With a fasting period between sunrise and sunset it is important to understand the risks and ways in managing your energy levels and activity levels during the Ramadam month.
When exercising we know it is important to be able to feel your body effectively regardless of your goals for fat loss or strength building which is why Ramadam can pose some challenge to your normal activity and fuelling routines.
So should you exercise? The answer simply is yes! But this will depend on you and how you feel in yourself. Of course if you aren’t used to exercising and you looking to take up a new sport, this may not be the most ideal time to get started as it would put a lot more stress on your body and your recovery could take longer between sessions initially. However if you are used to regularly exercising then you should go ahead and keep up your routine. You may wish to lower the intensity of your training during this period to reduce the risks of blood sugar levels dipping to the point of fainting or light headedness.
Perhaps this may mean that instead of pushing yourself to complete daily HIIT workouts, you make the change to incorporate weight training instead.
Some points to consider before exercising include:
– Planning your workouts carefully and don’t over exert yourself – This means trying to maintain your current level of fitness/strength rather than pushing yourself to improve too much during sessions
– Choose nutritious food and energy rich foods for when you do eat, this way you will be able to fuel workouts and reduce risk of big energy dips and sugar levels dropping suddenly.
– Think about the timing of your workouts so that you can plan your training around your meal times.
– Listen to your body! – Some people find that they actually feel more energised and less sluggish during Ramadam, however some days may feel like you have no energy at all. So listen to your body and remember it is ok to take it a little slow or a rest day on some days.