Can I? And should I do them together?
The short answer is – absolutely! Your body will access stores of energy (glycogen and body fat) to get what is needed while you exercise, so you don't need to fuel up before you exercise.
Fasting combined with exercise helps to support:
- Improved mental clarity
- Management of stress & anxiety
- Healthy blood sugar and insulin levels
- Healthy body fat metabolism
However – remember these two rules if you decide to exercise while fasting:
Rule 1 - Always listen to your body
If you find exercising while fasting easy – that's great, keep on going! Although if you feel unwell for any reason you should stop, rest and listen to what your body needs.
Rule 2 - Hydration is key!
During a fast, you are not getting hydration (from both salt and water) from foods so it's important to properly hydrate before and after a workout.
Remember
Always drink fluids before and/or after working out; if you are drinking water but find you need some extra help, these are some great options.
- A glass of water with a pinch of salt
- A cup of bone broth with salt to taste
