How significantly is metabolism lowered while on this diet? How should you go about increasing calories to previous maintenance levels? Basically-how do you not gain back the fat you lost? thanks
The general guideline is the add in 1 solid meal (healthy, of course) about once ever 3 or 4 days, also adding in 250 cals every other week. Each phase below is 3 to 5 days.
phase 1 : 1 solid meal per day, 4 shakes, 250 cals over V-diet.
Phase 2 : 2 solid meals per day, 3 shakes, 250 cals over
phase 3 : 3 solid meals, 2 shakes, 500 cals over
getting the idea? Increase meal frequency every few days, and increase calories every 10 - 15 days. The whole transition will take about 3 weeks to a month and you will still be losing fat on it due to the calories.