Newbie on Spam and Pickles -- basic questions and strength retention

Hi guys I’m starting spam and pickles today. I had been interested in the snake diet/Cole for a while but never really implemented it, this new approach seems very non-intimidating to me. I’ve done keto and carnivore and also VLCD type diets with shakes before, so really not much new here other than the low protein and high salt.

• I was wondering if there is serving size guidance on the pickles? Because like other things, pickles come in all different shapes and sizes :). Is there any serving size recommendation in grams or anything?

• Would it have a negative effect of I split in 2 instead of 3 meals? Same amount of food just less meals? Might be more operationally viable for me. I know this is basically a fasting mimicking diet and that eating smaller meals may be better. But how much of a difference would it be? I’d probably go breakfast/dinner with a 10-12 hours window in between.

• Do you supplement potassium? Spam and Pickles have plenty of salt but basically no potassium. And I tend to gag on high potassium drinks for some reason (it’s not even the taste, some kind of involuntary reaction).

• I happen to have some phentermine. Should I take it, or nah? It’s about two weeks worth and I wouldn’t want to get a refill, but might help kickstart.

• Can I expect to retain strength/muscle? I’m age 40, 6’2”, 375. I also take TRT and keep my test level around 800-900. Want to get down to 235 or so. I don’t care to be lean, just not morbidly obese. Basically 30 BMI is my goal. I’m kind of an ogre naturally and OK with that. I can currently deadlift around 600 and overhead press around 240 (these are the main gym lifts that I train for, I use them as base training for strongman). I expect some strength loss but is it reasonable to expect I could keep 500/200ish?

• For training, how should I modify my workout. I mainly train backyard strongman stuff following the principles of Dan John. Is doing 2x5 of big lifts and some farmers walks ~4 days a week too much? Should I be doing conditioning stuff or just cut it? Walking?

• I’m super conditioned through conventional wisdom to think that high protein is an absolute requirement for strength and body composition. What information is out there to help challenge this? Cole’s screaming is one thing but is there anything more rigorous that I should be reading?

Thanks – just had my first serving of spam since I was a kid and it wasn’t too bad actually :). Cooked in ghee on cast iron. I might see if I can smoke some this weekend.