However, most of the men and women seeking slimness gain weight and tend to become obese mostly during the month of Ramadan! The reason is the delicious food and sweets that they devour after long hours of fasting. Fasting men and women are served with rich and delicious dishes and various kinds of sweets and pastries to compensate for the loss of calories caused by the long abstention from food and other sensual desires.
“Such atmospheres will not help us to maintain our diet programs. There is plenty of rich food in Ramadan compared to the other months of the year,” said Khadija Al-Johani, a Saudi woman trying to keep fit in Ramadan.
“I do not think Ramadan is a suitable month for dieting. The moment iftar is announced by the prayer call we eat whatever we put our hands on at a table full of all kinds of tempting dishes. I tried to make a strict weight-loss program during one Ramadan, but I could not continue even for a week before falling prey to the temptation of the delicious food. I never tried to resort to dieting or losing weight during Ramadan.”
Alya Al-Maghrabi, another Saudi woman, agrees. “It is impossible to lose weight during Ramadan because of the rich food we take at iftar,” she said. Al-Maghrabi recommended walking every evening.
Ali Fadil, a Saudi man, disagrees with them. He believes that Ramadan is the best time for men to lose weight.
“Men can walk any time, but women only go out for shopping during the fasting month,” he said. He added that men can play sport or just walk freely while women go out only to shop or visit relatives.
Nadia Al-Ghamdi sees Ramadan as an opportunity to lose weight. She said she is determined to lose weight during this month and has asked her husband and children to support her. “I am determined to lose a few kilograms. I will eat little and will not join my husband and children in the delicious dishes. They have to excuse me,” she said.
Fadwa Mahrous said Ramadan can be a month for everything except slimness!
“We are unable to resist cookies before Ramadan. How do you expect us to resist them after long hours of fasting?” she questioned.
Sahar Sitaih asked women not to think of becoming slim during Ramadan.
“It is unjust to ask them to stay away from the sweets and cookies after long hours of fasting,” she said.
