Hello Reddit! I have only done a few fasts. Several 1 day fasts. A 2 day fast and a 7 day fast. I haven't fasted now for about 5 months. I need a reset and I'd love some advice.
So I'm going to do another week long one with the possibility of pushing on to a month or 40 days. Day 1 today. Last time I did the week long fast I felt great and had no problems during the fast. The issue I did have was once I broke the fast after the 7 days I gained belly fat that I had never really had before. I suspect I upped my calories too quickly from zero to over two thousand calories (or more) and my metabolism didn't have the time to adjust.
I am not fasting for weight loss, although shifting my pudge will be a bonus. I have cronic inflamation, back pain, I have brain fog etc. I am getting my blood checked to see if I am a celiac (I'll get the results back in a few days. Both of my siblings are diagnosed celiacs) so the fast basically resets my system back to an inflamation free state. I also have started a spiritual awakening over the past few years and I am interested in the effects of fasting on my being. Experiencing non-ordinary states of reality has been a beautiful (and at times frightening) journey towards a deeper understnding and connection with life and existance.
What I would like to know is what to expect if I do push on past 7 days to a full month or 40 days?
Can I exercise - gym classes? Run? Lift weights? Or should I stick to walking, yoga and stretching?
Also, has anyone smoked some cannabis while fasting? If so what was the difference? I tend to get a lot of visuals during non-fasted states so I am interested to see how the fast effects my experience with cannabis. (I smoke about once or twice a month as stretching my back becomes easy and pleasurable while high as opposed to difficult and painful)
Advice on breaking the fast? How should I eat so as to allow my system time to reset back to normal digestive and metabolic function. I don't want to gain belly fat like I did previously.
Thanks so much!