Ramadan

  • Any muslims in the house?? lol

    I find that fasting is really messing with my metabolism
    but of course that's not my main focus during this month! and yet still, I find that I don't want to gain any weight either. It messes with my whole internal system. My body is getting confused, like..what's going on? why aren't you feeding me after 3 hours like you used to? Every time I hop on the scale, it goes up and then a day later it's down again. Like just yesterday, I shot up to 161..a 5 lb gain out of nowhere! it was pretty freaky and I started jogging around the living room right after lol.

    I try not to eat too much when I open my fast at sundown because I know too much isn't good and besides it just makes me feel bloated.

    Still, I find it hard to work out when I can't eat or drink anything throughout the whole day AND to top it off I can't listen to music...and my iPod is like my personal trainer. I can't work out without it! So it's really hard for me this month to get in sort of physical activity in. The only movement I really get is walking around campus and going to work and what not. Also, I take walks with my mom and stuff after we eat and brisk walk in the living room lol.

    My friend at work told me to not stress about it, it's just a month and to just take it easy this month. But thing is, in a month I can gain weight. It's easy to gain weight rather than lose it! and I don't want to erase all that I've done so far (well some of it anyway) and I feel lazy when I don't work out, like I've gotten so used to it. It's just hard looking at my iPod sadly and feeling like I need it so bad for a good work out and I know that's a lame excuse but I seriously can't move without music!

    Also, got my period yesterday..so currently, I'm not fasting (since you can't when you have it)
    still I can't listen to music so it doesn't really change much and I don't feel hungry much because I kind of got used to all the fasting lol
    it's confusing.

    Anyway, just wanted to share it all of you.
    There are about 2 weeks left until Ramadan's over.
    I'll try to get some movement in, if any but not hardcore like I used to do.

    Hope you all are doing good!!
  • I'm not Muslim, I'm "Catholic," but as far as the gym - I'm the same as you, I can't even think about working out without my iPod, and it would be especially difficult if I couldn't have any water on top of that. Why don't you just focus on maintaining until its over?
  • What are the "rules" of Ramadan? I don't know much about the Muslim religion other than what the holy book is called. Lol. However, it sounds like you're having a tough time, especially with the period. I would suggest just taking it easy and focusing on what you're going to do to get back on track in two weeks. Best of luck!
  • the rules? lol have to get up before sunrise, eat breakfast...then can't eat or drink anything until sundown.
    -also, no music (because it takes you away from prayer time)

    so it's hard to work out during all this.
  • Power to ya chica! I don't know how you guys can do it (I have a lot of Muslim friends) because I get seriously sick if I'm awake and burning calories and not eating. ESPECIALLY now that I eat like 7 small meals a day as compared to the 2 huge ones I ate before...... like you said, my metabolism is a lot higher because of it and I'm definitely losing thank god!

    I was just reading up on Ramadan actually and I remember reading that the elderly, sick and infirm are exempt.... but I guess the whole weight loss thing doesn't count, does it? Kinda sucks though.... you might be helping your spiritual body.... but you sure as heck aren't helping your physical one! You'll get through it though! Like someone said above.... just try to maintain...
  • I'm a Muslim and Ramadan of last year is what really kick started my weight loss. its messing with my exercise and water levels in my body but so far so good!
  • starfishkitty-- yeah old people are exempt from fasting and so are people who are traveling but I didn't mention that because it doesn't apply to me. Just currently, on my period lol which also means I can't fast.

    It's hard and is totally screwing up my metabolism but I'm doing as best I can.
  • jahjah- Salaam Alaikum and Ramadan Mubarak!
  • Wa-alaikam Alsalam!
    Its almost over! haha
  • I would definitely try some light walking, if you're sort of tied to your campus maybe you could do some non-stressful laps around campus.
  • Ive been walking ALL day it makes you hella thirsty
  • Hrm, good point. lol
  • I think this Ramadan for the first time I'm getting a handle on my binging. Yes it can slow down your metabolism but the thing is to really watch what you eat during Ramadan. Sometimes at iftar time we can wind up overeating because we are so hungry.

    As for exercise i find working out after having iftar (wait about 2 hours after eating) the best time to exercise. Don't even attempt to workout while fasting. Because your body will need to be hydrated afterwards.
  • You are not eating as much correct? If that is the case then you don't have to work out as much since you are consuming less calories. If you have trouble working out because of hunger work out for shorter periods. If you are having problems because of no music work out same amount of times but less days. Good luck