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This is the first year I have actually cared about my health, meaning change of lifestyle (primal, obv) and exercising 3-4 nights/week, and Ramadan is approaching in two weeks.

Because of my schedule, the only time I can get to my gym (muay thai/kettlebells) is at 8pm, and here in the West Coast, it's still light out by then. If you're not familiar w Ramadan, basically you are not eating/drinking while the sun is up. This concerns me in terms of not being well hydrated by the time I work out. I get ready for my day at around 5am which is also light outside at that pt, usually I would get up earlier around 3-4am to eat, and go back to bed before having to leave.

Do you have any past experience success or suggestions on this matter? Greatly appreciated!

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Maybe you're biting off too much. As I understand it, one purpose of Ramadan is to recommit to the godly virtue of patience. So be patient, commit yourself first to God, and resume your workout routine after the holiday. – malamute Jul 3 at 20:23

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Two comments (my only knowledge of this is a Muslim friend who I talked about this once to, so maybe I'm wrong)

1 - You're not supposed to put your health in risk during Ramadan. That means there's exceptions for pregnant women, or if you have to work out in the sun all day you're allowed to drink. Basically keep the spirit of law, not the letter of the law.

2 - The key part of Ramadan is not the fasting, but the reflection that the fasting causes. It's not so much "giving up food" as it is "giving up things you like". So maybe for this month you don't train and use that time for something else more in line with the holiday.

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We do muay thai and our instructor (Saekson Janjira) doesn't believe in using air conditioning! You may experience the same thing on the West Coast (I'd love to know who your instructor is btw). The best thing I could recommend is having a jug of ice nearby and wash rags to continuously wipe your face, head, and neck with. Afterwards having a dry towel to dry off with and removing all your muay thai clothes asap.

By the time class is over is the sun down?

Also, I don't know how your class is structured, but we have 'padwork' where we partner up and can do whatever we want after technique and stuff. Perhaps you and your partner can step aside and strictly work on technique during Ramadan. I know it's not as FUN, but maybe you'll benefit from doing it specifically during this time?

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Can you get up early, before dawn, workout, then eat a big meal? Maybe workout at night, then eat a large meal, after fasting all day? Sorry, forgot to include "at home." Maybe do your kettlebells at home and invite a partner over at night.

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I am going to observe Ramadan too. What I usually do during Ramadan is to take my exercise lightly. During the first week, I usually take easy short runs and be done just before sunset. As my body adapts, I add short burst of HIIT, also before sunset. I have no experience working out before dawn, since sunrise here is 3AM, I'm just too sleepy for it. As the day goes longer, and night is shorter, I pay more attention to my food intake. I can't eat much, volume wise, since it cuts too close to sleep time. I can't sleep with a full stomach. Dense fat/protein but low volume is what I usually look for. Before dawn, I eat again with same content more volume. I avoid sugar and carbs, but that should be common around here, it'll just make me more sleepy during the day.

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Warrior diet? Lean gains?

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I'd personally have more of an issue with the lack of hydration than the lack of food. If you aren't up in the morning before sunrise, then you need to get a lot of fluid in you between sunset and bed.

Can you do anything else for exercise, that could be done after sunset?

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The tricky thing is that I pay a pretty penny (barely affordable) for this gym, so I'm reluctant to pay for classes I'm not going to – paleono Jul 3 at 21:39
Can you put your membership on hold for a month? I did that when I spent two months out of town. The gym charged me about $10 per month while I was gone. – MiMintzer Jul 3 at 21:48
And if you note that you are skipping a month for religious reasons, they may be more likely to extend the courtesy. – AmandaLP Jul 3 at 23:32

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