Exercise During Cycles 1 and 2 of the 17 Day Diet
Should I Eat More if I Exercise More on the 17 Day Diet? This is a common question, especially during Cycles 1 and 2 of the 17 Day Diet.
Remember, in Cycles 1 and 2 Dr. Moreno instructs dieters to exercise low to moderate– roughly 17 minutes a day, twice a day.
In these two first cycles, you are allowed to eat liberal lean proteins and approved cleansing vegetables. So, there shouldn’t be a need to exercise more than the prescribed 17-minutes-twice-a-day.
While you are limiting your carbohydrate intake, your physical activity should be somewhat limited to what the book describes.
Exercise During Cycle 3 of the 17 Day Diet
Now in Cycle 3, the diet starts introducing additional carbohydrates such as high fiber cereals and pastas.
Your physical activity level should also increase to about 45 to 60 minutes most days of the week.
Your increase in carbohydrates should give you the energy you need to sustain such physical activity.
However, keep in mind that during Cycle 3 because your carbohydrate intake is increasing, your protein portions should only be the size of a kitchen sponge for each meal. Also, unlimited veggies is key in Cycle 3.
Final Thoughts on Eating More If You’re Exercising More on the 17 Day Diet
So, should you eat more if you exercise more on the 17 Day Diet?
Well, during Cycles 1 and 2 you should not be exercising more than 17 minutes a day twice a day — you are already allowed unlimited veggies and lean proteins, so eat up (but keep your physical activity low to moderate due to low carb intake).
In Cycle 3, you are increasing your exercise, but you’re also increasing your carbohydrate intake, so it should be a wash.
If you do choose to exercise more or harder than the diet recommends (as some of you do!), make sure you drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and if you feel lightheaded at times, try to schedule your workout around a fruit snack followed by protein.
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My thoughts are… if you are allowed unlimited protein and cleansing veggies… how are you to restrict your diet to only 1200 calories a day? Is that just an estimated daily calorie goal? There are quite a bit of calories in chicken breast/salmon/ground turkey.
Well, if you’re exercising more, you’re burning more calories. That should help you burn what you’ve eaten. Now with that said, the caloric intake for lean proteins is relatively low compared to other types of foods. The 1200 calorie/day rule has been something I’ve seen on other blogs, but I don’t ever recall seeing it in the book. If you have the page number, I would love to look it up.
There is no calorie rule on this diet! That’s what makes it so amazing. There are no calories to count or keep track of. No points system to follow. This is by far the easiest plan I have ever followed and I LOVE IT!!! It lost almost 40 pounds since 7/11/16. I just follow my book!!
Congrats on your 40 pounds, Pam! Yes, I agree – this diet is so easy to follow. It’s more of a lifestyle than anything!
I teach an hour-long, high intensity cardio fitness class 4-6 times/week, and I am finding on Day 7 of Cycle 1, my energy levels to get me through class are…..HORRIBLE! I’m incredibly physically fatigued about halfway through and really struggling. HELP!!! :P
Hi Andrea. Your workout seems to be too much for Cycle 1 and Cycle 2. Your issue is a prime example of why the doctor tells us to limit our exercise during the first two cycles. Exercise should be limited to 1-2 sessions of low impact exercise 17 minutes at a time. Your workout routine may be more appropriate for Cycle 3. However, if you really need to do this during C1 and C2, consider rearranging your fruit intake and a few protein/veggie snacks around workout time to see if that helps.
I bike commute to work and it comes out to 70 minutes a day of exercise. I choose to bike to work to save money and get ready for summer mountain climbing.
I plan on having food ready for when I get home. I find that I’m very hungry after biking home since it’s an uphill ride. I think that a half cup of chicken or tuna salad would be a “safe” snack. Thoughts?
I think chicken or tuna salad would be good, especially if you skip the mayo and use something like yogurt. Hope this helps!
I am on cycle 1, will more exercise impede weight loss? Or is it just a matter of seeing how your body handles it (feeling dizzy, fatigued, etc). I really want to go to the free hour-long Zumba classes that are in my area.
Heather, exercise during C1 should low impact. You can try to do the hour-long class and see how you feel. If you do this during the afternoon, maybe schedule your fruit intake before your workout.
Hi! I posted a question and it seems to have vanished. I’m starting C1 next week BUT I’m also training for a half marathon, including doing a 15K organized run next Friday. Protein & veggies won’t do the trick. My thought was to add in a banana or two and a PB&J sandwich to get me pumped up for the run and through it, but if you have other suggestions for things that other people have tried, I’d be happy if you would share.
Just wrote up my menu. I should be excited, but I’m panicking. :(
Hi there! Your first comment didn’t vanish – it simply hadn’t been approved yet! :)
I think your plan sounds just fine. I know others incorporate oatmeal into their routine, so do what feels best for you. Only you know your body and what it needs during training. Good luck!!