The same thing happened to me, right around the same time. I actually would start to get irritated if I couldn't exercise.

Hi Ipers,
I am on Week 3 of IP. I am ready to resume working out. I have read the post about working out in the "Fitness Zone", 60 -70% of my HR. I have my HR monitor, so I am ready there. My questions concerns extra protein when I work out. Should I take extra protein on my work out days? If so, should I take it before or after my workout. I was thinking about using the EAS AdvanteEdge carb control protein shakes. Any comments/suggestions?

You are so right! In fact we are more prone to dehydration on this type of diet so, becoming more thirsty is highly possible!

Thanks but, I was just repeating what Elizabeth taught me! I hope it goes well for you.

There is actually and athletic protocol for people who were very active before the program and plan to stay active during it.

Yes, I did the same thing! I was told to not exercise, so I didn't, BIG mistake in my opinion. I did walk a little more but, I would have preferred following my bodies suggestion to move more!

I am preparing to go back to a boot camp but am doing exercise. I was told by a new coach, , to eat a extra protein packet immediately after exercising.


I think your suggestion is a good one.

My coach said no excercise the first two weeks. I'm finishing week one tomorrow and I've listened. Although I've lost five pounds so far, I really miss working out! I did spin class and sometimes ran. I want to start back, but she was saying that I should lay off because it can be detremental to my weight loss.
What does everyone else think? What's your experience been?

Probably 100 of the 187 post below are about this very issue.

Lay off for at least 2 weeks and in the mean time glance through the posts here. There's no single answer, depending on what level of exercise you were at before you began IP -- except to keep your heart rate at 50-60%. It's worthwhile to see the various pieces of advice.

HI Nursemel,

I've been working out since day one and do the majority of my exercising first thing in the morning. I don't eat anything before hand because of meds I need to take on an empty stomach. Which means I end up drinking my breakfast protein shake within 30 minutes of finishing my exercise routine. When I work out in evening, I may or not have an extra 1/2 portion of a protein shake. It just depends upon my energy level and what type of exercising I'm going to do. For me, listening to my body and acting accordingly is what I try to do. So if that means having extra protein (either in the form of a shake or lean meat) I'll have it. When I was running/biking, I would even occasionally have almonds (5-8) IF i felt my body needed it. (Since I haven't been able to run/bike for a while, I haven't had the almonds.)

One thing I ALWAYS do, regardless of when I work out: I drink EXTRA water - not just the normal amount of water I need to consume in a day. And I drink it before, during and after working out.

So... my advice: listen to your body and then decide if you should have an extra protein source before or after working out. There are so many variables; when you've eaten, how much water you've consumed, the type of exercising you're doing... it's important to consume enough protein to cover your daily needs and it's also important to cover the needs your emerging muscles will need. Talk it over with your coach, let him/her know about the type of exercising you'll be doing and then decide what is going to be best for your body.

Enjoy working out!

Thanks for the advice. I usually work out first thing in the morning. I too take medication that requires an empty stomach. So this morning I just had coffee, then the EAS protein drink. So far it worked out pretty. I had the cripsy cereal once I got to work. I will see how that works out this week.
Thanks again

I've been on vacation in Colorado for 9 days, so I'm a bit behind... trying to play catch-up...

No, you're not alone... this is exactly how it worked for me... the couple of times I stopped exercising, the diet continued to work, I was still losing inches, but I wasn't firming up... I just like it so much better when I'm exercising, this 61-year-old body would probably look like a prune by now if I hadn't been working out...

Keep up the good work!!!..

YES!!!.. that happened to me too... I usually save my workouts 'til about noon, so I can have my lunchtime protein shake right after, but some days, I just want to exercise so badly in the mornings, I can hardly wait... isn't this a great problem to have!!!..

As I said above, I usually have my lunchtime shake immediately after exercise, but there are "experts" (those guys at GNC) that say to have a shake before & one after working out... I haven't tried it that way, so I don't know if it'd be advantageous or not... the only advice I can give is try the different ways & see what works the best for you... good choice on the EAS...

Great advice!!!.. you always come through for us!.. like you, I'm drinking water all through my workouts...

hugs

From Yahoo Health:
hugs

Has anybody done the Couch-to-5K program?.. I haven't run for exercise in many, many years, but I'm thinking of giving this a try...

The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan
"Our beginner's running schedule has helped thousands of new runners get off the couch and onto the roads, running 3 miles in just two months."

hugs

I've done couch to 5K before I started IP. I really enjoyed it. I've always walked 5K runs, but after doing Couch to 5K I was able to jog the whole time. I'm sure I could have run, but I'm a little on the top heavy side, so I just jogged. They also have the half marathon program out too. It's what I will start with when my IP coach says I can exercise.

Thanks rubyh!.. I'm glad to hear from somebody who's tried it... I plan to start the program Monday, if the weather cooperates!.. I'm not so gung-ho about running yet that I'd do it in the rain...

hugs

I love, love, love running in the rain! Maybe it's running through the puddles which takes me back to my childhood of stomping in muddy puddles. Or maybe it's the rhythmic falling of the rain which helps my pace and keeps my head clear. Whatever it is, running in the rain is my favorite.

On a serious note; for me personally, I exercise regardless of what the weather is doing - raining, snowing, freezing cold, sunny... If I let the weather dictate my getting outside to exercise - and using it as an excuse to not exercise - then I'm cheating myself. For me, it's the same as saying something like, "an extra tsp. of protein powder, oil, or a few nuts isn't going to make a difference." Well, those little extras/or deviations have a negative way of adding up. When it comes to exercising, if I don't do what I had set out to do the day before, then I feel bad with myself. Plus, it's too easy to say, "today I won't run/walk/wog/bike... because of the weather, but I'll definitely do it tomorrow." But if the next day is bad weather wise, then what? Slacking off is too easy of a habit to get into.

Gosh, this is sounding really mean of me. It's not meant to. I'm just trying to share how I've found, with me personally, if I slack off it's harder to get back on track. The weather is always going to be an issue of some sort. Instead of letting it work against me, I take it for what it is and deal with it. Plus, I have invested $$$ in really good athletic performance wear - which makes a huge difference in your comfort level when working in inclement weather.

Do give running in the rain a try. It really is a blast - especially when running trails! Just don't run when there's the potential for lightning - that would (shockingly) not be good...

Please keep us posted as to how the Cto5k goes. I'd love to hear about your progress.

Around here, I wouldn't get to use rain as an excuse very often... don't worry, I didn't think you sounded mean at all... I appreciate all the help I can get... when I mentioned rain, I guess I was thinking of all the lightning that usually goes with it here in west Texas, rather than the getting-wet part... just last week we had a terrible thunderstorm, lightning crashing all around, high winds, large hail, turbulence in the clouds... I've looked at the Yahoo weather page & sunny skies are forecasted for Monday, so I'm committed!..

Thanks for the encouragement, you always come through for all of us, & I really appreciate it... & YOU!!!..

hugs

Whew... sometimes when I post things I'm so afraid I've written my thoughts out poorly and that it'll come out all wrong/be taken the wrong way....

Aren't thunderstorms/lightning storms spectacular displays of Mother Nature's wrath. Gorgeous to witness, but the aftermath is devastating.