Ramadan workouts: should I exercise before sahur or after iftar? De Fam’s Cik Manggis, influencer Nana Al Haleq and trainer Ain Ramli share tips for staying fit and healthy while fasting
- It’s a myth that you should avoid workouts while fasting, but it does require more thought than usual: utilising that Apple Watch helps, says Manggis
- Strategically planning your water intake and avoiding iftar meals filled with sugar or salt is also crucial to avoid piling on pounds and spiking thirst levels
Ramadan is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar for Muslims. We fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan to “commemorate the revelation of the Koran” – the idea being to grow spiritually and to build a closer relationship with God during this time.
And while it’s not always an easy transition for your body to make, one common misconception is that you shouldn’t exercise while observing the fast. Thankfully, three Malaysian personalities: Cik Manggis of girl group De Fam; Ain Ramli – trainer, ex-national rower and F-EMS specialist at TecNatives Malaysia – and Nana Al Haleq, fitness influencer and coach, have all the answers. Especially for those looking to stay fit and healthy during the Holy Month.
So let’s hear them – what are your top tips on how to work out and stay healthy during Ramadan, ladies?
Cik Manggis:
Set broad goals for the month. I post my goals up on the wall so I can always see them and stay motivated every day.
The main thing is to find the best time to work out that suits you. This may sound impractical, but I love getting up a little earlier in the morning to fit in a workout session before sahur (the pre-dawn meal). Morning workouts really help to give me more energy throughout the day. Alternatively, we can always push ourselves a little more in the evening (before sunset), knowing that we’ll be breaking fast soon.
Also avoid overeating – eat small portions for sahur but opt for foods rich in vitamins and protein to help keep you energetic throughout the day.
Change the type of exercises you do too. During this time, I love to focus more on breath training, meditation, balance and flexibility. For a good sweat, I just do body weight training.