to get into them. The best way to go about it is to start slowly first so that your body can acclimatise to it slowly. Need more help? The Lifelong Fitness Blueprint is your guide to it.
On the other hand, anaerobic exercise includes any activity that isn’t technically aerobic. These are the intense exercises that can only be done in short bursts. For example, instead of jogging, an anaerobic activity might be sprinting. Other more common ones are strength training. If you are new, grab a set of resistance bands from our store to get into it. Anaerobic exercises has many benefits too. You see, once you drop the fat, you’ll want to replace them with muscle. This will help you burn more fat, and the cycle repeats itself.
In summary, the Atkins diet should ideally be paired with both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. This piece of sage advice does not only apply to Atkins, but most other eating plans as well. If you really want to be serious, grab a copy of the Granite Fitness Masterclass, and thank me later. Check out these other links too:
Disclaimer: This site still has affiliate links, i.e., we get a commission if you buy from us. However, we removed them as of 2023 :)