Aslaamulaikum all!
Well it’s that time again, 325 days have passed and it’s time to start the month of Ramadan. While most people know Ramadan as Muslims not eating or drinking from sun up to sun down, there is actually a lot more to it. This is a month where Muslims push themselves to become better people through fasting, spirtual cleansing, discipline, philanthropic and charity work. It’s 30 days of reflecting on our lives, understanding how people less fortuante than us who don’t have food may feel, giving to the less fortunate, and developing self-control in restraining our selves from bad actions. All in all it’s a month designed to better our mind, body, and soul. Most people do a great job with the mind and soul but all too often I see the body part being neglected.
I’ll be the first to say I have been guilty with that neglect. 10 minutes before the sun sets, I’m salvating over which egg rolls I will eat first and what sugar drink I will gulp down in a 0-60 contest. But why? I’ve heard all the excuses in the book (a lot of them made by me) about eating the way we do when it’s time to open our fast or neglecting even doing a few pushups when we wake up.
This year I’ve said no more of these excuses. How can I maintain my fitness level, push my self to eat clean, and at the same time show others that it can be done? I want to show people that as a Muslim that observes Ramadan, I can harness the greatness of this month that will push me not only to be a better son, brother, co-worker, and community member, but to also be a better athlete that respects the body God has given me.
Over the next 30 days I will document how I eat, how I workout, how I rest, some recipes that I find useful, and other tips and tricks I pick up along the way. I want others to read this and believe that they too can do it. Make no mistake, the main goal this Ramadan will be to better my deen and myself but in doing so, maintain or even increase my fitness. Will this work? Will I be able to maintain it for 30 days? Who knows. All I know is that if this works, this will be a game changer for me and how I tackle Ramadan in the future. Hopefully it will motivate some of my friends and family to do the same.
One Fit Ramadan 
you forgot “better father”
Ateeb, this is Manny from CFW, Keep up the good work, Your dedication is Inspirational..
Thanks Manny. You winning the Paleo challenge was a huge inspiration to everyone. Keep up the great work!
Wsalaam Ateeb. This is awesome you’re doing this. I’m a fellow CFitter from NY. Luckily I don’t have to travel much. Just to share with you my experiences, I usually WOD around 6.30-7 and so far i’ve been able to get through the WODS pretty easily alhamdulilah. Strength numbers have been pretty stable through the first week surprisingly. I have been taking Progenex during iftaar on the days i’ve been working out. Normally I workout 5 days a week, but i’m scaling it back to 3 during Ramadan.
Monday’s WOD was a long one and I did get light headed during it but alhamdulilah was able to finish.
Following Paleo has been relatively easy except when you go others house for iftaar and you sneak a samosa or two:)
Anyway, it’s awesome to see someone doing something similar. Keep it up!!!
That’s awesome Junaid! I got to NYC often for work and drop in at CF NYC. I’m glad to hear it’s going well for you. Yeah I was surprised that my strength hasn’t gone down yet. Just longer metcons in the CRAZY DC heat makes me a little dizzy. I’ve been scaling down the reps/time for now. I’m hoping my body gets used to this and InshAllah maybe I can even hit a PR this month. How awesome would that be??
Yeah I’m almost dreading Iftar’s at someone else’s house. I’ll be that guy eating 19 pieces of chicken tikka and lettuce lol.
Keep in touch, I would love to see how you are doing and send some tips/tricks my way!
i’m leaving for umrah tonight so I’ll be gone for 10 days. Share with you a good ramadan WOD.
5×3 Deadlift.
Followed by:
6 Rounds For Time:
-3 Front Squats (155/105)
-6 Dips (Ring or Bars)
-9 Pull Ups
I’ll be in touch when I get back inshAllah. I’m in Long Island so haven’t had a chance to get to the city yet for a WOD.
Hey Rob, my name is Trent and I have been following the main corssfit site pretty religiously for several years now but I have recently discovered your site and have been checking it out from time to time. I have not actually done a workout of your site yet but I think I would like to give your program a try. The main issue that I have seen is the same one that most people have already mentioned and that is lack of equipment. It would be great to have some substitutions or alternatives for some things. As I give your workouts a try I\’ll try and post what sub\’s and alternatives seem to work for me as well.