Abu Dhabi: Fasting during of Ramadan would have certainly disrupted your regular food intake as well as the sleep-wake cycle.
While most would have lost oodles of weight due to fasting, inactivity and overeating would have also resulted in weight gain for many.
However, if you are looking to make the most of your Eid holidays in getting back to shape, wondering if it would be appropriate to put your body to test straight away, then the answer is yes.
You very much can, say experts who spoke with Gulf News.
All your body needs is 24 to 48 hours to get back to normal eating and sleeping routines.
“Starting your workout and sporting activities almost immediately will do no harm. But you have to go moderate on eating. The switch from fasting to feasting straight away is not the right thing to do,” says Dr Ravi Arora, Physician and Diabetologist at the NMC Specialty Hospital.
Diabetic patients
But those with diabetes and other health-related problems should take it a bit easy and resume their medications to normal levels first before indulging in rigorous activity.
“Sugar levels go haywire during fasting and diabetic patients who have changed their medication timings should reschedule it to normal. Only after that, should they get back to their workouts and other activities,” added Arora.
For those who like to hit the gym straight away, here are a few tips from Captain Muhannad, a professional bodybuilder and instructor at a leading gym in the capital.
“Starting slow is very essential when you are coming back after a break. Jog for 10 to 15 minutes and then follow it up with good stretching exercise. Light workout using light weight and drinking lot of water and cocktail juices is a must. Protein intake will help your body regain fitness fast. So eat grilled fish and chicken,” says Muhannad, who is expecting a bigger turnout at the gym in the coming days.
Activities
Swimming, kayaking and a hand at golf are good ways to get back on the road to fitness.
“I would like to try out kayaking and have made the enquiries at the Eastern Mangroves Hotel. They have guided tours and around 60 kayaks or so. I would go one of these days. It will definitely give me a good overall workout and I can also be among nature,” said Deepak Katyal, sales executive with a leading airline.
The Abu Dhabi Golf Club is also expecting a good turnout and they have some offers on golf merchandise for Eid.
“During Ramadan, the attendance was low and most only made it during evenings. But, that will change from now. Most have an extended holiday, so we are expecting more people to come,” said an employee at the booking desk.
For Rehan Mohammad, who works at a recruiting firm, swimming takes the centrestage.
“I wasn’t moving around much and was mostly indoors all through Ramadan, so I want to get back to swimming. It’s a perfect way to relax, as swimming won’t strain you much. You need not worry about the heat and it will give you a total workout.”
