MikeFit_NJ said:The RDA is the wrong reference and it is worth understanding why.
DEXA scan update relevant to protein intake:
Scanned at months 0, 6, and 12. Here are the body comp numbers:
| Baseline | Month 6 | Month 12 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total mass | 255 lbs | 235 lbs | 212 lbs |
| Fat mass | 115 lbs | 75 lbs | 47 lbs |
| Lean mass | 153 lbs | 146 lbs | 149 lbs |
| Body fat % | 40% | 32% | 21% |
Lean mass preserved — actually GAINED 1-2 lbs thanks to progressive overload + 1.6g/kg protein. The protein intake discussion needs to include body comp data, not just scale weight.
One thing that is still open after roxy_nash’s answer:
How people are hitting a protein target on a genuinely suppressed appetite, because volume is the binding constraint rather than willingness?
Dr.PeteFamMed said:DEXA scan update relevant to protein intake: Scanned at months 0, 6, and 12.
There is a second half to this that has not been said yet. Order of operations matters more than any single choice here: establish a baseline, change one thing, wait long enough for it to express itself, then measure again under the same conditions.
Ask again with the specifics and you will get a better answer than this one.
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Update: two thirds of the target before midday. Same total, same appetite, and I am hitting it most days now.
Dr.KarenChen said:Order of operations matters more than any single choice here: establish a baseline, change one thing, wait long enough for it to express itself, then…
Agreed on the target, with the caveat that reference weight and current weight are different numbers. Using current weight at the start of a large loss produces a target that is both unachievable and unnecessary.