Ramadhan (fasting) and working out - how to? [Archive]

wmahmud

Jul 17th, 2011, 10:46 AM

So ramadhan (fasting) for muslims starts Aug.1 of this year for 30 days...during this time I want to continue working out (atleast keep pushing weights so I am not out of it for a month)..

Generally its no food, drink, or water from about 4:30AM (sunrise) - 8:30PM (sunset) daily so I wanted to know what tips people would give on how to get a daily (or every other day) workout in....

Also - i want the month to eat light and kind of detox..would a protein shake in the morning and night be a good idea? (i was thinking eas myoplex)

Can anyone (muslim or non-muslim) provide some thoughts, tips, reccomendations for the month and how to approach this?

(Normally I do Insanity and basketball for cardio and about 45 mins of weights at the gym 2-3 times a week)

Mike_wang

Jul 17th, 2011, 12:41 PM

Workout right after you eat.

pablonutribar

Jul 17th, 2011, 01:20 PM

I know it is your religion, but you know fasting (especially for long periods) is kind of unhealthy, right? The honest truth is that fasting for eight hours a day is going to have negative effects on muscle growth/maintenance. The "detox" thing is, by and large, a myth, and you should not use it as an excuse to eat lightly or not eat. Take a university nutrition course and you will learn these things.

xXxRasxXx

Jul 17th, 2011, 01:25 PM

wmahmud

Jul 17th, 2011, 03:27 PM

Fasting in islam is never unhealthy - if you are physically fit, nothing will happen to you

I know it is your religion, but you know fasting (especially for long periods) is kind of unhealthy, right? The honest truth is that fasting for eight hours a day is going to have negative effects on muscle growth/maintenance. The "detox" thing is, by and large, a myth, and you should not use it as an excuse to eat lightly or not eat. Take a university nutrition course and you will learn these things.

Therion

Jul 18th, 2011, 08:40 AM

I'd recommend against just consuming shakes while you're fasting during the day. Since you're not consuming anything for such a long period, you probably want to cram in a decent amounts of protein and calories during the times that you can.

Ramadan must be so much easier in Canada in the winter!

KevC

Jul 18th, 2011, 08:52 AM

Google intermittent fasting. Its actually quite healthy, in some people's views (including me)

fair_dealz

Jul 18th, 2011, 02:05 PM

It's what a lot of people seem to do, because the gym seems to be packed around half an hour after sunset, i think it's a good idea, to break ur fast with some light foods (fruits, etc.) workout, then have a dinner... it is hard in summer though, as u don't want to sleep right after...

Mr.Sea

Jul 18th, 2011, 02:51 PM

Fasting in islam is never unhealthy - if you are physically fit, nothing will happen to you

And if you're not?

Needinghelp

Jul 18th, 2011, 03:05 PM

This is going to be the hardest fasting of my life - well in terms of length.

Back in the winter when sunset was at 4:30 or 5:00 or whatever, I used to do Muay Thai and goto the gym after eating dinner when breaking the fast. Now that it's at 8:30 and I work full-time, this is gonna be a pain in the butt.

I'll still do my best to just workout after eating at sunset, so I'd say that this is the best method for you.

glover78

Jul 18th, 2011, 03:42 PM

here look at this link
its got great insight on what to do and what not to do during ramadan in terms of weight lifting and etc

http://stronglifts.com/ramadan-weight-lifting-training-build-muscle-lose-fat/

When To Lift Weights During Ramadan. Train fasted: 2 hours before you break your fast. This way you can eat several times post workout to help recovery. You also maximize your feeding window since you don’t spend it training.

Ummm no!! This is terrible advice. So you can't eat roughly from 5 am to approx. 9pm. So based on the advice you start training at 7pm after going through14 hours of having NO water/food/supplements in your system :facepalm::facepalm:
I've had friends who couldn't study because of the lack of water/nutrition in their system. I can't imagine doing any form of physical exertion without water/nutrition.
Wasn't there a case of some kid playing football and passing out due to dehydration since he was fasting?

Samir

Jul 19th, 2011, 09:40 AM

Hakeem Olajuwon played fasted during the NBA playoffs! Of course, he's a bit more of an elite athlete than most.

I think the answer depends on how well your body is able to "perform" fasted. I have friends who are somewhat endomorphic and are able to train mid-day, being fasted going into and coming out of the workout! Note that they all lost muscle using this approach though (duh).

I would try one day fasted, so you can pig out after training. If you feel like you can't "go", then have a small, light snack of fruits and maybe cottage cheese or a quick-digesting whole grain. Hit the gym within 30-45 minutes, and then have a huge meal after.

I would also consider a mid-day nap in order to make the day seem shorter and to use some of the "starved" time to rebuild. I don't mean a power-nap, I mean a 2-3 house snooze! Yes, it will make you groggy but you may need if if you're waking up at 4:30 AM, washing up, praying, and then going back to bed for like an hour.

