How To

How to Exercise During a Fast

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(14 Ratings)

Exercise should be kept to a minimum during times of fasting. However, you can still actively assist your metabolism.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Understand that fasting is a time for the body to repair itself internally, and that exercise can distract your body's attention from the inside to the outside.

  2. Step 2

    Realize also that during a fast your body lacks many of the nutrients and calories necessary for a workout to be beneficial to your body, and therefore exercise can be detrimental during a fast.

  3. Step 3

    Avoid strenuous workouts or heavy labor during your fast. If you have a normal regimen you can't stand to quit for a few days, cut it down by more than half.

  4. Step 4

    Do light, low-impact exercise: walking, gardening, or light work.

  5. Step 5

    Do simple yoga exercises to help balance and stimulate your inner organs.

  6. Step 6

    Stretch and breathe. Do not underestimate the healing power of deep, conscious breathing.

  7. Step 7

    Develop and maintain a regular exercise schedule after completing your fast. Exercise is essential to proper nutrient absorption and triggers endorphins that help you feel good.

Tips & Warnings
  • Pregnant women and children should not fast.
  • Consult your healthcare provider before starting a fast, especially if you have diabetes, heart disease, ulcerative colitis, or epilepsy; if you are less than 18 years old or underweight; or if you are on any medications.
  • This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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