What is the importance of exercising during Ramadan?
Many people believe that exercising during the month of Ramadan is difficult and exposes the person to exhaustion and fatigue with the deprivation that the body is exposed to for long hours.
But the truth is, exercising in the blessed month of Ramadan is one of the healthy habits that it is recommended to practice in order to maintain a healthy body.
According to Dr. Farhana bin Lootah, Consultant Internal Medicine at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, exercise is an essential part of our daily routine even during the holy month of
Ramadan, stressing that exercise is an essential factor in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and can greatly help in Reduce the risk of diabetes.
Dr Farhana Bin Lootah, Consultant Internal Medicine at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Mubadala Healthcare, explained: “As simple as it may sound, a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day, five
times a week, significantly reduces the risk of developing diabetes. In addition to eating a balanced diet and maintaining a normal body weight, walking is effective in reducing the risk of exacerbation of
complications of this chronic disease.Therefore, we urge diabetic patients to continue to exercise moderately during Ramadan, and to
adjust their exercise routine as necessary in proportion to the times Meals, temperatures and precautions for the (Covid-19) virus.
Benefits of exercising in Ramadan
Dr. Ben Lootah lists a range of benefits that regular exercise can provide, including:
Better level of blood glucose control
Increased insulin sensitivity
Maintaining and controlling weight
Improved Body Composition - Less Fat With More Lean Muscle Mass
Improving blood lipid values - lowering "bad" cholesterol, increasing "good" cholesterol
Reduction of Blood pressure
Reduce the risk of heart disease
Stronger muscles and bones
Dr. Bin Lootah recommends that fasting people do some moderate exercise before breakfast, before bedtime, and just before eating the
suhoor meal, stressing that a brisk walk for 10 minutes or more will be an ideal exercise.
She adds, "With the weather warming outside, outdoor exercise may not always be the best option, so fasting people should move towards
adopting some indoor activities such as climbing stairs or doing home exercises in line with their fitness level."
The doctor advises to avoid strenuous exercise before breakfast, with the possibility of increasing the intensity of exercise about two hours after breakfast, as we have stored more energy and our body is
more hydrated with eating and drinking. Noting the need to check blood sugar levels before and after exercise, while making sure to eat a light meal such as a piece of fruit before exercise.