RAMADAN

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Replies

  • bumblebums
    bumblebums Posts: 2,181 Member
    You guys should read this site:

    http://www.leangains.com/

    There has been quite a lot of research on Ramadan-style fasting and its effects on insulin sensitivity and other aspects of metabolism; it's pretty interesting. Martin Berkhan, who runs the Lean Gains site, talks about this research in accessible terms.
  • IndianMuslim
    IndianMuslim Posts: 154
    that's true. you do not fast while menstruating, but you have to make up the fasts you missed at a later time :O
  • IndianMuslim
    IndianMuslim Posts: 154
    i loved your response. so true. we do need to focus on the real reason behind fasting during this month. thanks for the reminder! :)
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    I am not a Muslim either, but I know that 21 hours of fasting will NOT put you in starvation mode. It takes at least 72 hours for that to have any effect. Many people have been successful at losing weight during a fast. It all comes down to the total calories for the day consumed being less than what is used (in vs. out).

    72 hours? Wrong! Google "Starvation mode myth".

    I've done that. I thought I learned that any kind of extra metabolic slowdown from not eating anything would take at least 72 hours to start setting in, and it would be a small percentage. I wasn't referring to actual starvation. Am I misunderstanding something? I was just trying to express that if we're talking about 21 hours, starvation mode is definitely not a player.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    I am not a Muslim either, but I know that 21 hours of fasting will NOT put you in starvation mode. It takes at least 72 hours for that to have any effect.
    You're Funny

    And why's this funny?
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    I will be fasting...even though my TOM will start around the time we begin(not pleased::mad: ). Unfortunately for me I can't eat a whole lot during that time but I drink a lot of water. As for exercise, I'm not sure but if anything,I may be jumping rope.
    I'm not an expert on Islam, but aren't you allowed to not fast during menstration? I know a lot of muslims and last year I asked a lot of questions like do diabetics have to fast, pregnant women, etc. and they told me that menstration was another circumstance in which you are permitted to abstain from fasting.

    This is true. Women do not have to fast during their time of the month, but are suppose to make it up after Ramadan is over.
    Not to derail the topic of this thread, but what about diabetics? It wouldn't be feasible for them to fast at any point. I'm assuming they just don't make it up and they're permanently excused, right?
  • Iwishyouwell
    Iwishyouwell Posts: 1,888 Member
    I will be fasting...even though my TOM will start around the time we begin(not pleased::mad: ). Unfortunately for me I can't eat a whole lot during that time but I drink a lot of water. As for exercise, I'm not sure but if anything,I may be jumping rope.
    I'm not an expert on Islam, but aren't you allowed to not fast during menstration? I know a lot of muslims and last year I asked a lot of questions like do diabetics have to fast, pregnant women, etc. and they told me that menstration was another circumstance in which you are permitted to abstain from fasting.

    This is true. Women do not have to fast during their time of the month, but are suppose to make it up after Ramadan is over.
    Not to derail the topic of this thread, but what about diabetics? It wouldn't be feasible for them to fast at any point. I'm assuming they just don't make it up and they're permanently excused, right?

    It wouldn't be feasible for most Type I diabetics to fast (though some have successfully). However plenty of Type II diabetics have indeed fasted, and for much longer than the relatively inconsequential 12-14 hour fasts undertaken daily during Ramadan.
  • norahwynn
    norahwynn Posts: 862 Member
    I'm not Muslim, but I know many people who are and who fast during Ramadan. It's important to try and eat the same amount of calories you did before Ramadan. Once the sun goes down, stuff your face with calories. It may be hard to eat that many calories in a short time, so consider eating calorically dense foods like peanut butter, whey protein, ice cream, butter, olive oil, etc

    My ex is Muslim, and that's exactly what he did. As soon as the sun went down, he was eating like there was no tomorrow. He actually lost about 4 lbs. during the process, though he certainly didn't need to.

