Ramadan Tips

While Ramadan is indeed a spiritually rejuvenating experience, don't ignore physical exercise. In years past, I found myself gaining weight at the end of Ramadan despite fasting and eating regular meals. Over the last few years, I have been very careful about diet and exercise and have found that by taking care of the physical body, the spiritual side is more enjoyable. So, let me share my experience and hopefully it will help someone.

• Eat healthy and in moderation. Don't make the mistake of eating too much, especially at night (one trick to eating less is chewing slowly). I would recommend loading up on a few dates, a lot of salad, a lot of water, and maybe a protein enriched spinach/kale smoothie.
• Avoid oily foods, sodas, salty foods, and sugar. Substitute fresh fruits for sugary desserts. Avoid carbs (cereals, bread, muffins, etc.) and go with protein-heavy foods like boiled eggs, seafood, or Daal/lentils.
• Do physical exercise. During Ramadan, I make an extra effort to run at least a couple of miles before breaking fast. I would suggest 1/2-hour walk, if possible, but certainly something like pushups, planks, squats in the privacy of your own home is good.
• Find a way to take a 20-minute power nap. There are many benefits, especially in Ramadan. This will give you the boost you need to carry on during the day.
• Of course, spend extra time in worship.