Dr.NutriCornell said:

Distribution matters less than total but it is not nothing.

DEXA scan update relevant to protein intake:

Scanned at months 0, 6, and 12. Here are the body comp numbers:

Lean mass preserved — actually GAINED 1-2 lbs thanks to progressive overload + 1.4g/kg protein. The protein intake discussion needs to include body comp data, not just scale weight.

A narrower follow-up, since the general answer is now clear:

Whether the RDA is the wrong reference entirely during rapid weight loss, and what the actual target should be?

DanielChem_CHI said:

DEXA scan update relevant to protein intake: Scanned at months 0, 6, and 12.

Coming at DanielChem_CHI’s question from a different direction. It helps to say which part of this you are uncertain about. A precise question gets a precise answer; a general one gets everybody’s favourite anecdote.

Reporting back.

Front-loading was the answer. Same total intake, same drug, but two thirds of the protein before midday and I am hitting the target most days now.

EndoResFellow said:

It helps to say which part of this you are uncertain about.

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.