I'm probably not the best person to give advise. I Did follow everything for the first 2 weeks but as soon as I was released for full food I pretty much ate what I wanted, just in small portions. (Still do) if I want pizza, I eat pizza. I refuse to spend the rest of my life counting everything I eat. I want to LIVE! My blood has consistently been good. I take a multivitamin in the morning. I don't obsess about protein or anything for that matter. I can tell you that my hair thinned and I bruise easily which I know are in direct relation to nutrients but I feel amazing and couldn't be happier. My PC doc monitors me pretty close. I do get on the scale daily but to me it's accountability. I never want to look like that unhappy girl in the blue tank top. I remember that day (it was a year ago). It was nearly 100 degrees and I wouldn't put on a swim suit out of pure embarrassment. I always had a smile on the outside but felt shameful on the inside. I NEVER want to be that girl again. I would do this exactly the same way if I had to do it all again.