To survive Ramadhan is a piece of cake, but to survive Ramadhan productively is something most of us tend to forget. As someone tiny, rather underweight, I admit, I get weak. By the time it's another an hour or less to Maghrib, I get dizzy and most of the time my vision turns black. Just black. I even fainted once during Ramadhan. Hahaha.. Used to be so strong when I was a kid, but not now anymore, I guess? Need to eat properly + work out again to get fit back..! So, the key to survive productively is start your preparation now.

Next Ramadhan : 6th June 2016 ;)

Before we begin, why do we need to stay productive during Ramadhan? Yes, theoretically it helps us comprehend the poor, purification of body from toxins, educing of weight, purity of brain, rejuvenation of body, living of life with happiness, looking younger, and to fulfill the obligation as a Muslim, but most importantly it is because Ramadhan is a month of Blessings! You don't wanna miss that by getting tired all day, you gotta cherish the month! Even the daily works, your smile to your mother, the rewards will be multiplied, jyeahh. It's like a bonus month from Allah. Hehe. Some of the reasons why Ramadhan is special are:

1. Revelation of Holy Quran
2. Doors of heaven are open
3. Doors of hell are closed
4. Devils are chained down
5. Ramadhan -to- Ramadhan: Whoever fasts two consecutive months of Ramadhan with good intention will receive forgiveness for the mistakes committed throughout the year.
6. Multiplication of Rewards: Doing good = 10x, 70x, 700x or more during the month of Ramadhan.

And much more! Read it here.

Other than realistic tips that I'm about to share, the most important tips that I believe in is your niat - intention. Before Fajr, when you're having your meal, set up your mind. For example, "I'm going to fast from 5 am till 7 pm, for the sake of Allah, and it's what Prophet Muhammad did as well,". It's amazing how when I've made up my mind that way, I won't feel hungry but during the normal days when I don't, I'm starving by 12 noon!! Yepp I'm a girl who eats a lot (self-claimed)! Hahaha


1. Start with half day
For a beginner, set your target maybe from Fajr until noon. Waking up for Fajr itself is tough for me. Ahaha.. Continue for a week, or alternate days, and gradually increase by the week after until finally you are able to fast from Fajr until Maghrib for a day! Yes, one day is a huge achievement, congratulations!!

2. Fast once a week
Now that you've managed to fast perfectly, do it once a week. Proceed for few weeks, until your body gets accustomed with it.

3. Fast on Monday and Thursday

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, why do you fast on Mondays and Thursdays?” He said: “On Mondays and Thursdays Allah forgives every Muslim except two who have forsaken one another. He says: ‘Leave these two until they reconcile.’

Besides it's Prophet Muhammad's diet,  "whether you call it the every other day diet, alternate day fasting, intermittent fasting, or calorie cycling, studies have suggested that alternating days of higher calorie intake with very low-calorie intake is just as good for your health and waist as typical dieting.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, calorie restriction could be replaced with another dietary regimen, termed alternate-day fasting (ADF) ADF regimens generally involve a ‘feast day’ on which food is consumed ad libitum that alternates with a ‘fast day’ on which food is withheld or reduced" (Reader's Digest)

On top of that, if you have never fasted before, you can make use of this time to familiarize the people around you that there are certain days where you will fast, for health reason and also humanity. It's easier to explain if you're only fasting for once a week, rather than out of the blue you start fasting the whole month during Ramadhan! Of course your Mum would get worried!! LOL
4. A month before Ramadhan!
Fast as much as you can. Really, I'm serious. What I do is from Monday until Thursday (4 days a week) for a month before Ramadhan. This is what Prophet Muhammad did as well. ;) You have to get ready. Fasting a month straight is no joke! Thank God ladies have excuses on few days.. LOL :P

5. Ramadhan
Ok this is the most tricky part.. Now that all the preparations have been done, all you gotta do is pray. Pray for strength physically and mentally. I start fasting when I was 7 (I think), but because my Mum got us ready very well, alhamdulillah I was indifference with any other kids. I served the meals during lunch and played as hard as them! Hahaha I thought it was normal, but then now that I'm surrounded with Muslim, they were kinda amazed.. LOL 

It's ok to be a good person only for a month, who knows the habit will sticks with you even after Ramadhan? ;)

Besides that, study a bit about foods that keep you full for a longer duration. Foods that are easily digested like porridge makes you hungry quick. Personally oat worked for me. Not to mention get supplements, if possible natural ones. Like olive oil, black seeds, etc. Oh anyway, I just came across of article about Middle East food / Mediterranean diet is good for health! Gotta do more research and share it here. Hehe

Last but not least, learn about Ramadhan. Ask why. Why should we fast? I remember few years ago, my friend A who was a Hindhu, she was fasting because she believed that's her way of effort to pray to God to heal her mother quickly. And then my Sikh friend B voiced out a question, "why should you starve yourself and expect God will heal your mother?". Ahaaaa there starts a healthy debate. Which I love. Haahaha.

So, ask anyone, from the Imam to kids who fast, the more people you ask is better. Get a lot of different opinions because from there, you get to find what is your own true understanding. Not just about fasting, but about anything. That's why I love meeting new people, making new friends. Hehe ;)