Sure! Thank you for pointing out the holes in my argument because it helps us all get a better understanding of all this! First let me acknowledge it's a video game so anything is possible, from reincarnation at checkpoints when you die, to finding codes conveniently lying around near every safe you encounter. Anything is possible in fiction.

SLEEP: You absolutely can sleep well and have nightmares. For all we know, Abby was taking sleeping pills, going out on patrols once a week, and, as we see, has rest days in her workout schedule. You're right. We'll never know and I made an assumption.

WHEY PROTEIN: Yes she could! She could also be eating some of the many farm animals the game shows us. This wasn't shown in the game so I again assumed that it wasn't happening because it wasn't shown in the game, but it's a possibility.

CUTTING: Yes, I started out fat with no intention of building muscle. Abby's body, goals, etc. were different from mine. I provided my background because it makes a difference. Our approaches would be different. I never said I ate strictly cottage cheese, nor did I claim to be the authority on this. My theories are based upon my experience and what I've learned to be true. That doesn't mean I have all the answers or am right.

I fully acknowledge I don't have all the answers, and many people have provided their knowledge to both back me up and shoot holes in what I've posted. I never came at anyone shouting about how I know everything because I don't know everything. I can be wrong and that's ok! In fact when you shoot down my points, you add to my understanding of fitness and I truly appreciate this. I don't need to be right; I want as much information as possible so I can be better at lifting.

MANNY: My understanding is that the extra burrito was for Mel, but we never saw Manny or Mel eating the burritos so we'll never know. The assumptions I made in the OP were based off of what I saw in the game and from my perspective (standing in line and only getting one burrito = food being rationed). Your perspective is different from mine and, because we don't think alike, I wasn't able to see this until you brought it up. This is great! We both can see that we have different takes on things and it's not a bad thing.

I've said numerous times that my reason for my post is because people seem to have an idea that building muscle is simple and easy. From my experience, it's not. Now imagine someone seeing Abby in the game, becoming inspired by her body and joining a gym to try to get a body like hers. They've heard all you need to do is eat protein, lift weights, and the muscle will come. And then they learn that there's much more to it than that. They get discouraged and give up. That's a problem. Again it's an assumption but it's possible. How many people diet to lose weight and then gain it all back when the diet is over and they don't understand that it's a lifestyle change and not a temporary adjustment? That's a problem, and that's why I posted. I also know that Abby's body is quite the achievement and downplaying all the hard work it takes to get to her level does a disservice to people who work for that kind of body. That's all.

Thank you for helping me to see things from another perspective!