Ready, set, fast! Meet Ceddy Ang, a content creator a.k.a ‘CEO of Eating’ on TikTok, who's fasting for the second year! As a non-Muslim, Ceddy was inspired by his followers who kept asking him to try fasting. And being the daring daredevil he is, he decided to go for it. HHWT caught up with him to get the inside scoop on his experience and how he's been managing the fast-paced journey.
Ceddy's fasting journey
So, how's it been so far? Ceddy spills the beans and reveals that he initially underestimated the power of dates, but quickly realised that they're the fuel that keeps him going throughout the day. "I always thought, what can these small fruits do, right? But seven of these dates are enough to last me the whole day," he shares with a grin.
But it's not just about the food. Ceddy's got a game plan to keep his energy levels revved up. He wakes up at 5am for his pre-dawn meal, also known as sahur, and makes sure to have a hearty mix of dates, milk, and oats. "Even now, I'm still full. Super energetic," he exclaims.
He feels more energetic when fasting
And speaking of energy, Ceddy has noticed a surprising change in his physical and mental state during the fast. "On normal non-fasting days, if I skipped a meal, I'd feel hungry. But somehow during Ramadan, I don't feel that," he shares. In fact, he feels more focused and active overall and doesn't tire easily compared to other days.
Of course, there have been challenges along the way. Ceddy confesses that it's not the food, but the people who sometimes pose the biggest challenge. "A lot of people don't seem to understand that this is my fasting journey," he explains. He's faced questions like "Why don't you add this to your food?" or "Why don't you eat more authentic food?" It's like, hey, whose fasting journey is it anyway? Ceddy reminds everyone that he's doing this for himself and not for anyone's entertainment.
And while he's open to trying new things, converting to Islam is not on the table for Ceddy at the moment. "Let's take one step at a time," he says. After all, converting is a big commitment, and Ceddy is all about taking things at his own pace.
Ceddy's secret to fasting
So, how does he stay hydrated during the fast? Ceddy shares his secret: water and more dates! "Drink a lot of water before sahur and kurma will keep you hydrated," he advises. And those dates not only provide energy but also fibre, which helps trick his body into feeling full.
As for breaking the fast at sunset, Ceddy keeps it simple. "I don't cook," he chuckles. He usually orders food delivery or heads to the Ramadan bazaar or joins his friends to break fast outside. Easy peasy!
So, what does Ceddy hope to gain from this experience? "I want to experience the benefits of fasting, and if I can, I want to try to turn this into a regular habit even not during Ramadan. Why not? It saves money," he quips.
And that's Ceddy for you - fearlessly taking on new challenges, blazing through Ramadan with determination, and keeping his cool amidst the fasting journey. Ceddy shows us that with the right mindset and a little bit of date-powered energy, anything is possible!