EnergyProtocol
Same calories.
Different outcome.

The order you eat, the time you eat, and how well you sleep change what your body does with every calorie. Not a little. Measurably. This protocol changes the conditions -- not the calories.

Energy Signal
Cortisol
Mobilises stored fuel. Peaks at wake-up. Falls through the day. High at night disrupts recovery and blocks fat metabolism.
Storage Signal
Insulin
Moves glucose into cells. Every meal triggers it. Chronically elevated, it locks fat in storage and mutes the energy signal.

Eight reasons most days go wrong. Tap any one.

Sleep Is a Metabolic Intervention

One night under six hours puts your energy and storage signals in the same state as early insulin resistance. Not metaphorically -- the same impaired glucose clearance, the same elevated baseline, the same compromised fat oxidation.

Poor sleep does not just make you tired. It makes you metabolically dysfunctional. Every part of this protocol works better when sleep is treated as training.

The Afternoon Nap Problem

A nap under 20 minutes before 3pm is neutral to slightly beneficial. Anything longer, or after 3pm, suppresses the sleep pressure your body needs that night. One compensatory nap creates the conditions for the next bad night. If you are relying on afternoon naps regularly, the problem is the night before -- not the afternoon.

Does This Apply to Me?

Women: the same rules apply. Carb tolerance and sleep quality shift across the menstrual cycle -- the luteal phase typically brings lower tolerance and lighter sleep. Treat the fasting recommendation as a range (12 to 16 hours) rather than a fixed number, and allow more flexibility on high-stress or low-sleep days.

With age: insulin sensitivity naturally declines from the mid-40s. The protocol becomes more important, not less -- the same interventions produce a larger effect because the baseline is more fragile. The 30g protein target per meal is more critical at 50 than at 30, as muscle protein synthesis slows with age.

36-Hour Window

From 6pm yesterday to 6am tomorrow. What you did last night sets up today.

Food order
Walk after meals
Protein AM
Sleep 7hrs+
Energy signal (cortisol)
Storage signal (insulin)
Today's Plan

Set your eating window. Pick your day type. Tap any block for food ideas.

On fat: when this plan says "fat" it means olive oil, avocado, eggs, nuts, and oily fish. These slow digestion and support signal management. They are not the cause of weight gain -- a chronically elevated storage signal is.
Your Eating Window
12:00pm -- 8:00pm
16-hr fast
Eating past 8pm reduces overnight recovery. Optimal last meal: 7 to 8pm.
Drag the handles to match your day. The green band is the optimal window.
Food

Pick your moment. Scroll down for reference.

Protein in Real Food

Target 30g per meal. No tracking needed.

๐Ÿ—
Large chicken breast
30g protein
Lean. Fast prep. Versatile.
๐ŸŸ
Salmon fillet
30g protein
Omega-3s support recovery.
๐Ÿฅš
Three large eggs
19g protein
Pair with yoghurt to reach 30g.
๐Ÿถ
Greek yoghurt (200g)
20g protein
Full fat. Add berries and seeds.
Bread -- if you are eating it
  • 1
    SourdoughSlow fermentation reduces glycaemic impact. Best option.
  • 2
    Wholegrain ryeHigh fibre, slow release.
  • 3
    Seeded wholemealBetter than white. Seeds slow absorption.
  • -
    White breadFast storage signal spike. Avoid where possible.
Cheese -- most are fine
  • โœ“
    Hard cheeses (parmesan, cheddar, pecorino)High protein, low carb, minimal storage signal impact.
  • โœ“
    Soft cheeses (brie, camembert, feta)Fine in normal portions. Good with protein meals.
  • โœ“
    Cottage cheeseHigh casein -- slow-release protein. Good before sleep.
  • ~
    Processed slicesNot harmful. Minimal nutritional value.
Olive oil
  • โœ“
    Extra virgin -- cold useDressings, drizzling, finishing. Polyphenols intact.
  • โœ“
    Standard olive oil -- cookingHigher smoke point. Use above 180ยฐC. Extra virgin degrades at high heat.
Always Have These In
Fuelling Calculator
Sport-specific. Duration-specific.
Sport
Duration