How Your Body Changes When Fasting - Ramadan Fitness #1

Ramadan is upon us!

My plan for Ramadan is to cover different aspects of fitness in Ramadan. To start, I’m going to go through some frequently asked questions I get. Hope this is helpful!

If you have any questions of your own, please feel free to reply to this message and ask - I personally read and respond to every email that I get from this newsletter.

Ramadan FAQ

Q: How does your metabolism change when you’re fasting?

A: Your metabolism will slow down a bit since you’re not eating as much (hopefully) and there are big gaps between when you’re eating. However, over the course of the 30 day period your body will adjust and it will be back to normal. That’s why the first few days are the toughest.

Q: Why do you get so sleepy by isha time?

A: If you’re fasting the whole day and you break your fast with heavy foods dense in oil and dried food, that's when you get sleepy. The best thing you can do, as tough as it may be to resist all the food, is to keep your iftar light.

Q: What should I eat to have more sustained energy throughout the day and evening instead of crashing hard after Maghrib?

A: Eat things like fruits, oats, protein , dates, and whole foods to avoid the taraweeh crash. Hydration is also very important, make sure to drink water!

Q: How do I keep my fitness gains? I’m afraid I’ll lose the progress I made all year.

A: Ramadan should be focused on spiritual gains. In terms of fitness, the goal for Ramadan should be to maintain fitness and muscle overall - this isn’t when you want to start bulking or cutting really intensely. As your body gets adjusted to the change in routine, you can expect to lose a few pounds, and that is okay. Your workouts should be focused on maintenance - high reps with low weights and consistency.

Q: What’s the best time to work out in Ramadan?

A: Everyone has their own routine and responsibilities, you have to do what works for you. I personally like to work out immediately after taraweeh, but this works for me because my work schedule is a bit more flexible and I don’t have to be in office at 7AM. If you’re going to work out while you’re fasting, make sure to take it easy and don’t push yourself too much - you don’t want to pass out in the gym because you went too hard and couldn’t drink any water.

Ramadan Mubarak!
Rafi Hussaini

In Case You Missed It

• Fasting and Fitness - Interview with Faris Khan

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