Islam is the official state religion of the United Arab Emirates, which means that this June and July, millions of UAE citizens will refuse food and drink between sunrise and sunset in celebration of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

While fasting during Ramadan is a spiritual practice intended to bring Muslims closer to the Faith, some in the UAE are using it as an opportunity to lose weight (after all, obesity is becoming an epidemic in the UAE). According to The National, a growing number of Muslims are exercising intensely before sunset as a means of capitalizing on their fasting. However, physicians warn this can cause a number of negative health effects.

Hussain al Nowais, a frequent traveler to the UAE and a health and fitness enthusiast, has long advocated for sensible approaches to health and weight loss, and sees this excessive exercise as alarming.

Most individuals who fast this Ramadan will deprive their bodies of food and water for 15 hours, which itself increases the body’s risk of dehydration and fatigue. Added exercise before Iftar (the evening meal) only increases an individual’s risk for these adverse effects, as well as heightens the chance of developing hypoglycemia. When individuals exercise with depleted reserves of water and carbohydrates, physicians say that what ends up being burned off is muscle tissue, rather than fat.

Sugar levels will also drop dramatically after fifteen hours of fasting, and added exercise will lower sugar levels further, causing excessive sweating, palpitations, anxiety, and seizures. Those with Type 2 Diabetes are especially cautioned against exercising to any degree during Ramadan.

Those undeterred by health hazards and only concerned with weight loss should note that physicians also state that exercise during fasting does not help individuals lose more weight; any weight decrease can only be attributed to the loss of water and muscle, both of which will return after a normal eating routine is resumed.

Thus, though it may be tempting to make meaningful strides toward weight loss with heavy exercise during Ramadan, as Hussain al Nowais and health officials warn, doing such is neither effective nor safe.

How much do you move on a daily basis? You might be surprised to discover that you move far less than you think you do, and that this inactivity can have significant consequences for your long-term health.

Studies have found that individuals that lead a sedentary lifestyle are at an increased risk for developing colon cancer, breast cancer, and Type 2 diabetes, among other diseases. Conversely, when individuals adopted a regimen of regular physical activity, their risk factors decreased significantly.

Hussain al Nowais, an international medical salesman with a passion for healthy living, understands how easy it can be to unconsciously adopt a sedentary lifestyle. Working a desk job, driving to and from work, flying to meetings, and spending time at home replying to emails all detract from time we could spend being physically active.

Throughout his career, Hussain al Nowais has found simple ways to integrate movement seamlessly into his daily life. These strategies include:

• Always take the stairs.

When feasible, opt to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Studies have shown that taking the stairs strengthens both the heart and lungs, and builds leg muscle. Given that adults need two and a half hours of moderate exercise a week, devoting 10 extra minutes to taking the stairs throughout the day is an easy way to work toward this benchmark.

• Walk and talk.

The next time you’re on the phone, why not walk around as you talk? Whether you simply pace back and forth in your office or go for a stroll outside, walking and talking accomplishes two aims at once. Many tend to find that repetitive movement can improve clarity and reduce anxiety, which could be beneficial the next time you have to make a high-stakes phone call.

• Desk stretches.

Get your blood flowing throughout the course of your workday with easy stretches that can be performed right at your desk. Consider the elbow stretch, the forward stretch, the shoulder shrug, or the basic stand up/sit down stretch. There are countless ways to engage in subtle stretching while you ponder what to say in your next email or mull over the pros and cons of a new proposal.

• Meet in person.

In many office environments, it’s typically the case that workers in the same vicinity email back and forth from their desks throughout the day. Email communication can be effective, but choosing to talk in person is an easy way to stay up and about throughout your long work day. The next time you need to talk strategy or have a question that could be best explained in person, take the initiative to walk right over to your co-worker’s desk to stand and have a face-to-face conversation. Do this multiple times throughout the day, and you’ll not only get the answers you need quicker, but move more in the process.

Ultimately, leading a more active lifestyle doesn’t have to mean joining a gym or waking up for a 6am run; rather, you can become more active by making small adjustments to your regular routine.

The United Arab Emirates is rapidly evolving into a thriving hub for international business professionals across industries, attracting workers from Europe, Asia, North America and Africa. In fact, approximately 50 percent of the UAE’s current population is comprised of internationals who have relocated, and it doesn’t look like this figure will decrease anytime soon. As Hussain al Nowais, a traveling business professional who frequently conducts business in the UAE, knows, the UAE is a premier destination in which to both live and work.

For those like al Nowais with a penchant for vibrant culture, great food, and an abundance of activity and entertainment, the UAE is an ideal country, as it offers a wealth of each. The UAE food scene is a conglomeration of both high-quality international and national cuisine, while the country’s most populous cities, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, feature an abundance of shopping and recreational activities, all in high-end style.

Internationals considering a relocation to the UAE will also find that the country maintains incredibly low tax rates, and that things like gas and electricity are also noticeably less expensive than in other countries thanks to the government’s commitment to providing energy subsidies.

For those with children, the UAE has fostered a reputation for exceptional private schools, though its public education is also top-tier. The UAE’s focus on innovation and a knowledge-based economy has propelled education to the top of the national political agenda, and a host of initiatives have been launched in the public schools system to promote science, math and engineering.

In terms of real estate, the UAE provides a number of suitable options for internationals. Though the country is divided into seven separate regions, most visiting professionals will likely work near either the capital of Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Of the two, Abu Dhabi’s real estate market has recently strengthened as demand for renting single or double room apartments in and around the capital has grown by nearly 9% over the course of the last year, with price ranges for apartments remaining affordable.

In all, for business professionals with contract work in the UAE, or business professionals seeking to relocate to the UAE permanently on their own accord, most will find that this innovative country has much to offer its new arrivals.