This is an ‘unscheduled’ blog post – but I absolutely had to write this.
Yesterday, my Muslim Campers at my Transformation Camp in TTDI amazed me. Despite the fact that they were fasting, their energy levels were high – in fact, I’m almost certain some of them seemed EVEN MORE determined and focused than they usually are.
I have to be honest, that I did expect them to be a little on the lethargic side, but nope!! They were perfectly fine. And if you think we toned down the intensity of our workouts? Well no, we didn’t.
We actually kept the intensity of the workouts pretty much the same. In fact, the non-Muslim clients who aren’t on a fast told me that yesterday’s workout was one of the more intense ones!
At times, we gave the Muslim campers options, but they kept going strong.
Now this totally blows my mind and changes my perception on fasting and exercise because this isn’t what you read!
As a non-Muslim, and never having fasted in such a manner before… I had ‘presumed’ that they would be significantly weaker. This makes me really wonder now, when I read materials that keep telling you to ‘tone things down’, and to ‘go really light’. Of course, in a dehydrated state, one should certainly take those precautions, and this isn’t the time to be setting any world records… but like I said – what I saw yesterday contradicted everything you would read about the effects of fasting on exercise.
At 7:28pm yesterday, we all took a quick break, and we provided some dates and plain water for those who were fasting (yes, you’ll never see any junk food or cakes or sugared drinks here). Thanks Azrin, for sharing your watermelon with us and for helping me bring the dates from your supermarket, Presto.
To all my campers, both Muslim and non-Muslim – you guys totally ROCK.
Have an awesome weekend!
The DailyMuscle Blogger
Head Coach & Program Director, Body Transformation Camp
P.S. – Dear Campers, on Tuesday, 17th Aug, we are all headed over to Rasta TTDI for a ‘break-fast’ gathering immediately after camp, in our sweaty t-shirts! All campers are invited to come, and feel free to bring your kids, spouses, colleagues, (or anyone else willing to stand the smell of our sweat).
If you enjoyed this article, join 5,000+ other readers like you who get email updates (it's free)
This post was written by...
Noel Chelliah, ACE-CPT, ACE-LWMC, has been recognized as one of the Top Transformation Experts in Malaysia. No stranger to being overweight himself, Noel has gone through a life-changing transformation himself, from fat, to fit. In 2010, Noel founded the DailyMuscle Body Transformation Camp, which today helps hundreds of individuals exercise and practice healthier habits. In his spare time, Noel serves the community with various programs that promote a healthier lifestyle, and enjoys playing with his dogs.
My name is Noel Chelliah, and I’m a Transformation Specialist and founder of the 
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
yeah.. I was really impressed with them too and I really have to “kao tao” (salute) to them lah. With no food and no water (especially), their energy is like that high up even during fasting month.
And like I’ve told you, yesterday workout was one of the difficult one. I guess it all comes to mentality. Mind over matters, that’s what people said. Maybe I should try puasa one day and go to the camp. See if either I throw up or pass out. Renae said she was dizzy towards buka puasa time. Imagine that, a non-muslim said she’s dizzy.
Totally salute u guys!!! *kao-tao kao-tao*
I’m removing the cast this Sun, so… looking forward to see you guys next Tues. Missing camp! woohoo :)
It’s amazing how the human mind can influence the human body.
Yeah! workout during Ramadhan is not so bad actually. I was worried if I will get “pancit” during the camp but then it’s pretty amazing that we all managed to went through the training smoothly. The best part…we completed 200 squats & 100 jumping jacks…well done guys :)
@ ASh: the squats and jumping jacks plus bear crawls did me in… sampai this morning still ‘achey’ but me likes :D
@Ash, u mean u counted how many squats we did? wah…geng!
did we really get you guys to do 200 squats?? :-) well done to all especially those who are fasting!! we’ll have one new workout on tues :-D dont miss it!!!
:-)
Maybe can do 300 workout? cchheeaaa……
Booh Han : I knw u enjoy the pain…hahaha..well buddy! i like it too ;)
Adeline : i did! and that’s what Coach Herny said…haha
Coach H : TIGER Crawl…right? wondering what sort of pain this new crawl will cause us *wink*
Hi DM. Been a reader for a while d :) Am a muslim n it is a must for me to go to d gym every weekdays after break-fasting.at 1st my workout is just like d normal non-fasting day.but I realize tht I’m actually more energetic and I increase my resistance level.and when I do tht I realize tht I hv + my endurance. I only break-fast with 3 pcs dates n water.str8 2 d gym after my prayer n voila, nvr been ths energetic b4! I’ve managed to shed 2 kgs d 1st wk of puasa. :) another few kgs to my ideal weight :)
{ 1 trackback }