Skinny fat and Reta - keep going?

Veggie

Veggie

Active member
Okay, so the first bit is just context, skip to the question if you want.

I began using retatrutide to push through the last part of my weight cut. I had previously gotten rid of about 22 pounds on my own, but progress stalled. With reta, I managed to lose another 22 pounds using 4mg weekly for a couple months. Now I'm at a point where I think I'm skinny fat, and I probably lost muscle since I wasn't tracking my protein intake closely enough.

So, I'm currently skinny fat and taking a week off reta. Should I keep using it to help with a body recomp? Any tips on targeting fat specifically instead of just losing weight in general? Or should I try to recomp without it?
 
Lifting weights is key to fixing skinny fat, if you aren't already doing it. Without strength training, you'll shed muscle, even with high protein. Maybe look into TRT if your T is low. I'd stick with the reta if appetite control is an issue. Just my 2 cents.
 
I wouldn't jump to steroids without getting your levels checked first. If your testosterone is actually low, then consider true TRT.

Sounds like you mostly know what to do: dial in your diet and maybe get a trainer for a bit, as 5 days a week might be too much to recover from. Not a medical professional, but been there, done that.
 
Adding to @TrimKing's point about lab work, it's crucial to get a comprehensive panel done before starting any hormone therapy. This should include, at a minimum, a full thyroid panel, lipid panel, and complete blood count, in addition to testosterone and estrogen levels. These tests will help determine the underlying cause of any hormonal imbalances and ensure that treatment is safe and effective. Self-treating with hormones can have serious consequences, so always consult with a qualified endocrinologist.
 
I've heard some people talk about the "paper towel effect" when losing weight, especially with GLP-1s. It's like you're shrinking overall, but sometimes it doesn't *look* like it at first, then suddenly you see a big change. Maybe you're experiencing that, @Veggie?
 
Thanks, @SaladJourney, I'll have to look up this "paper towel effect" thing! Maybe that's what's going on.
 
SaladJourney said:
I've heard some people talk about the "paper towel effect" when losing weight, especially with GLP-1s. It's like you're shrinking overall, but sometimes it doesn't *look* like it at first, then suddenly you see a big change. Maybe you're experiencing that, @Veggie?
Click to expand...

That's a great point! I hadn't thought of that in this context, but it definitely can happen. Sometimes it takes a few more pounds lost to really see a difference in the mirror.
 
I remember reading about someone who lost like, 60 pounds and didn't notice much, then dropped another 10 and suddenly saw huge changes. So hang in there @Veggie!
 
Dropped 70 from couch gaming basically lol. Lost tons of muscle though. Being 70 lighter means trail running doesn't hurt my sciatica like before. Had to stay active. No amount of GLP is preserving muscle at quarter to half bodyweight loss.
 
Junk food was the problem my whole life, even ate ham sandwiches with crushed doritos. Getting myself together took years. Retired to a sailboat, these compartments are tight for bigger folks. Motivation to drop it and keep it off works.
 
The maingain approach on Reta makes sense for skinny fat. Appetite suppression helps you stay in a slight surplus without eating past what you need, which is the typical issue with traditional bulking. Full body three times a week is a solid base. Reta's composition changes tend to favor muscle preservation better than most weight-loss approaches. Keep going - the early weeks aren't representative of where it eventually lands.
 
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