If you think about it, most people already starve for 10 hours in a day by not eating after 8PM and waking up around 6:30 AM-7:30 AM.

glover78

Jul 19th, 2011, 02:19 PM

^ one of my Muslim friends told me that pigging out when the fasting breaks totally defeats the purpose of Ramadhan and fasting in the first place. Apparently with the fasting, you want to experience what the poor go through and have a better understanding of their plight. But once you start pigging out I guess this understanding goes down the drain.

Therion

Jul 19th, 2011, 05:11 PM

^ I had a Muslim client of mine come back 10 lbs heavier after taking Ramadan off from training. I couldn't understand how he gained weight on the fast, but he told me as soon as the sun goes down it's party time. It does seem kinda pointless to fast if you're actually ingesting more calories than normal, only in one sitting. Kind of reminds me of how there's a whole industry in Israel dedicated to helping Orthodox Jews work around the Shabbat rules.

wmahmud

Jul 24th, 2011, 05:48 PM

Am i looking to take a protein shake in the morning - or something else to help me through the day ? I want to get something good that will give nutrients and energy throughout the day

What are good options?

Sounds like best time to push weights may be after the morning meal within 1-2 hours.

globalc

Jul 24th, 2011, 09:17 PM

if i were you, i would just eat normally and tell everyone you fasted

muscle gains > religion

wmahmud

Jul 24th, 2011, 11:18 PM

Mr.Sea

Jul 24th, 2011, 11:38 PM

kodiaktfc

Jul 25th, 2011, 08:40 AM

Look up the warrior diet, it might apply well to fasting but I don't remember the specifics to be honest.

TodayHello

Jul 25th, 2011, 09:30 AM

Google intermittent fasting. Its actually quite healthy, in some people's views (including me)

+1 ..... fasting is not contrary to fitness benefits ......

Here is a product plug, but it covers the bases; www.eatstopeat.com

globalc

Jul 25th, 2011, 09:33 AM

^ religion > ignorance ...shows how strong you are in life

Thats like saying "cheat your way through life", im willing to miss 30 days of the gym if i have to, to perform a duty in life...all im looking for is advice from people on how to manage the gym (if possible)

i had a feeling you would get offended

religion may not be a priority in other peoples lives, nor does it imply ignorance (it may be the other way around..who knows)

happy fasting and bulking

KINGJAMES WITNESS 23

Aug 1st, 2011, 05:52 AM

Ramadan Mubarak to you.

I am going to be working out myself this Ramadan to try and lose some weight. Hopefully all works out well.

If you found any workout or protein shake, let me know through inbox. Thanks.

wmahmud

Aug 1st, 2011, 11:46 AM

I ended up getting myofusion - read good reviews, i take a scoop with water in the morning and will take one at breaking fast time

My plan is to hit the gym for 1 hour (weights only) at 7pm everyday so when i get home i can get some food in my body

Goodluck and ramadhan mubarak to all

Sirakoz

Aug 2nd, 2011, 07:58 AM

Plan your workouts in such a way that you're back home a bit before sunset, though that depends on your situation (i.e. do you have anybody cooking for you or are you doing the cooking yourself?).

For changes in workout from a strength training perspective:

1. Forget about cardio for that month, or limit it while reducing intensity.
2. Reduce your workout volume. If you're doing a 5x5 program, go down to 3x3 or similar. You can also go up in weights if you realize you can handle it after the first set.
3. Your goal should be to maintain strength. You certainly won't gain much of it.

wmahmud

Aug 3rd, 2011, 01:49 PM

Well I was able to do my full sets and 1 hour of gym yesterday - I went around 7:15..was home around 8:30..sunset was at about 8:41..so worked out well

It was a little harder pushing the last sets - but I did get through it

At the end, my mouth was very dry - not out of breath or anything, but some water would have been nice

Going to go again tonight I think..or atleast try...

Needinghelp

Aug 6th, 2011, 02:12 PM

I've been working out about an hour - 1.5 hours after breaking fast, with my full routine. It's not all that bad, but I could be doing more if I didn't fast.

But fasting teaches discipline and I love doing it. It teaches you will power and commitment and I encourage people to try at least 1 day of fasting.

How's it going for you OP? We're on Day 6 of Fasting now.

Suhayb217

Aug 6th, 2011, 03:21 PM

I break my fast with something light and go straight to the gym, be sure to pack up on the protein shakes as this will be your best friend during the month in order to avoid muscle loss. I find it a bit hard to work out during, so I just go right after sunset.

wmahmud

Aug 10th, 2011, 04:58 PM

I have been going 3 times a week 1.5 hour before breaking my fast..a little harder then normal..but still getting my usual routine in at the weights I have been pushing before I started fasting

I come home..break my fast..and have a protein shake right away

I don't have time to go after breaking my fast as I like to go for prayers..not going to miss that stuff just to get the gym in.