    Good luck!
  • IndianMuslim
    IndianMuslim Posts: 154
    Diabetics, pregnant women, people with special needs or serious illnesses are exempted from fasting, but it depends on you and your personal situation. I was able to keep 15 fasts while pregnant with my son because I was early on in my pregnancy and I felt like I could handle it. I have a daughter with special needs that most likely will not fast, but if she wants to try, I would definitely let her.
  • syedsaad
    syedsaad Posts: 156 Member
    I will be fasting...even though my TOM will start around the time we begin(not pleased::mad: ). Unfortunately for me I can't eat a whole lot during that time but I drink a lot of water. As for exercise, I'm not sure but if anything,I may be jumping rope.
    I'm not an expert on Islam, but aren't you allowed to not fast during menstration? I know a lot of muslims and last year I asked a lot of questions like do diabetics have to fast, pregnant women, etc. and they told me that menstration was another circumstance in which you are permitted to abstain from fasting.

    This is true. Women do not have to fast during their time of the month, but are suppose to make it up after Ramadan is over.
    Not to derail the topic of this thread, but what about diabetics? It wouldn't be feasible for them to fast at any point. I'm assuming they just don't make it up and they're permanently excused, right?

    if the medical condition is like diabetes in which you know fasting can be a problem for health and you wont be fast even after the ramadan ends .... you are not required to fast .... but you have to feed the poor instead .... but if the condition is temporary (like i was required to take medicine during the day and it was compulsary to take it at that time) then you have to fast for the same number of days as you missed anytime during the year ..... ramadan is not only about staying hungry .... it is the month to empower your self control .... it teaches you when you can leave the things which are permissible in this month then why cant you leave bad things for the rest of the year .... it makes you feel the pain of the people who are not as fortunate as us as we know we wont be able to eat anything for 16-18 hours but then we have enough that we can eat but they know they might not have anything to eat even after that .... it is a very spiritual and calming month .... it is the training for the rest of the year to resist the bad temptations and do good .... i have always loved ramadan .... even when i was a kid .... and still wait for it the whole year
  • Lulla_dxb
    Lulla_dxb Posts: 22
    I'm Muslim and last Ramadan I exercised for at least 1 hour a day and still managed to put on weight!!!
    I was eating a lot of sweet treats at night.
    This year I will still exercise but cutting back on the sweet things and trying to keep healthy...let's see what happens!
    I love Ramadan!
  • IndianMuslim
    IndianMuslim Posts: 154
    Me too! :)
  • ZB17
    ZB17 Posts: 92 Member
    When is the best time to exercise during Ramadan? There's so much mixed information! I can't exercise on a full stomach (I always feel uncomfortable and get cramps.), so exercising right after I eat in the morning won't be a good option, and waking up before 4 AM (around the time the fasting begins) might not be a very practical option for me. Would it be okay to exercise (cardio) a couple of hours after the day's fast begins, or would that be harmful since I won't be able to 'refuel' until around 8 PM?
    Some suggest exercising an hour before the fast is broken, but then others say that exercising on an empty stomach after not eating for over 12 hours is harmful (because it raises cortisol levels and that destroys muscle? is that true?).
  • Kareemelnaggar
    Kareemelnaggar Posts: 17 Member
    I have several friends and family who are type 1 and 2 diabetics. Both have actually seen improvement in their diabetic condition (lower blood sugar levels, fewer spikes, etc). If you are a Type 1 diabetic you need to fast with a doctor's supervision and if the doctor deems it unhealthy to go without insulin throughout the fasting period than it's permitted not to fast. The person would have to make up for the lack of fasting in some other way such as feeding the poor or other types of charity.
  • Kareemelnaggar
    Kareemelnaggar Posts: 17 Member
    When is the best time to exercise during Ramadan? There's so much mixed information! I can't exercise on a full stomach (I always feel uncomfortable and get cramps.), so exercising right after I eat in the morning won't be a good option, and waking up before 4 AM (around the time the fasting begins) might not be a very practical option for me. Would it be okay to exercise (cardio) a couple of hours after the day's fast begins, or would that be harmful since I won't be able to 'refuel' until around 8 PM?
    Some suggest exercising an hour before the fast is broken, but then others say that exercising on an empty stomach after not eating for over 12 hours is harmful (because it raises cortisol levels and that destroys muscle? is that true?).

