What do people think are the best exercises for those on VLCD's?

[mikey]

Hi all,
I was just wondering what exercises people think work best on VLCD's such as LL.

As I see it there are several options - all of which can be combined, but which do people think have the best results for a) continued weight-loss whilst on the diet, b) muscle toning, c) muscle building, d) general health


The different fitness regimes seem to be:

1) walking, cycling, swimming (inc running machines and cycling machines ertc.)
2) doing the LL exercise plan
3) weights / weight machine
4) isometric exercises
5) .... Wii fit

I reckon it is a combination of all of the above if possible, but am struggling to fit much into my day. I have cycling machine, rowing machine, treadmill, weights, and various other contraptions that pretty much gather dust as i do not have space for them to all be used together.

What do you do - what works best for toning up the muscles and removing flab at the same time?

[Tange]

Hi Mike,

If I am to understand correctly we do not build muscle as such on LL because of the low calorie intake.
I do walking (or did until I sprained my ankle) Incorporated it into my day, by getting up earlier and walking to work about 45mins to an hour and then doing the same in the evening. I had much bigger losses doing this. I can see now that I am not exercising how the losses have slowed down.
If you have those machines why not use them. I did some research and found a whole host of medical papers on VLCD's which were very interesting (wish I had kept the link) according to that low impact exercise such as walking and weights were the best.
My idea with exercise is to make it habit I don't care what I do but I need to know that come August (when I hope to go into RTM I will be going to the gym 3 times a week and walking atleast 4 times a week)

I suppose what I am saying is do some form of exercise in the time that you have.

See give me a chance to talk and I talk too much.

T

[Tange]

Have a look at this website there are some very interesting articles on VLCD's.
Selection of appropriate exercise regimens for wei...[Int J Obes. 1989] - PubMed Result

[mikey]

Thanks Tange - some good points.

I want to make exercise a habit too - I have done so before and hope to do it again soon!

By building muscle, I guess I was really thinking of protecting and toning it whilst on LL, but building it back whilst on RTM.

I know that lean muscle burns more calories than fat and therefore raises overall metabolism, but I also understand that the diet is very limited in protein for this. It is probably why If I have urges to eat, it is pretty much all around protein.

I have done some isometric exercises over the last few weeks - and they hare helping tone up muscle - also they can be done very quickly and some of them when working or watching TV. I have also been on the Wii fit and the treadmill, but the treadmill is so boring!

I am also now slim enough to use the new exercise bike I bought as a silly price in Tesco a while back, but which has a max weight of 15 stone so i will probably build that at the weekend and get pedalling!

As I think of it, I really should get back in the habt of a cycle ride 2-3 times a week. So much to do - so little time :-)

[Tange]

I was just thinking to myself, six months ago I would not even consider running for a bus and listen to me now, gym 3 times a week

I have decided I want a toned stomach, I am lucky enough to have lost all the fat around my midrif so my ab exerciser is working overtime. Will be much better to have a six pack than a barrel

[mikey]

Have a look at this website there are some very interesting articles on VLCD's.
Selection of appropriate exercise regimens for wei...[Int J Obes. 1989] - PubMed Result

Thanks Tange - very interesting, do you know ow I can view the full articles as I can only see the abstracts?

[mikey]

I was just thinking to myself, six months ago I would not even consider running for a bus and listen to me now, gym 3 times a week

I have decided I want a toned stomach, I am lucky enough to have lost all the fat around my midrif so my ab exerciser is working overtime. Will be much better to have a six pack than a barrel

LOL - you reminded me that I have got one of those too - must dust that out too!

My tasks are abs and pecs - these are the most important for me and my self esteem, but I have noticed that i need to work on my butt for the fisrt time ever as it seems to have disappeared (probably the reason that I can easily get into 32" jeans now). It also reminde me of an elephant's bum as without tone, it has sagged a bit :-(

[Tange]

Lets not talk about bums mine is also sagging. Its rather depressing but hey ho.

I had to laugh it mine looks like and elephant bum too just a lot smaller thankfully.

[mikey]

LOL - mine is smaller too - fortunately. I had a friend (lady) laughing yesterday when I explained that I was rather elephant-like (at least in the bottom area!).

[toller-girl]

I'm pretty sure you can build muscle on a VLCD. I was doing loads of resistance type stuff and I definitely noticed an increase in muscle.

[mikey]

Thanks for that TG. I guess with the additives in LL foodpacks it is possible to build some muscle but I am not sure if there are enough proteins and essential fats to build much of it - any ideas anyone?