Ramadhan Starts tomorrow! What do I do? :/ HELP please!.

[Sana786]

Hi everyone!

I need some helpful information and guidance please. Ramadhan begins tomorrow and that means there will be no food or fluid intake for me and many other Muslims for the next 30 days throughout the day. The way the fasting works for us is that we will be closing our fast at 2:30am, which means we will not be eating or drinking anything at all. In simple, we will be nil by mouth until we open our fast at 9:20 or 9:30pm. During the night we have to offer prayers from 11pm until 12:15am or slightly sooner or later and does not give us much time to sleep or do anything in between.

The help, support or advice I would like from you guys is that how can I stay motivated to keep up with the c25k as this involves running/walking hence plenty of water intake. Which means I will not be able to drink anything during fasting. I'm open to all suggestions please.

Although I have not been doing any frying/baking for the last few Ramadhan periods, it did not help with much of my weight-loss. How can I make changes this year to help me lose more weight during the month of Ramadhan.

I would like to suggest that if you guys want you can pin this post to help many others who might also be in the same boat as me and wondering what they need to do in this situation too.

I look forward to hearing from you guys and anyone/everyone else who might be able to help in this matter.

Thank you in advance for all your support and help.

Sana.

[yatesco Graduate]

I would treat weight-loss and running as two different activities and don't worry about the weight-loss for now. If you can do both, great, but I would prioritise c25k.

At these distances I wouldn't worry so much about nutrition but I absolutely would worry about hydration, particularly as it is getting to much hotter.

I dunno - not an expert by any means, but that is what I would do.

[Sana786 in reply to yatesco]

Thank you so much @Yatesco. I will certainly take this into consideration.

[PippiRuns]

I am not a muslim and hence know very little of the effects of fasting and have no tips for you, aside from what I'm sure you have already thought about:

Do remember to compensate for daytime dehydration by drinking more water during the night to prevent chronic dehydration which can be quite severe.

Good luck with your running and Ramadhan Mubarak

[Sana786 in reply to PippiRuns]

Thank you So much for your input @IbenCopenhagen

It means a lot and I would be drinking plenty during the night.

Thank You for the Ramadhan Wishes too.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

We have had experienced runners on this forum who simply do not run at all during Ramadhan and pick it up afterwards. They seem to soon work their way back up to speed after their fast.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Hi Sana,I think you are right there will be others that will be . I know that Aftabs may have some suggestions in how to manage but I have a feeling that he stopped running during Ramadam? Are you able to sleep during the day? Could you run just before eating starts as that would be similar to a run first thing in the morning before breakfast. I am so sorry I wish i could be more helpful. I do think its very hard to lose weight if your sleep patterns are disrupted and your eating times change. I used to work alot of nights and I always put on weight! Could you re start your diet after Ramadam? Keep us posted...

[Sana786 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thank you so much for your positive support and feedback ju-ju- and I want to apologise for delay in reply too.

I don't blame Aftab for stopping to run during Ramadhan as it is SO HARD! Especially with the temperature not helping either 😯😕.

I tried the run yesterday as it was the first of 30 fasts and i couldn't continue after just five minutes. My head started hurting and I started feeling dizzy so I stopped. I will have to stop the c25k until after Ramadhan. However, I will make sure that I eat healthy and avoid fried and baked food, which to be honest is used a lot by our community. This will hopefully have at least little bit of impact on my weight I guess. ☺

I do the weigh-in every Monday and will keep you guys updated as to how my progress is.

Take very best care of yourself xx.

Sana. ☺

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Search the forum for Ramadan, there have been a few posts. From what I recall most people stop running.

One way you could keep yourself motivated would be to volunteer to help with local races or Parkruns if you had them. That way you'd still be feeling the excitement of running, and be giving back to the community. You could also schedule walks for yourself when you'd normally run.

Often a break from running is a good thing. While the first run or two back might be an adjustment, you won't lose much as much fitness as you think.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

I agree with RWD - or is there some other sport that won't dehydrate you too much? Or could you fit in a short run after you've broken your fast? Ramadan kareem xxx

[Sana786 in reply to Curlygurly2]

Hi Curlygurly2 and Ramadhan Kareem. ☺

The night prayer that we do after breaking the fast is about half an hour long and in that we constantly move up and down throughout. I think that might be counted towards excersise but it really drains me out after and I don't even feel like getting off of the prayer mat.😕😕

I will give skipping a try though as it is a quick and full body moving excersise and might help me a little. 😆😅

I will keep you all updated. Thank you for tour support. ☺

Sana.

[Sadamski Graduate]

I'm afraid I can't offer any insight, but I found a couple of articles which may be helpful:

muslimrunner.wordpress.com/...

runnersworld.co.uk/forum/he...

Obviously it depends on how you're feeling but it would seem logical to run in an evening, before a meal but at a time when you can take on water as you need it, although plenty of people seem to run first thing in the morning.

[Bundoodle Graduate]

I admire your devotion to your faith. I can offer no practical advice but send you strength to support you with the fast.

[Sana786 in reply to Bundoodle]

Awwww thank you Bundoodle .

It really means a lot. ☺

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

This is a question that comes up every year. Its an individual choice but many ease up a bit to help them through this time. There is no time limit to the program so a break can be easily be taken. Try a run and see how you feel but take into account the weather and never push yourself while things are so different. There is loads of time after Eid.

[Sana786 in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thank you so much Realfoodieclub . This exactly what I did yesterday and felt totally drained! The heat was getting to me. The thirst was dropping my tongue out of my mouth and I said to myself "stop! Get a grip and leave it till after Ramadhan".😅😕

Body is already adjusting to the changes and can't cope with any normal routine work. So, I will leave it till after Ramadhan InshaAllah but will eat carefully. ☺

Sana.

[AncientMum Graduate]

I seem to remember Aftabs posting that he stops running for Ramadan and picks up again afterwards. I understand it's a particularly challenging holy month this year, falling as it does mid summer, so perhaps it may be best to take a break and restart afterwards. Best wishes

[useitorloseit Graduate]

In these current temperatures I would take the 30 days off. If you are not hydrating, you will feel very poorly if you try to run and that won't help anyone.

[Indizulu Graduate]

Sorry I have no great insight to add to that of the previous replies - i know others would take the time off as hydrating in that short period is unlikely to be sufficient. Ramadan Mubarak to you 😀

[Hidden]

Absolutely no insight into how fasting affects your running. Just sending love and light your way!

Take a break, concentrate on your faith and get back to it in 30 days I guess 😀

[Sana786]

Thank you so much everybody for taking time out to help give me some ideas/support.

It has helped me a lot and also gave me the courage to not beat myself for not running for the next 30 days as it is quite difficult already due to the weather.

Thank you all once again xxxx. 😍☺

Sana.