Was going strong fasting earlier this week, but I hadn’t pooped in a few days so my last two OMADs were fiber rich meals. Still nothing to write home about. So I took some Smooth Move tea. We have outhouses at work (I’m the only woman and I share with many men) so I don’t like to leave poops to chance. So the smooth move is normally pretty gentle. I don’t take it often, but enough to know it’s fine to use. Well it wrecked me all night Thursday night. Very unusual, but okay.
So Friday morning comes along and I feel fine by 6am. Then around 8am I get a different pain in my upper abdomen. I’m still fasting strong, but now I’m a little worried about my gut bacteria and this new pain. I try everything to get rid of it over the next 11 hours – lying down, electrolytes, water, tea.
So disappointed, but wanting to listen to my body, I broke my fast at 72.5 hours with a few crackers and some broth. Then some fermented red cabbage, a few more crackers. The pain in my sides subsided. I ate a bit more of these over the next 30 min. Then had a small portion of vegetarian lasagna about 40 minutes later. Pain subsided. I felt full. All in all less than 1000 calories and I felt better. Strange, these weren’t hunger pains.
Four hours later I started my period. I had zero abdominal cramping or pain for the first time in my life (I’m 34). I also didn’t gain any weight. Seriously, easiest period I ever had. Long story short (too late) I am so glad that I listened to my body, had a little food and went back to fasting. It’s now Sunday and I’m at 39 hours, might as well be at hour 2. I feel fantastic. Very easy period. Also I’m never taking smooth move tea while fasting again.
Tl;dr: Strange pain while fasting, broke it gently with food, no pain period, don’t use laxatives while fasting and listen to your body. Back on the horse with no regrets.
It’s always good to listen to your body. Even if it means you’re disappointed with stopping a fast - better to have that then end up in the hospital. And you can always start another fast when you feel up to it!
Also, don’t worry too much about bowel movements in the first couple of days. It’s hard for all of us to do that (I’ve definitely been there) and don’t get into the tea unless you have a really good reason for it. Honestly, I can’t think of one, but that’s just me.
I personally do take phyllum husk capsules twice a day when I’m fasting for more than 48 hours to help with bowel movements.