Should You Exercise While on the Ketogenic Diet?

Exercise is an integral part of being healthy, not just for weight loss, but for heart health, 
joint health, and being strong and fit. If you are wondering if and when you should 
exercise while on the ketogenic diet, this information is for you.

Benefits of Exercise

One thing to remember is that exercise is always going to be healthy and 
recommended, no matter what type of diet you are on. With weight loss, about 80% of it 
is diet, and 20% is exercise. Can you lose weight on keto without working out? Of 
course you can, but you will be missing out on a lot of benefits. Exercise has both 
physical and mental benefits for you. Here are some to keep in mind:

It helps you burn more calories and fat
You can get toned and fit with weight training
You build up your endurance
Exercise increases your energy daily
You can relieve stress, anxiety, and tension
It boosts your metabolism
It is good for heart health

Common Challenges to Overcome

With that being said, you might find that doing keto and exercising is a little challenging. 
This is why you should start switching to the ketogenic diet first and only exercise when 
you feel ready. If you try to do too much, too quickly, it not only leads to stalls faster, but 
you can get overwhelmed. This is often what leads to giving up shortly after starting. 

You might also discover that your energy levels are low or you don’t feel well in the 
beginning of keto. This happens when you first enter ketosis and have not yet perfected 
your diet or added in enough electrolytes. Focus on that first before you start a workout 
program.

Tips for Exercising While on Keto

If you are going to add in exercise, at least wait a few weeks after starting the diet. Get 
your electrolytes in check and make sure you have good energy levels. When you do 
start exercising, start slow, and only increase it when you feel ready. There is no need 
to rush and start a rigorous CrossFit routine on day 3 of your keto diet. 

There are many reasons to exercise when you are on the keto diet, but don’t feel like 
you won’t lose weight because you don’t workout 2 hours a day, 6 days a week. 
Moderate exercise is perfectly fine.

