anyone fasting this month for ramadan?

today is the first day of ramadan and i have begun fasting wondering if anyone else out there giving it a go?

Wed. Oct 5, 10:19am

my roommate is. I am so impressed by you guys...hang in there!

Wednesday, October 5, 2005, 11:07 AM

Not Muslim, but fasting has always struck me as a good idea. It makes sense that different religions incorporate fasting at various times. Have you lost weight in past Ramadans?

Wednesday, October 5, 2005, 11:08 AM

actually i have gained weight becuz we tend to over eat when the bell rings and it is time to eat u tend to eat watever is in front of u and more and plus u have more family gatherings and a emphasis is placed on food. which defeats the purpose of fasting esp when it is supposed to make u more discipline and make u feel for the poor who arent as fortunate as we are.

Wednesday, October 5, 2005, 1:46 PM

You can eat from sundown to sundown right? So big dinner and big breakfast?

Just curious how it works...

Thursday, October 6, 2005, 10:19 AM

me too.

Tell us more. I've always wanted to ask but fear I'll offend so this is the perfect environment to do it.

Thursday, October 6, 2005, 1:26 PM

Was googling another subject, came across this article and thought it would be a good addition to the thread

Ramadan
How to maintain healthy diet whilst fasting
By Karima Rhanem 10/6/2005 | 12:25 am GMT

During the holy month of Ramadan, when people abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking during the day, their diet changes. Many believers ignore the physical benefits of fasting, which are numerous. However, some common health problems may occur during this period, especially when people eat too much, or eat unhealthy food.

Throughout history, fasting has been used for cleansing the mind, body and soul. Most religions believe in fasting, especially Muslims during Ramadan. Aside from the spiritual values of fasting, there are physical rewards noted by physicians. Many doctors advise fasting for patients tussling with gout, heart disease, skin disorder, or excessive eating, drinking or smoking.

Fasting is a medical procedure, restoring homeostasis, strengthening the immune system and healing many illnesses. Physicians say that fasting is good for mental discipline and it affects spiritual uplift. It is also good for the digestive organs. The stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines are often overworked. People who have skin disorders such as psoriasis, acne, or recurrent skin infections are also often advised by their physicians to eliminate sweets and fats from their diet.

Physicians also say that a fast can be a boon to the body for anyone trying to stop smoking or drinking. By stopping tobacco, alcohol, and food intake for a time, a person helps the body return to normal. Once the body is "scrubbed clean" inside, the smoker and drinker feels so alive and alert that he does not have any desire to return to his unwise habits.

Dr Shahid Athar, a Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology in Indiana University School of Medicine-Indianapolis, said that abstinence from water for 8 to 10 hours is not necessarily bad for health. It causes concentration of all fluids within the body, producing slight dehydration. The body has its own water conservation mechanism. Slight dehydration and water conservation, at least in plant life, improve their longevity.

Dr Athar added that the physiological effect of fasting includes lowering of blood sugar levels, cholesterol and systolic pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity and essential hypertension.

Some minor discomforts are noted at times during fasting. The person who fasts may be subject to headaches. Other side effects of fasting, usually minor, such as a feeling of weakness, heart palpitation, and drowsiness late in the afternoon disappear with a little rest.
Health recommendations during Ramadan

Eat
•Complex carbohydrates at S'hour (late meal before dawn) so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.

•Dates are an excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.

•Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.

•Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.

Avoid
•Fried and fatty foods.

•Foods containing too much sugar.

•Over-eating especially at S'hour .

•Too much tea at S'hour Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body needs during the day.

•Smoking cigarettes: If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.

Drink
•As much water or fruit juices as possible between F'tour and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.

Link

Thursday, October 6, 2005, 2:59 PM

well i have been fasting for over 20yrs and im only 30yrs of age. i think it is a great cleanser as mentioned in the previous message. it provides discpline it makes those who have enuff appreciate what they have, it also brings u closer to god. how u may ask? there are special prayers that are offered in this holy month where the holy quran is recited in the 30 days. and when u really focus on it and make a initiative it really is not that hard. i usually get up at 5am eat some cereal and drink some liquids and offer some prayer and go to sleep. its like eating a early breakfast, skipping lunch and eating dinner at normal time. sunset is usually at 630 so it is not that bad. ramadan is also a significant month as this is the month that the quran our holy book was revealed. there is going to be a special section out in the daily herald later this month. check out www.soundvision.com/info/ramadan if anyone has any more questions pls contact me at sohojam@Yahoo.com

Thursday, October 6, 2005, 8:33 PM

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