Eid mubarak : )

That's a tricky one. Could you get up earlier to train before eating in the AM? I've known a number of muslims over the years and they would go to the gym either after a light meal (and then eat properly afterwards). Would that work for you?

Hope this helps...

I would also wonder too if running in the morning before your b'fast might be best...that way you get the benefits of your evening meal and maybe have a snack before you go to bed to help you in the morning before b'fast. Then after your run, you can have your b'fast to refuel.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by runningINcircles:
Kegan: No actually, there's really no 'halfway' fasting type or anything. Either you fast or you don't. Pregnant/nursing women, people with illnesses have a choice as to whether they want to or not (usually they check with their doctor if it's safe for them or not) and menstruating females are excused from fasting altogether.

And personally I don't NOT want to fast. But thanks for your post!

Eliana: Thanks, it's actually Ramadan Mubarak for right now. Eid Mubarak is for when Eid rolls around (the day after the end of Ramadan which is as big a day for us as Christmas and Hannukkah are for Christians and Jews)

And yeah, the AM running is an option, but since sleep cycle is also very much disturbed due to fasting, it's proving to be difficult to wake up so early. At that time the lack of energy is due to lack of sleep more than lack of nutrients from fasting the day before. So it's a bit tricky but I'm going to try and see if I can wake up at 4 am and run around the block.
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runningINcircles, Chanukah isn't a big holiday at all for Jews. Actually our big holidays conveniently coincide with yours this year! Rosh Hashanah, which just happened, then Yom Kippur, then Sukkot/Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah - it's basically a whole month of holy days. It's interesting that menstruating women are exempt from fasting during Ramadan, we don't have that, but pregnant and sick people are usually forbidden from fasting.

We don't have a month-long fast, but we do have several "minor fast" days, where we eat before dawn and then not again till after sunset. On those days I just don't exercise because I can't do it without the water. Having a whole month to figure this out is much more difficult, but I would second the suggestions to a) try to reschedule your runs before breakfast and b) not worry too much about it because a month is only a month and it's more important to make an effort to maintain your fitness through walking than to potentially hurt yourself. Four days is not a long time to get used to a new eating/sleeping schedule, so there is hope that you'll be able to adjust over the course of the month. Another suggestion would be to try swimming, which might raise your heartrate higher than walking because it uses the whole body, plus you might not get as thirsty doing it (but I don't know if you're allowed to swim or not during the day because of the potential of swallowing the water).

you do have quite the dilemma. my best friend is muslim and visiting his house during ramadan is usually discouraged as his parents are quite grumpy. i'm glad that you decided that your religion is important enough to keep with the fast, and that you find fitness to be important enough to work towards that.

personally i would recommend early morning runs before breakfast. that way your stomach shouldnt be unsettled and that you can get a good meal to start the day with. whatever your decision, keep up the good work on both ends!

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running,

Another options apart from early morning run...I'm wondering about your evening meal...is it possible to eat just a little to settle your stomach after sunset which would allow you to partake of breaking the fast and then go for run, and then eat more when you get home from your run...perhaps there are rituals/family/religious plans that would prevent you from doing this.