11 replies to this topic

[Quinn]

Hi everyone--

I was just wondering if anyone is fasting for Ramadan. This is the first time I'm trying to do the whole month. I'm sort of cranky but otherwise doing okay. Would love to hear about anyone else's experiences.

[sunny]

No, I'm not a muslim and wouldn't anyway as it's very bad for the body in this heat.

[samanthaozkara]

Im not muslim and I am also not fasting. I agree with Sunny its so dangerous in this heat. Last week we had a phone call from Teyze and she was in hospital because her blood pressure dropped really low and she also dehydrated because she was fasting.

Good luck to anybody who is fasting I have complete respect for you but please be careful x

[Aston]

I am also not a muslim and would never consider fasting. Ramadan is a time for fasting and reflection for those taking part but they should not make themselves ill.
The following a'yat (verses) support this point: " and do not kill yourselves, Allah is ever merciful to you" and "he has not laid upon you in your religion any hardship ".

[Quinn]

Yes, it may be different in Izmir next year. But maybe if one has air conditioning it won't be so bad.

[IstanbulWhiteboy]

Fasting is not for me; I prefer to take things slow, during Ramazan or any other time...

[Abi]

Quinn, No I'm not fasting as it's is really too hot and will have to make the days up later. I can cope with not eating but not drinking would be a big problem and I don't want to risk ending up in hospital because of dehydration.

[Quinn]

It's true; the not eating doesn't bother me at all. It's the not drinking that is hard. I have only fasted for 1-3 days in the past because of this. Last fall, I started taking supplements and one of the first things I noticed is that I wasn't thirsty at all. (I am normally very thirsty because medication I take has a high sodium content.) It turns out the the doctor who put them together is a Muslim in California, and he has written about wanting to find something that will help water stay in one's cells because he discovered that he got very thirsty when he went on hikes, even though he brought more water than would be necessary. So he figured the problem wasn't that he wasn't drinking enough, but that his body wasn't holding it enough. The name brand is Murad--it's expensive here and so I can only imagine it is prohibitive there. But basically I think the stuff that helps is the Omega 3 oils and Glucosamine. Haven't been thirsty at all, Thank God, and we had a heat wave this summer with 100F+, and I've been out and about, readying for the move. Convinced my husband to take them, too, and he admits it has really helped. So that might be something to try if you are ever interested. But yes, I totally get and understand and support your decision. And I don't deny that next year, especially if I'm working in Izmir, I just may not be in the place to do it myself again.

What is hardest for me, believe it or not, isn't the eating or the drinking but praying 5 times a day--usually I only do night prayer. And the whole schedule. I don't like eating heavy at night, and then to get up and eat in the morning is just sort of vomitous. Not that that is a word, but you know what I mean. But I feel good about doing it. Sometimes I can be a bit of a "quitter." It feels good this time not to quit.

[Abi]

That was interesting and will see if I can find out how much it is here. If it's expensive in the US as you say it would be a crazy price here. I'm glad to hear you are doing well with your fast and inshallah you will complete it.

You will get there with the praying it just takes time to get into a routine and the ritual of getting ready to pray.. As you are only praying once a day I'm glad it's the evening prayer as it's longest rather than the morning prayer being the shortest. The hardest thing for me about praying was learning to say it in Arabic.

[Quinn]

Yes, the Arabic is a bear. I was very proud (and relieved) when I learned to do the Fatiha.

Here's the (US) link to the supplements;

http://www.murad.com/firm-tone-supplement-pack.jsp

you could call their number and see if they know who their supplier is in Turkey (I know they have a supplier in Turkey because I checked.) Believe me, it was an uphill battle to get my husband to take these pills as they are obviously slated for women. And for sure, they are too expensive for me to take normally. But they have been a good investment for Ramadan. And really, i do suspect that the Omega 3's and the Glucosamine are the "secret sauce" that makes it work.

Thanks for your posts, Abi; I really appreciate them.

[sunny]

Not really anything to do with religion but with fasting - http://www.bbc.co.uk...health-19112549

[Quinn]

Thanks, Sunny; that is an interesting article. I don't know if fasting during Ramadan would qualify as I think many people end up over-eating (and gaining weight) rather than undereating. The first week I put on 2-1/2 pounds; I subsequently lost 1/-1/4, so I'm okay with that. But I think there is a tendency to over-do out of fear of being hungry later on.

But it is an interesting idea that limiting one's food, especially every-other-day, could be so beneficial.