Exercise

Hajj is cardio intensive so you must be in good physical shape. Continue to weight train as normal but for cardio I recommend:

Take a brisk walk 4-5 days a week for 35-45 minutes wearing sandals a few times (preferably in the morning). Drink plenty of water and a cup of green tea before the walk (use 2-3 tea bags). Walk pretty fast. Once in a while, practice walking barefoot. I used to walk around barefoot in my backyard just to prepare.

Supplements

Here are supplements you need to take daily, starting now:

Emergen-C: 1 packet daily in the morning or before a workout mixed with water. This is a high-dose vitamin C powder that strengthens your immune system.

Opti-Pack by Super Nutrition (easy swallow packets – Iron-Free): Potent multivitamin/mineral formula. Take 1 packet daily with food.

Selenium: Take 150 mcg daily with lunch (about 2 tablets). It helps boost your immune system and is a powerful antioxidant.

Alpha Lipoic acid: Take 300 mg daily with breakfast. A good brand is from MRM – 300 mg timed-release alpha lipoic acid.

Paractin: Immune booster.

Foods

Here are foods you need to take daily, starting now:

Raw, dark honey (pure, unfiltered): Take 1 tablespoon daily with breakfast. You can actually buy a bottle of Al-Shifaa honey when you get there from a store called Bin Dawud and carry it with you at all times during Hajj as well. It came in real handy on those long bus rides!

Dates: Eat three-five dates daily as a snack.

Almonds (unsalted): Eat one handful of almonds as an afternoon snack daily.

Sweet Potato: Eat one medium-sized potato daily or every other day. Just microwave it plain and you can put cinnamon on it.

Wild Blueberries: Eat 1/2 to 1 cup daily as a snack. Eat these with almonds for better absorption of the antioxidants.

Apple: Eat one apple daily.

Broccoli: eat 1 serving (1 cup) daily with dinner.

Spinach: One serving daily.

That should get you physically ready and help you be healthy and strong to maximize ibadat (acts of worship) at Hajj!

BY: REHAN JALALI, ORIGINALLY PRODUCED FOR SUHAIBWEBB.COM