Exercise while fasting?

[julesmoz]

Is it a good idea to exercise during fasting? How intensely, and what type? I know, of course, to "listen to my body", but does anyone have any scientific input on this?

[Sheryl]

The general advice I have heard is that when fasting you are trying to heal your body and it's best to rest completely (lots of sleep, no work, no readying, limited exercise). At the two places I've been to that supervise fasts that have allowed only a little rebounding and possibly some gentle walks. Your body will use the extra energy for itself.

Doug Graham talked about this when I was at RawStock. He said a couple of days really fasting (full rest only water) was better than much longer if you didn't do this (eg did a juice 'fast', exercised, didn't rest).

I did also see an article recently by a well known raw food speaker that said exercise during fasting was fine if your purpose was to lose weight, and you didn't have any major healing to do. Personally I keep quiet and let me body work on itself.

Cheers,
Sheryl

[mrobinbird]

Hi - I just did a 20 day juice fast (wanted to do 30-40 day) and tried to excercise and found that I was too weak to excercise. Everybody is different though - but I agree, fasting is about healing so it's probably best not to excercise except a walk around the block to get some fresh air. Whenever I did excercise, row or fast pace walk I was so soar the next day and very weak. I stopped the fast b/c I wanted to excercise and not feel weak anymore.... I know I accomplished alot with my 20 day juice fast - I'm not obsessing about food anymore which was my ultimate goal for the fast.

[heabrook]

I think everyone has different experiences.. but generally you should just rest when you are on a fast. You might want to consider doing some light yoga.. it would stretch out your muscles, but not be too strenuous on the body during the cleanse.

[greeninlosangeles]

I would just go for a walk- nice comfortable pace walk.