Its Ramadhan! Now What?

Yes! The month where you spend your lovely evening wandering around places called bazaar that offers a great assortment of delicacies. Foods that you don’t get to see very often will be around.

You have been fasting all day and obviously some nice kuih muih won’t do you any harm, right?

Obviously, we are all fasting to perform our duty as Muslims. There are also non-Muslims who decides to fast as well just to show commonality and respect to the holy month of Ramadan.

But how does fasting affect your daily routines when you are undertaking an exercise or a diet plan? Most general advices about exercise cannot be applied during this month! You cannot eat five smaller meals to boost your metabolism rate. You cannot go to a breaking fast event with a full stomach. You cannot really run for an hour in the morning/evening like you used to. People might see you in suspicions if you run (not saying that they are not doing it already!).

So, what should you do?

Perhaps you just started your weight loss plan few weeks ago. You are now eager to see some changes on the scale. But all of a sudden, it is fasting month already? You started asking questions like how am I going to run like I used to everyday? I have a suggestion.

You need to realize that weight loss is a process. I mean, it doesn’t happen overnight.

Taking a month rest from your exercise regime should not be a problem. You have the remaining of eleven months to push yourself and sweat in the gym and hitting on the trails. Take Ramadan as a month where not only you give your full devotion to Him but also giving a month holiday for your body. Hey, performing tarawih prayers is a form of exercise as well! Remember to have a clear conscience though.

Even Kevin would take a month off his hectic gym training during fasting month so that he can unwind and relax his body.

So why shouldn’t you take a rest?

Just because you haven’t eaten the whole day doesn’t mean you have to put everything on the table in your mouth!

It is perfectly understandable (I was like that as well!).

The temptation is just too much isn’t? But this is where you will know whether you can practice self-discipline. You need to consciously control your impulses. Once you heard the Azan, say the prayers, eat few dates with a glass of water.

Eat slowly, chew the (put your favourite food name here) properly before swallowing and stop immediately when you are full. If you’re hungry, eat again later.

Is that so hard? After all, isn’t this what Ramadan is all about? Controlling your own personal temptations?

I wish all readers a blissful Ramadan!