    Honestly, you just need to exercise at some point during the day. Whatever is most comfortable for you. Either way you likely wont see significant gains during Ramadan, but it is still important to lift weights. so you don't experience too much muscle atrophy throughout the month. I personally prefer to exercise before iftaar by just over an hour, so I can drink water by the end of my workout. I've tried working out early in the day and have found that I'm terribly thirsty throughout the day. Ultimately, it's up to you when you workout.
  • kalieah
    kalieah Posts: 143 Member
    Is anyone interested in doing a weight loss bet?! MESSAGE ME!
  • hodaissa14
    hodaissa14 Posts: 1
    no diabetics do not have to fast. Instead for everyday during Ramadan they must feed someone who is poor or needy and give s a small amount of charity. :)
  • aalhasan
    aalhasan Posts: 104
    Salam,

    A recent Czech study claimed that eating 2 meals a day helps weight loss.
    Well, we break our fast at sunset, then eat again before sunrise. Perfect!

    It's not too hard to get the nutrients you need. For instance, if your goal is 1500, you can have 800-900 at sunset and 600-700 at sunrise! Just make sure you're getting the nutrients (i.e, no junk food!)

    Ramadan Kareem :)
  • LJSmith1989
    LJSmith1989 Posts: 650
    Salam,

    A recent Czech study claimed that eating 2 meals a day helps weight loss.
    Well, we break our fast at sunset, then eat again before sunrise. Perfect!

    It's not too hard to get the nutrients you need. For instance, if your goal is 1500, you can have 800-900 at sunset and 600-700 at sunrise! Just make sure you're getting the nutrients (i.e, no junk food!)

    Ramadan Kareem :)

    Do your sleeping patterns get messed up during Ramadan?
  • aalhasan
    aalhasan Posts: 104
    Salam,

    A recent Czech study claimed that eating 2 meals a day helps weight loss.
    Well, we break our fast at sunset, then eat again before sunrise. Perfect!

    It's not too hard to get the nutrients you need. For instance, if your goal is 1500, you can have 800-900 at sunset and 600-700 at sunrise! Just make sure you're getting the nutrients (i.e, no junk food!)

    Ramadan Kareem :)

    Do your sleeping patterns get messed up during Ramadan?

    Not really. You can eat before bedtime or just wake up before sunrise for 30-60 minutes to eat.
  • nidserz
    nidserz Posts: 10 Member
    I will be fasting this year. I haven't really kept track of gains or loss in the past but since I am starting a new healthy lifestyle so close to Ramadan I want to make sure I don't get off track. I love the fried food for starters but I will go easy on it this year but won't deprive myself. I also plan to go for a 45 min walk/jog right before iftaar and then after I eat I'll do the 30 day shred DVD. I hope to maintain if I don't lose... Amounting seems like a win in this situation.
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
    I'm not muslim, but some people do intermittent fasting, which means their window for eating is only a few hours (5 I think), so it's a similar idea because they fast for the rest of the day.

    Those who partake in what they refer to as "IF" still make sure to get all of their alloted calories in, or the body will go in to starvation mode. Not right away, but gradually...your body will hold on to every last ounce it can at that point so you want to avoid it.

    You sure treat your fasting for ramadan in the same fashion. Just because you are required to fast that does not mean that your body requires less calories for that time period.

    Hope that helped.
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    Just curious...are there any muslims on here that will be fasting for the 30 days of Ramadan and have been successful in the past at losing weight while fasting? I have been fasting this week and found that the 21 hours or so of fasting does a toll on my body so even if I eat a small amount at night, I just maintain my weight. I know it's probably because my body goes in starvation mode. I also am not exercising while fasting for obvious reasons. Does anyone have any tips?

    Hey sorry if I'm repeating something because I didn't read all the replies.

    Yes, many Muslims here. I fast in Ramadan and often in Sha'aban and Rajab too. Yes, you can easily be successful with it. Actually, intermitent fasting is very similar to what Muslims do in terms of food intake.

    How are you fasting for 21 hours though? I live in Saudia and our fast is frmo 4:30 AM to 7 PM. You won't go into starvation mode if you manage to eat your calories after maghrib and before Fajr. Which is plenty of time with at least 2 meals.

