If you have ever fasted you know that it can be seriously challenging mentally as well as physically! But for me the wholistic benefits are amazing and I recommend fasting a few times a year if possible, just to give your body a little break, sharpen your mind and strengthen your spirit!
I’m sure you can imagine that exercising whilst fasting just adds to the physical and mental challenge. Mind Over Matter is definitely a prerequisite.
Mind over matter – suggests that physically we are capable of a lot more than our mind sometimes gives us a credit for. I see this in my Fit Mammas classes all the time, I can always get a few more reps out of students who initially say they can’t! The mental restrictions we place on our training or life is tremendous.
Anyway, as I teach in mosques and conduct women only sessions, many of my participants are Muslim and during Ramadan many still fast and exercise. To say they are inspiring is an understatement!!! Although initially I responded with ‘you must be Kray Kray especially as it a dry fast!!!’.
However after calming down and trying it myself, I realised not only that it can be done, that actually and quite surprisingly I had more energy (MY Fast included having 1 meal only in 24hrs but drinking water throughout). So if you enjoy exercising and fasting it is possible to do some light exercise depending on the type of fast as long as you apply caution and common sense!
I now intermittently fast (16hrs) so enjoy the benefits of exercising on empty stomach regularly and really enjoy the energy and light feeling. It gives me wings! So if your fasting and would like to exercise, I’m no expert but my tips would include;
- Keep yourself well hydrated. If you are not drinking water on your fast, once you break your fast, the minimum consumed should be a litre of water, spread evenly during the break-fast. Especially fluids containing electrolytes.
- Stick to lower- intensive training – that is no cardio or high intensity exercises such as running, burpees etc. instead try yoga, walking, Pilates, Core, Dancing.
- If possible keep your exercise nearer the time you break your fast, maybe an hour before, to reduce hunger pangs and energy loss (aim for 30mins exercise initially which can be spilt over the day if preferred).
- Consume smaller but high energy foods after breaking your fast, food and drinks that will assist your body e.g. smoothies, coconut water, water based fruit & vegetables (melon, cucumber, celery), protein, soups try to avoid white food (rice, potatoes, pasta) that can spike sugar levels and fried food!
- Listen to your body, you will not feel the same everyday, so rest or stop when you need to especially if you feel dizzy, faint or are taking medication or have any medical/health conditions.
- Vary your training routine, walk one day, stretch the next etc. Don’t overdo it and also include rest days!!
Here is a message I received from one of my beautiful Muslim SiStars who wanted to share her experience.
“Assalamu alaykum my dear fit sisters!
I hope your Ramadan is going well Insha’Allah. I don’t know about you but I have to admit that I have been quite lazy so far regarding exercising during Ramadan… Thinking that I would be too tired, that I might faint, that I would become dehydrated, the list of excuses goes on and on…. But a little reminder from our beautiful and inspiring Naomi that she is still training some sisters at this time of fasting got me thinking differently, got me to change my frame of mind and I thought to myself: mind over body🤔.
I remembered her saying that we should try to exercise just before iftar (and my hubby said the same too!) so I pushed myself last night, took out my yoga mat and started with a light jog on the spot….followed by different exercises on the floor that we do in our Boxexercise class…finishing with sun salutations. Alhamdoulilah I managed to do 30 minutes and would have gone on for longer if it hadn’t been time to set the iftar table! It was nowhere as bad as I imagined it to be… I didn’t feel thirsty, I didn’t feel faint… I felt in control, I felt stronger and I felt a victory of my mind over my body. I can’t wait to do it again tonight Insha’Allah and maybe for a bit longer 😉
Why am I saying all this sisters? I am not looking for praise. I just wanted to share my experience so that maybe, if you happen to be in the same mind set as I was, you can realise that you can do it too Insha’Allah! Even 20-30 minutes exercise will keep us fit and strong Insha’Allah… Ready to face Naomi’s class after Ramadan inshaAllah 👊🏻💪🏻
I love you all fissabillilah my sisters! ❤💐😘”
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. Strength comes from overcoming the things you thought you couldn’t.” Anonymous
Be inspired. Take control. Mind Over Matter!
Read ‘Don’t let can’ stop your progress’
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