Training for an for a person who is reluctantly vegan 4 times a year.

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hi!

My problem is this – due to religious reasons I fast (basically go vegan) 4 times a year for a few weeks, and also every Wednesday and Friday. I knew that training with the longer fasts would be hard, but I didn’t think it would be that bad. Basically I started doing the Bridge a few weeks into the fast, but then a few weeks later I noticed than I’m not only not moving up but I can’t even hit the weights I was doing while I was on LP. Also, all my joints were cracking way more and I got a cyst in my wrist. All of this while still compromisingly drinking whey protein every day a few times a day aiming at 220g+. I ended up losing about 5 kg of bodyweight in the end. Total suck, except the bodyweight part. I now weigh 220lb.

All of this got me thinking that since I’m not going to not fast, I should adapt my training in an optimal way to this problem.

My idea is this: 1. Do the 7 week Endurance GPP while fasting (this time will include the fast, plus a few weeks to ‘recover’ on a proper diet). Focus on maintaining strength and fitting into all of those 32" and 34" pants.
2. Do a short run of LP to recover strength to previous levels.
3. Do the Bridge.
4. Do any other intermediate thing (I was doing a mix of HLM/Texas method) until the next fast. My questions are:

  1. Is this reasonable programming for my predicament?
  2. If not, would hiring someone for some sort of consult make sense?
2

Whatagainst,

  1. I wouldn’t recommend this. You need to focus on not losing weight during these fasts.
  2. Probably not necessary
  3. Reasonable
  4. I wouldn’t recommend either of them as easier options than the bridge.

I think having someone to help manage your nutrition and training based on your results is also reasonable.

3

Awesome, thanks!

I’ll probably give the HLM template a go, not sure I’m ready for the 12 week one, and see how things go from there. And more peas and potato during fasts.