Media outlets have been reporting that Rihanna and Saudi Arabian boyfriend Hassan Jameel have split.  Didn’t know about this relationship? That’s okay, neither did I.  After reading the brief article quoting Rihanna just “gets tired of me sometimes” I knew it wasn’t true.  Why?  Because it’s also Ramadan.  I’m calling “it’s Ramadan and I can’t see you right now” break.  If you recall Khloe Kardashian and French Montana had one too.  This year Ramadan is expected to end on June 14.  We’ll see if Rihanna and Hassan are back after then.

I, too, have had my share of Ramadan breaks and I’ve come to embrace them.  Seeing my partner fasting from sunrise to sunset, praying five times daily, and trying to make the psychological change for the better is sort of inspiring.  I eventually began fasting during Ramadan as well.  Really because I couldn’t eat dinner until he could, but now I try to use the time to further my own personal relationship with God and make positive changes in my life and those around me.  

Fasting during Ramadan isn’t easy.  During the summer months, the fast is from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm in Indiana. That’s 16 hours without food or drink!  For 27-30 days!  If you want to give fasting a try here are some tips and key components of Ramadan to know.

Dates

Egg muffins with avocado

Overnight oats

Egg muffins, avocado tortilla, and watermelon

Ramadan Tips 

• No food, no water, non-martial intimacy (even a hug is a no-no).  No need to fast if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an illness that prevents you from fasting, elderly, or on your menstrual.
• Suhoor – pre-dawn meal that should occur before the Imsak time to stop eating.  Pro tip: drink water! Try to have a protein filled meal aka no junk food.  No amount of food will keep you full for the whole day.  I manage getting up at 4:30 by meal prepping things like egg muffins and overnight oats.
• Iftar– meal breaking your fast.  Traditionally the fast is broken with nature’s candy, dates.  While a feast might be served you should eat like any other dinner.  You aren’t helping yourself by stuffing your face with three meals at once and tons of sweets. You’ll be too stuffed to fall asleep and this is how people GAIN weight during Ramadan. Don’t forget to drink water!
• Working out.  Yes, it’s possible! I don’t fast on the days I teach fitness classes, but when I am fasting I sometimes hit the gym.  It’s easier to do this right before Iftar or after eating a small snack to break your fast then working out.  Remember, working out during Ramadan should only be for maintenance!
• There’s an app for that! Download a Ramadan app to figure out exactly when to start and break your fast.  Every city is different as the sun rises and sets.
• Stay busy.  Keeping myself busy is the best way for me to not dream of food and water during the day.  Whether I’m watching Netflix, working on emails, cleaning, planning the Italy trip staying busy helps me make it Iftar.
• Your breath is going to be stanky.  It’s inevitable.  Help yourself out a bit by drinking water at Suhoor, brushing your teeth twice daily, and flossing.

I’m hoping this has inspired you to give fasting a try.  There are 10 more days until Eid Al Fitr so pick one and go for it.  Reach out to your Muslim friends/coworkers/etc and tell them what you’re doing.   I’m sure they’ll have additional tips and will most likely invite you over for the Iftar meal. It doesn’t hurt to try.

-ME

Have additional Ramadan tips or Rihanna speculation?  Comment below!