Hello everyone!
I know it has been..AGES since I wrote here, I am still kickin though! The new job has taken a tool on me and writing too often has become..exhuasting. Overall, I am doing ok. Now to the gest of it.
Within tw weeks Ramadan is approaching,and as in usualy, I like to plan things out just before so I don't fail. Unlike last year, this year I am working full-time. Thankfully, in Ramadan, hours gets reduced to 6 hours, instead of 8.
Ramadan, this year...is going to be really tough. First of all the heat is around 45C, and fasting hours (no food, no water, no gum) are going to be from 4:15a.m.-7:15-30pm. almost a 15 hours fast. & the window of eating is basically between 7:30pm-4a.m, and of course....since we have jobs (thankfully, I can g to the office as late as 11...I can stay up a bit late at night.)
So I need to know two things:
1) When is the best time to train with weights: (I read so many things - and most seem to say pe-iftar, the first meal to break the fast - but I am a disbeliever) Still need to know some facts, like why it's good and why it's bad.
Personally, I think the body doesn't have any energy or proper hydration to train one hour before breaking the fast. Yes some nutrients will get to the muscle as you break you fast, but how about breaking down your muscle while fasting? Also some studies (or so I read), suggest while fasting the body uses fat as a source of fuel? Please confirm.
2) When is the best time to do cardio (does intensty matter, too?) & why pre-iftar is better or post-iftar within two hours?
I'd appreciate as much tips as possible. I want to understand both sides, not for myself only, but to help others as well.
I am already planning to do what I did last yeat. Eat 4 meals, traing 2-3 hours after iftar (both cardio and weights). Keep eating clean, with mini-cheats. Worked for me last year I feel, but this year I am working, last year I was at home, freelancing.
Training during Ramadan
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
Re: Training during Ramadan
Some say the best time to workout is first thing on an empty Stomach. Personally I completely disagree. This can burn muscle, and has been known to cause dizzy spells for people and in one case a seizure.
I mean logically, why do something that can lower bloodsuger when it's already low?
Some say it's around 2-5PM, because that is when the body should be most alert, around half way between waking and going back to bed.
Some will do it in the evening as that's the best time owing to work commitments.
The truth is, the best time is what works for YOU.
The body uses Fat as a secondary energy source. Yes if fasting the body would do this as it would have no Carbs to use isntead.
A lot of people in the pro bobybuilding ranks sometimes go practically zero carb, as it encourages Ketosis, where you supposedly maximise fat burn.
The best time to do Cardio is as follows, in order of preferance
1. The day after weights.
2. Later on in the day, some hours after weights, allowing a gap for rest .
3. Straight after weights.
4. Before weights.
Also what is "iftar", I'm not au fai with that word.
I mean logically, why do something that can lower bloodsuger when it's already low?
Some say it's around 2-5PM, because that is when the body should be most alert, around half way between waking and going back to bed.
Some will do it in the evening as that's the best time owing to work commitments.
The truth is, the best time is what works for YOU.
The body uses Fat as a secondary energy source. Yes if fasting the body would do this as it would have no Carbs to use isntead.
A lot of people in the pro bobybuilding ranks sometimes go practically zero carb, as it encourages Ketosis, where you supposedly maximise fat burn.
The best time to do Cardio is as follows, in order of preferance
1. The day after weights.
2. Later on in the day, some hours after weights, allowing a gap for rest .
3. Straight after weights.
4. Before weights.
Also what is "iftar", I'm not au fai with that word.
Re: Training during Ramadan
Just add a little to what Boss has said.
The optimal time to train (especially with weights) is about 3-4 hours after waking, as your cortisol levels are higher in the morning and would give you more energy. It's also good to have eaten at least twice before training.
This is optimal, however optimal training and reality don't necessarily combine, so as Boss has emphasised, it's when you can fit it in.
Planning for your training, I would say it's going to be sensible to reduce the intensity as you're going to be more liable to fall into over training. Don't hit the gym too hard to try and maintain what you have, as I think you're going to be very hard pressed (no pun intended
) to make any gains over the Ramadan period.
Good luck!
Rich
The optimal time to train (especially with weights) is about 3-4 hours after waking, as your cortisol levels are higher in the morning and would give you more energy. It's also good to have eaten at least twice before training.
This is optimal, however optimal training and reality don't necessarily combine, so as Boss has emphasised, it's when you can fit it in.
Planning for your training, I would say it's going to be sensible to reduce the intensity as you're going to be more liable to fall into over training. Don't hit the gym too hard to try and maintain what you have, as I think you're going to be very hard pressed (no pun intended
) to make any gains over the Ramadan period.Good luck!
Rich
Re: Training during Ramadan
Oops. I think you guys have misunderstood what I said! Sorry!
Ramadan is basically a month where muslims all over the world fast, our fasting means abstaining from food, drinking, chewing gum..and aside from other things.
So unlike normal days where you would have eaten breakfast, the first meal (when we break out fast, iftar) would be around 7:15pm (at night). Also the fasting period starts from 415am (approx). So we're technically fasting 14-15 hours (with no food, drinking....etc, at all.).
So question here, in Ramadan, where we don't consume any food for 14 hours, is it safe to train BEFORE having eaten anything (and before would not just mean, morning, time, but also lunch and snack times)
Here's a normal day:
4:15am - fasting starts/prayer time
8:am people go start work. (no food at all)
12pm also prayer time, still no food, water...etc.)
2-4pm (when people would finish work (still no food., water...etc.)
then at 7pm, when the 4th prayer of the day, is when people would be allowed to eat.
I believe in christianity there is something similar, but no meat I think? either ways...in the above scenario....when would be bestto do weights (knowing you cannot eat or drink before 7pmish), and cardio?
Ramadan is basically a month where muslims all over the world fast, our fasting means abstaining from food, drinking, chewing gum..and aside from other things.
So unlike normal days where you would have eaten breakfast, the first meal (when we break out fast, iftar) would be around 7:15pm (at night). Also the fasting period starts from 415am (approx). So we're technically fasting 14-15 hours (with no food, drinking....etc, at all.).
So question here, in Ramadan, where we don't consume any food for 14 hours, is it safe to train BEFORE having eaten anything (and before would not just mean, morning, time, but also lunch and snack times)
Here's a normal day:
4:15am - fasting starts/prayer time
8:am people go start work. (no food at all)
12pm also prayer time, still no food, water...etc.)
2-4pm (when people would finish work (still no food., water...etc.)
then at 7pm, when the 4th prayer of the day, is when people would be allowed to eat.
I believe in christianity there is something similar, but no meat I think? either ways...in the above scenario....when would be bestto do weights (knowing you cannot eat or drink before 7pmish), and cardio?
Re: Training during Ramadan
I know what Ramadan is, I just wasn't aware of what Iftar meant .
In your case then, I'd say eat the 7Pm meal then about 30-60 minutes later workout.
.In your case then, I'd say eat the 7Pm meal then about 30-60 minutes later workout.