I need help with my fasting!

**NewMuscle83** · 08-17-2008, 01:38 PM

Hello all,

Sep. 1st will be the first day of Ramadan. For those of you not familiar with the Muslim religion, it's an entire month of fasting, along with some other things. Everyday, for 30 days, starting from sunrise until sunset, one cannot ingest anything at all. This means, from about 5:30am until 7:30pm, I cannot have food, water, or anything that I can ingest at all. You also refrain from sex, partying, and most pleasures during those hours. Many may argue against it, but it is part of my religion that I have to follow by my choice, and has been done by, literally, billions of people for the past 1500 years or so.

My question, obviously being an athlete, and a person who cares about their body, I want to preserve my muscle and physique as much as possible. Last year when I did it, I lost a significant amount of muscle (and fat) and I don't want to experience it to that scale again. Obviously one logical solution is to simply switch my schedule by 12 hours, and do everything at night as I would do it during the day; however, I cannot due to my work schedule. So I need some help on what to eat during these times that I can, and I am awake.

Stats: 5'10.5", 195lbs, about 10% bf (if not less).

I appreciate all input and/or questions.

**novastepp** · 08-17-2008, 01:40 PM

what you said, is what i would do. shift. eat wehat you would during the day...at night.

and if u are fasting remember, caloric expenditure means activity as well. lay low. rest. minimal exercise during those times. then DEFINITELY lift and train at night when you can eat. lifting will help retain your gains.

**NewMuscle83** · 08-17-2008, 01:45 PM

Yea, the only problem with that is the fact I will only be up until midnight or so. I was thinking eating my first meal at sunset (7:30pm or so) and eating a meal every 1.5 hours after that; which will give me 4 meals total. What can I eat to make those meals as effective as possible, keeping in mind pre and post workout meals, as I will DEFINITELY not excercise or be very active at all during the day! lol

**gooer** · 08-17-2008, 06:22 PM

lol i took a college course on islam and all i could think the entire time was that a muslim person could never be a bodybuilder.

you could try waking up really early like 4 30 am and eating a lot of slow release casein protein (cottage cheese). otherwise i dont know man, i definitely couldn't do it.

**Phate** · 08-17-2008, 06:26 PM

i'm thinking a protein IV

**NewMuscle83** · 08-17-2008, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Phate

i'm thinking a protein IV

Nope, not allowed either! the whole point of fasting is to forbid urself from the luxuries the less fortuante cannot afford, and in turn humbling urself to feel with their pain. An IV, if one existed, wud unfortunately defeat the purpose.

**Phate** · 08-17-2008, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by 48volts

Nope, not allowed either! the whole point of fasting is to forbid urself from the luxuries the less fortuante cannot afford, and in turn humbling urself to feel with their pain. An IV, if one existed, wud unfortunately defeat the purpose.

damn, well i had to try

**B-Mike** · 08-17-2008, 06:47 PM

Well the truth is that month is gonna be harsh for youre body...no doubt about that.

But I would lift like 3 times a wk, for 45mins max, but train every bodypart, so thats a less amount of sets. And plan that workout as close to the first meal youre gonna be having, and that meal has to consist some sugars and protein. So that youre glyc depots are filled to some point.

But either you have great genetics, you have to face some muscle tissue breakdown.

**NewMuscle83** · 08-17-2008, 06:55 PM

yea, I've come to terms with the fact that I will lose some hard earned muscle, its especially disappointing since I'm just coming off a var cycle (talk about terrible timing and planning) however, I want to try to minimize the loss as much as possible. now are you saying I should do my workout immediately before or after my first meal?

**B-Mike** · 08-17-2008, 07:04 PM

If you can eat from 7:30pm, I would do it like this:

7:30pm 1st Meal (I would take some whey, sugars)
8:00pm Some complex carbs (oatmeal or so)
9:00pm Train
10:00pm PWO shake

And then continue eating by schedule..

I'd keep training not to intense, and short, youll not recover good enough.

And when the month is over, go 100% to get back that lost tissue.

**novastepp** · 08-18-2008, 05:14 AM

again, do what you have to do. but i think we are all at a consensus in that its going to be hard, but do what u can to make it through.

**mladja** · 08-18-2008, 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by B-Mike

Well the truth is that month is gonna be harsh for youre body...no doubt about that.

But I would lift like 3 times a wk, for 45mins max, but train every bodypart, so thats a less amount of sets. And plan that workout as close to the first meal youre gonna be having, and that meal has to consist some sugars and protein. So that youre glyc depots are filled to some point.

But either you have great genetics, you have to face some muscle tissue breakdown.

It's like some kind of triathlete workout.I use gym few times a week and work every bodypart in 3 or 4 sets.I cant get big muscle,but it keeps my strenght.What U eat is how U workout