activity level on fast days

This topic contains 3 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by  simcoeluv 9 years, 1 month ago.

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  • I am new to this diet. I am an advanced exerciser although I carry 25 extra pounds of body fat. I am a female with about 145lbs.of lean mass so I’ve earned some great muscle over the 15+ years I’ve been lifting. I run, box, bike, weight lift, walk. I’m always doing something active. How much exercise should I do on diet days? I’m at an advanced level and don’t want to scale down completely but want results. Thank you!

    Have heard from a co-worker that it’s possible to do your normal work out.. but you’re probably not going to do it as well as you’re used to.
    All the literature suggests that you get better results for it though. Seems like the best option is just to try it oit and see.
    I’ve done a few decent jogs with sprints on fast days and I was fine. I’m healthy but not very fit, so if I can do it I think you’ll be fine :).

    In my experience exercising is a little tougher the day after a fast than on a fast day, but not enough to impair my ability to get a good workout. I always work out in the morning and never eat before doing so.
    You’ll have to try it and see if it affects you enough to need to change your routine.

    Hi Kelly and welcome:

    Generally speaking, on diet days (and before you eat and wait a bit on days after diet days) it is better to stay away from exercises that tax your glycogen stores (think running, sprints, lifting, general HIT exercises) and do instead ‘constant’, low intensity exercises like jogging or walking. Diet days tend to reduce your glycogen stores, but your body does not start totally relying on energy from fat for another day or two after so there is a period when your body just can’t handle drastic calls for quick energy like is required from lifting or running or sprints, etc. As a lifter, you may understand that after your body uses its energy from recent meals and glycogen, it then starts burning protein from muscles (before it starts getting most of its energy from fat), which is not a desirable outcome for a true athlete.

    Here are some general tips on 5:2:
    https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/

    Good Luck!

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