Catholics, fasting and training

Funny you should say that! The devotional said if for health reasons, it's necessary, juice is okay. If you HAVE to, a smoothie is the next option I feel like a smoothie is more "food-like", but also, I understand the pastor's concerns about not wanting people to drop from hypoglycemia. I think the understanding is also, if fasting is dangerous for you, don't do it. Jesus won't mind

Break it down between abstinance and fasting.

Abstinence from meat is required every Friday during Lent (and is the norm on Fridays the rest of the year) Meat flavored stocks are ok.

Fasting is required on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. At a minimal, fasting consists of one simple regular meal and two small meals/snacks during the day. Liquids, including smoothies, do not count as meals.

And as usual, a total fast from everything except water and medicine is required one hour before receiving the Eucharist.

(disclaimer: just my understanding, talk to your pastor or bishop to confirm)

Just like everything else with triathlons, it's a matter of priorities. It was suggested to me that I give up training on workdays during Lent to be able to attend daily Mass. Being that it came from someone I trust, I did consider it, really. I am working my training around fasting during Lent. I hashed out a plan with my priest that looks workable from here taking into account training and work. Ask me again after Easter.

For me, the most important aspect of the fast is to feel hunger, both to remind me of my hunger for Christ and of those people who are hungry for lack of food. Following the requirement that fasting allows for one simple meal and two small meals, I reason that there are many people who do manual labor to exceed the calorie expenditure of my training on less food, so some training (short duration, low intensity) on fast days is fine.

How much training are we talking?  If you are at about an hour a day, I think you'll be fine.  I probably wouldn't do more than that on a restricted diet. 

I think it's great that you take your faith seriously enough to ask the question about fasting and training.

And I'm sure that your parents are great people and love you very much. Probably not a good idea, though, to ignore any of the obligations of the church. Doing so might constitute grave matter. And as you know, grave matter is one of the three conditions necessary to commit a mortal sin, the others being knowledge of the matter and full consent.

I struggled with this same thing the first two years I did tris. I'm satisfied now that you can train safe and smart and follow the minimal church obligations.

Of course Espiscopit is choosing to go deeper with it, and that is a blessing to all of us.

Here are the obligations for Lent this year as prescribed by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops:

FAST AND ABSTINENCE AND OTHER ACTS OF PENANCE FOR LENT 2008

The Bishops of the United States prescribe, as minimal obligation, that all persons who are fourteen years of age and older are bound to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, on all Fridays of Lent and Good Friday. Further, all persons eighteen years of age and older, up to and including their fifty-ninth (59^th) birthday, are bound to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, while the other two meals on those days are to be light.

All the faithful are encouraged, when possible, to participate at Mass and to receive the Holy Eucharist daily, to celebrate frequently the Sacrament of Penance, to undertake spiritual reading, especially the study of the Sacred Scriptures, and to participate in parish Lenten devotions as well as Lenten education programs. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is especially recommended.

All are encouraged to participate in "Operation Rice Bowl", which has aided countless hungry persons here in the Archdiocese as well as throughout our nation and our world.

 

My take for yesterday was that I got 5 meals and I ate 5 meals.  But then after a 3 mile run, a lifting session - my egg omellette just didn't suffice - so at 10:15 I had half  PB sandwich.  So I really got 5 and a half meals in yesterday.

I don't feel guilty about it because I had the meal for my health - I was light headed and was planning an early morning workout.  I didn't grab a bag of chips and much away.  I didn't grab some cookies for a snack.

I'll follow the no meat on Friday's during lent.  And I'll avoid eating between meals on Good Friday.

I honestly don't know if I'm strict to the rules, but I live by the creed that religion is inherently between a person and their God.  I set my rules, God hasn't told me specifically he objects.  I'll go from there.

As for training - I don't see the two conflicting except for knowing you'll be eating fish as your protein on Fridays - but I have a rather narrow view of the world.