Growly stomach issue

(Rick) #1

Hello good folks-

I am keenly aware of the good of EF, and have done several, usually 72 hrs long. I wish to go longer, but the waves of discomfort from my roaring stomach usually convince me to end my fasts much earlier than I wished to.

I have been eating keto, strictly, since the first week of September. I supplement salt and electrolytes very carefully. I believe I am fat adapted, it’s not hunger that drives me out, but the gnawing, roaring stomach discomfort, despite drinking water, tea, coffee. Am I the only one here that is having so much trouble with this issue? I’m still spinning my wheels in a plateau, and fasting seems to be the ‘fix’ to get things rolling again.

Any advice will be greatfully appreciated. I don’t have much hair to pull out…please help??? :angry:

(Heather Miller) #2

Could it be the caffeine? Is coffee and tea black? You mind try a straight water (and electrolyte) fast to see if it helps.

(Rick) #3

Coffee is maybe once a day, black; “tea” is chamomile and also some green tea/peppermint blend to attempt to calm the lion, not that much caffeine altogether.

(From XL > Medium) #4

You may find that staying firm on your course of fasting will get you to 'the other side" and that the growlings will end.
Its the same with conquering addictions and cravings. You simply have to not give in to the demands being made of you to change what you are doing.

Do you have pain with the growling stomach? If it is severe perhaps see your doctor as something else may be going on.
I had lots of stomach growling during my first few fasts, and also, some really painful stomach pains too. I don’t have any pain anymore when I fast, but I did have it. I still get some minor growling when doing EF (2-3 days+)

#5

I’m six days into my EF - the growlies, for me, are really bad days 3-7, so I’m in the throes of this, @magsilon is on point. Short of pain (granted it IS uncomfortable), try and work through it. It can be mind over belly at this point. When it gets really annoying, which is often times on a conference call, I just sit and think to myself, “That’s right belly, eat it up!” :slight_smile: silly I know, but to me it’s a physical reminder of what I’m doing, and doing well.

I will say that I don’t do “mint” teas very often - like peppermint or mint, for me, that does seem to trigger the growlies. Cinnamon seems to soothe more times than not, so might want to try that.

Extra sodium may also help - and lifting or power walking soothes the savage beast as well. Honestly, it’s creating a diversion so it isn’t the focus.

Hang in there, you got this!!

#6

I’m in the middle of day 20 of my fast and my stomach is growling up a storm. It’s been a frequent thing all 20 days. I did have one night of actual pain that got worse with every glass of water, turned out to be gas.