Help... frustrated, contstipated,and down right confused

Hello to all… I hardly ever post on here. I think I have posted two or 3 times, but I always am on here reading everyone’s’ responses and I really feel like I am a part of the community in a way its kinda funny 

Anyways…I am thinking of doing another long fast again I have completed 2 long fasts (20 days) both times and a couple short 5-6 day ones before and also in between the long ones. I have lost about 40 lbs and pretty much kept it off. I am 5’10” and started off at 215 last august and now am down to 173 and have pretty much maintained here (+/- 5lbs) for a couple months now. I am having some problems though…and some concerns/confusions so any input or advice is so helpful.

1) Since my first long fast in Aug/Sept I have not had consistent BM and my colon I think is really clogged or something…it really messed my system up in some way I think. Or un-messed my system and now I don’t know what normal is. Well I am constantly feeling bloated and I don’t eat an unhealthy diet now. I don’t eat any cheese really…not a lot of breads/pastas/rice etc. and the colon area of my stomach really hurts, when I press I can feel build up in there and its painful to press hard on. During the 1st fast there were some pretty scary looking bowel movements (bright green/dark brown and others I will spare you the details) but I haven’t been regular since. Maybe 1x/wk if I’m “lucky” lol (thank God this is online and not face to face this is kinda embarrassing). But, I just thought it was normal when you fast that long and hard and it was just my body cleaning itself out. Then I started getting really plugged up after I started eating again so I did a cleanse, which has always worked great on me, but didn’t really help this time. Any advice of what to do would be good. Did I mess up my system forever?? Is this really common?? Does this have anything to do with my fast??? Should I go to the doctor?

2) I gain weight so easily now. Is my metabolism still crazy from those 2 long fasts?? Or is it the small ones? Are long fasts better or the short ones?? It seems kinda pointless to me to do a fast for less than like 2/3 days because as soon as you have gotten your body into ketosis you break your fast?? Not to mention the first 3 days are always the hardest too so you get through those and then give up?? It just doesn’t make sense but I am wondering if the shorter fasts (2-3 days) really accomplish anything. Anyways maybe I am thinking wrong on this I am not really sure, but I don’t want to screw my metabolism up forever.

3) I hate gaining the water weight back afterwards is there anything I can do to not gain so much back afterwards?? When I do the 5/6 day fasts I lose about 10 lbs and then gain 6 or 7 back immediately…is this normal??

And…last but not least, this is the one I need the most help with…

4) What should I be eating afterwards and in between because there is so much conflicting advice out there and everyone has a different opinion of what healthy is so…what works for you?? What is good/bad I guess?? After fasting I have not ever been able to go back to my old eating habits it disgusts me so I am thankful for that!! I have cut out excess sugar (doughnuts/pastries/cookies/ets) and breads, I don’t eat pasta that often anymore and I eat a lot more natural foods like veggies and fruits. I also plan my meals so I don’t end up eating yucky on the go. Oh yes I have become really active too. I am at the gym at least 3 times a week and then salsa dancing 3x a week too. I eat pretty low-fat too right now, but I have kind of hit a plateau and am actually going the other way. I have gained 10 lbs in the last month and I haven’t gone back (with the exception of chocolate) Is low carb better?? What about completely vegetarian?? Vegan?? What are our bodies made to handle and how the heck do I get my hands on the RIGHT information?? I want a lifestyle not a diet.

Anyways to conclude, I want to do another fast, but for how long I am not sure because of #1 and I don’t know how long to go for. I am trying to lose to 150 and then maintain which is good for my height and bone structure. I have gotten to 158 after my last fast and then gained 7 back in water weight…then just have started gradually gaining more again. HELP!!! I am really frustrated and I don’t feel like I am doing any of this right. I am kind of discouraged and I don’t know where to start. Any help is much appreciated.