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Diary of a convert: 'I have trained myself to ignore cravings'

Dubai - New convert to Islam, Darren Streete says he has become more focused and disciplined with fasting

The routine my body goes through during the fast is fascinating. When I wake up, I have a dry mouth and the temptation of water is at its peak.
However, by dedicating myself to a morning routine, I have trained myself to ignore these urges. After a few days, it becomes a habit. I have found that become more focused and disciplined throughout the day. This has made me more productive and efficient in the office.
Even though we have reduced hours, I tend to stay until the end of the normal workday, only because I feel I can. Whenever I do feel tired, I go home earlier.
As for my interactions with people during the holy month, we have a mixed office of those fasting and those who aren't. The latter have rooms where they can eat, so even if there is food around, it does not bother me. I have made a choice, and that choice gives me the willpower and dedication to make it through. The smell of food or drink does not tempt me.
That said, I think my biggest challenge would come if I ever came across a bakery and smelled fresh bread baking away...
My friends tell me that the hardest time is the first few days of the fast, when your body adjusts. I prepared for this by moving my meal times in the day and eating less during them. This has seemed to work for me so far, as the transition was not bad. I'm also told that it becomes challenging again when the last few days of Ramadan, before Eid, approaches. This is where the body is worn down and senses the time when the fasting will stop, so it starts to crave more.
However, after the Eid break, I plan to fast for another 6 days to continue my dedication.
When it comes to opening the daily fast, I have had three approaches -healthy and not-so-healthy.
For the first few days, I would trek to the nearest mall and gorge on McDonald's for Iftar.
The second approach came after a few days of this, when I decided to get healthy and prepare my own food. This was a real challenge, because I'm tempted to nibble on the food while cooking, only for tasting of course. But I managed to overcome it as well. At least everything I cooked was healthy: a piece of fish or meat, with an assortment of vegetables.
The third approach is simple: accept Iftar invitations! So far, I have been to two.
(AS TOLD TO SAMAN HAZIQ)
(Darren Streete is a 39-year-old British national who came to the UAE two and a half years ago. The HR manager of a company in Dubai embraced Islam in December 2017, at the Islamic Information Center in Satwa.)