Recently I've been trying to be more healthy but previously there's been two times in the year when I have *really* thought about the fact that my body has a right over me; exam period and Ramadan. During exams because I believe any sin I commit and anything wrong I do will affect my memory, my performance and my results. Therefore I have to do the right thing by my body as well as avoiding other wrong things. If only I lived like this every day of my life...I'm trying inshaAllah.

In Ramadan I've tried to eat healthily because, well it's the right thing to do! Also, I guess I'm just more conscious of my body in Ramadan. I don't believe it'd be good for it if after 18 and a half hours of fasting I ate lots of oily and generally unhealthy food. It would upset my stomach, and it probably wouldn't even given me the required energy needed to nourish my body. And of course it'd violate the rights my body has over me.

Last Ramadan I tried to avoid the oily food but it didn't really work out. This year has started off well though and inshaAllah I'll continue with what I've been doing. I think I must be in the most healthy routine in a while. I mean I *have* a routine, for a starters! Also:
1) I close my fast with weetabix - milk everyday
2) I attempt to drink more water in the 5ish hours between sunset and Dawn, than I normally would in a whole day. 
2) I have fruit everyday
3) I have a boiled egg (protein!) everyday...I dunno it's somewhat of a tradition for my family to have eggs in Ramadan though I rarely have them outside of it.
4) I'm trying not to give in and have (lots of) oily food
5) Taraweeh. Lol joke, but a form of exercise would perfect my routine, I think. 

So I've been trying this whilst my family have continued with their normal ways. 
A relative found out today that I was trying to be healthier and this was pretty much how the conversation went:

R: why?
Me: because Allah (swt) tells us to look after our body and eating like this is not good for it.
R: But you never cared before
Me: when someone's comes to their senses they don't continue doing something they know is wrong.
R: [b] We'll see how long you carry on, you'll give in soon enough [/b] 
Me: I still have to try

This conversation made me identify a way in which people put us off trying to become better. Islam says people will mock us for trying to follow it and usually people mention the hijab and beard. My family wouldn't demean these things, they hold modesty in high regard and to others it holds a cultural significance at least. However, healthy eating, having a healthy lifestyle...that's not really a part of a Pakistani's encyclopaedia! And people look down upon anything which they are unfamiliar with and that they don't understand. Perhaps because it's so odd or because they think they know better or it's just easier to not break away from tradition or to not bother understanding. I guess the explanation depends on the specific person. But it's obvious that there will be people who aren't encouraging of your choices..."haters gonna hate" and all that! 

People seem to expect others to fall and warn them of that instead of being supportive of whatever little change an individual is trying to achieve. This is really dangerous for those who are embarking on a new path, struggling in the way of Allah, and perhaps already low in their own confidence. It is also really unfair. If you are not going to try and improve yourself, no need to make others feel bad about it Like why didn't my relative just say "I hope you can get through it" or something? Why be so negative? (I didn't really care btw, it's just something I'm using as an example) 

But as Surah Asr (chapter 103 of the Quran) says the believers have to be patient and continue doing good and guide others to good. It's just a way of life that we gotta accept. The attitude and behaviour of those around us may be hurdles for us; whether we're trying to implement something with a spiritual benefit or physical*, big or small, it's likely that someone or something will make us sad, angry, lost, confused, hopeless and so on. But being  Muslim means that we have to continue trying to do good and advising others whilst keeping our patience so we don't lose heart...and our way! 

Btw the later conversation with the relative:
Me: don't go home, open your fast here
R: Nah you'll make me eat all healthily 
Me: everyone else isn't eating what I'm eating!
Mum: she tells me to eat healthily too
R: if you tell your mum, you'll make me too
Me: well it's for your own good

I haven't denounced all unhealthy food, I'm just trying to keep it at a minimum but the good thing about acting instead of just preaching is people get your message more clearly. My family know I'm trying to be more healthy now and if I do mess up, I'll just be like "well I never actually said I'm not gonna have any unhealthy food at all!" ...unlike last year when I said I'd try but failed lol

EDIT: Nothing is ever just spiritual or physical; both affect each other*

(I didn't really know what to call the blog)