    I usually split my calories. 2/3rd of it after maghrib. Usually dense food (which is easy due to all the oily food we eat). Dates are VERY calorie dense themselves anyways so its really easy. 1/3rd in suhr. I workout usually after 9:00 PM anyways so its no change really.
  • ellehoosen20
    ellehoosen20 Posts: 11
    im also muslim and i will be fasting this month for ramadan.
    my advice is to eat lean, wholesome foods full of protein and fibre.
    eat calorie dense foods because if you try to squeeze in what you would eat in a day into the space of a couple of hours your stomach will stretch and you'll get hungry quickly.
    also, dont stop working out!
    im a 198lb woman doing p90x (6 x 1hour workouts a week), have done nearly 1/3 of the program and will not stop during ramadan.
    what i plan on doing is breaking my fast with dates (fibre), watermelon and banana (fibre) then do my workout. the fruits will lightly fill you so that you have energy to exercise and that you wont feel drained. that way, i am rest assured that my metabolism will not slow right down :)
  • Orient_Charm
    Orient_Charm Posts: 385 Member
    Please check this,

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1025907-do-you-lose-or-gain-weight-during-ramadan

    For me I am fasting and I am facing big problem to keep my maintain weight .........
  • SweetTea111104
    SweetTea111104 Posts: 338 Member
    im also muslim and i will be fasting this month for ramadan.
    my advice is to eat lean, wholesome foods full of protein and fibre.
    eat calorie dense foods because if you try to squeeze in what you would eat in a day into the space of a couple of hours your stomach will stretch and you'll get hungry quickly.
    also, dont stop working out!
    im a 198lb woman doing p90x (6 x 1hour workouts a week), have done nearly 1/3 of the program and will not stop during ramadan.
    what i plan on doing is breaking my fast with dates (fibre), watermelon and banana (fibre) then do my workout. the fruits will lightly fill you so that you have energy to exercise and that you wont feel drained. that way, i am rest assured that my metabolism will not slow right down :)


    Wow. Magrib comes in so late. I have a family that I am responsible for feeding and cleaning up after. Are you single? I don't have an hour so late to work out and then have to turn around and wake up to cook sahoor. I hope it goes great and you have a blessed Ramadan!
  • Lulla_dxb
    Lulla_dxb Posts: 22
    Anyone fasting in Ramadan feel free to add me, I'd love to know what everyone's eating when they break their fast!
  • ZB17
    ZB17 Posts: 92 Member
    When is the best time to exercise during Ramadan? There's so much mixed information! I can't exercise on a full stomach (I always feel uncomfortable and get cramps.), so exercising right after I eat in the morning won't be a good option, and waking up before 4 AM (around the time the fasting begins) might not be a very practical option for me. Would it be okay to exercise (cardio) a couple of hours after the day's fast begins, or would that be harmful since I won't be able to 'refuel' until around 8 PM?
    Some suggest exercising an hour before the fast is broken, but then others say that exercising on an empty stomach after not eating for over 12 hours is harmful (because it raises cortisol levels and that destroys muscle? is that true?).

    Honestly, you just need to exercise at some point during the day. Whatever is most comfortable for you. Either way you likely wont see significant gains during Ramadan, but it is still important to lift weights. so you don't experience too much muscle atrophy throughout the month. I personally prefer to exercise before iftaar by just over an hour, so I can drink water by the end of my workout. I've tried working out early in the day and have found that I'm terribly thirsty throughout the day. Ultimately, it's up to you when you workout.

    Great, thanks!


    Here is an awesome article to anyone who is taking part in Ramadan or fasting in general: http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html
  • shutterbug21
    shutterbug21 Posts: 66 Member
    Here's a tip:

    9. Take a walk. Or a run, whatever floats your boat. Research shows that all it takes is 30 minutes of exercise a day to maintain good health

    Source: http://www.thetaboulibowl.wordpress.com
  • IndianMuslim
    IndianMuslim Posts: 154
    Yes, I am a mom of two children, ages 8 and 4. I also work full-time and get home around 5:30 PM each day. Since iftaar is about 8:30 PM and tarawih will be around 10 / 10:30 PM, I am not planning on working out in Ramadan. I may go for a walk after we open our fast, but that's about it. I would really prefer to focus my time and energy on prayer.

    Thank you everyone for the great advice. I plan on opening my fasts with dates and fruit and then eating a balanced dinner. Will do my best to avoid fried foods altogether ;)

    Ramadan Mubarak to you all!!

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