To exercise, or not to exercise during Ramadan!!! That is my question

     Even though it isn't part of my religion, I understand why I should increase my knowledge of various reasons that may stop people from working out. Or rather being able to distinguish between a real reason, and a made up excuse. The first one I want to look at is Ramadan. Why did I pick this one to do first? Right now I have a client that is celebrating Ramadan. I also have a few friends that are also celebrating it. Naturally my curiosity has pushed me to explore it.

     During Ramadan which lasts for a month, those who celebrate it have to fast. No I don't mean any of the Fast and Furious films. Fasting is when you don't eat. Anyone that has had to go in for surgery have a slight idea about this. Its a medical requirement before surgery, not to eat for several hours. This is to insure that your stomach is void of any foods. Fasting for Ramadan is quite similar. With the exceptions that it lasts for a month, you can eat before sun up, or after sun down. It is said to void your spirit of impurities, as well as your body. I've also been told the reason some religions celebrate Ramadon, is so they get a better feeling and understanding of the suffering of hunger a lot of people in the world go through everyday of their lives.

     Now that we have a slight understanding of this celebration, it's time to figure out if we should or should not continue with our exercises during this time.

     There is a lot of people that do celebrate Romadan who are conflicted by this very idea, and with good reason. A lot of people don't want to stop their routine of working out. It's something they believe in almost as much as their religion.

     You can find several of the points I'm about to make from http://www.dailymuscle.com/2007/09/12/exercising-during-ramadan/ . This article was written by Shazly Khan and published by Noel Chelliah.


     It is recommended by Mr. Khan to avoid high impact sports during this month. Avoid over straining or ignoring the messages from our bodies. If you feel dizzy or light headed, slow down, relax and wait for it to pass. Cardiovascular exercise is good during this time to lose that excess fat. Again, don't over do it though. Most exercises should be performed with in a couple hours of breaking fast. Weight training should preferably be done with in a couple of hours after breaking fast. Weight training during fast can affect muscle development, since you don't have the protein in your system. After you break fast, and before you do your weight training, make sure you have a protein shake. Also make sure you eat easily digestible meals. You will need that immediate energy boost from the foods for your workout.


     Avoid doing exercises too early in the day. This is a dangerous time. Your body is already lacking protein to fuel your muscles. Cardiovascular workouts too early in the day can lead to dehydration. Weight training too early in the day can lead to your body taking its energy from your muscles, which can lead to muscle atrophy. So just remember, if you celebrate Ramadan; do your workouts, whether they be Cardiovascular or Weight training as late in the day as you can. Again it is preferable to do cardiovascular within a few hours of breaking fast, and weight training within a few hours after breaking fast. 


     Keep Exercising & Keep Fit