Mushy's [Reta] Fat Loss Progress

[Mushy404]

Hi all,

I have decided to make this thread after some encouragement to do so, to track my progress and make some tweaks which I hope to get constructive feedback on.

At first the goal is to lose fat and gain function. Then in no particular order, other goals include:

- Reach 250 lbs (then 200 lbs)
- Add lean mass
- Reduce the amount of loose skin I'm left with (will require surgery)
- Increase quality of life (i.e. sleep, get that pep back in my step, longevity etc)
- Repair my body (lingering weight related injuries)
- My cousin (v. close broski) today challenged me to perform a "flawless cartwheel" this exact date next year, at 8:45pm, at his wedding (I am 1 of the groomsmen)

A little background:
I wasn't always fat… In fact 10 years ago nobody would have said I was fat! In 2010 I used to be a fitness instructor, but around that time my life began to "slip". Long story short, not looking after my mind eventually manifested itself physically, leading to sedentary lifestyle and fat gain (~300 lbs).

In 2018 I made a fresh start in the UK and actually lost plenty of weight. I was active, going out with friends, some working out, and just generally happier (down to ~260 lbs). Then covid hit… I was working from home, putting the kids of food delivery companies through Uni, drinking A LOT of alcohol and never leaving the house.

I developed an unhealthy aversion to leaving the house even after lockdowns ended, partly because I was so fat and was ashamed. To wrap this bit up… fast forward to last year when I finished 1.5 years of counselling that helped with the first real push forward. Things gradually improved, I became happier but far from where I want to be. Started TRT 6 months ago which has helped a lot also, and that brings us to 2 weeks ago where I weighed 391 lbs and took my first shot of Retatrutide.


Stats:
- 38 Years
- Male
- 5ft 10 / 180cm (OR 9.5 creamy pints of Guinness stacked)
- Started at 391 lbs 2 weeks ago (410 at my fattest)
- Current weight is 372.4 lbs (-18.6lbs in 2 weeks!)

Taking:
- Taking Reta (started at 2mg E5D but now at 2mg E3D - aiming for ~8mg to maximise the benefits of glucagon)
- TRT (stopped gel yesterday) @ 44mg Test Cyp E3D SubC
- Methylene Blue (cant actually remember the dose, but enough drops to start to see a bit of it in my urine. I measured it at the time, but forgot the dose due to taking a break)
- Been taking 0.25mg of anastrozole E3D (have litterally just moved it to E4D to try tweak how I feel) to manage the obesity-spiked E2
- 100mg of Losartan for high BP (down to high-normal now)
- Taking 2.5mg am/pm of Apixaban for suspected Protein S deficiency (blood clot disorder) which I am waiting to have confirmed (long story, but I doubt I have this)
- 150mcg of levothyroxine for hypothyroidism (I believe this was an early contributor to my spiral)

NOTE: HGH and Secretogues are likely to make an appearance at some point over this journey, for various benefits.

I have attached my most recent wider bloodwork. I will have another of these in 8 weeks as part of the review following switching from TestoGel to Test Cyp.
However, just 2 weeks ago I had a Testosterone and Oestradiol test which came back T = 29.9 nmol (Range is 12-30) and Oestradiol = 52 pmol (Range is 41-159).

There are some obvious issues in the attached bloodwork, however I believe the results of the test in 8 weeks will show improvements.

So that's it for now!
I will update this thread periodically, but if anyone has any questions, fire away!

 

[Mushy404]

Progress: Start @ 391 lbs (16 Jul 25)

• Week 1: 380.8 lbs (-10.2 lbs)
• Week 2: 372.4 lbs (-8.4 lbs)

 

[BigDadd7]

In for the cartwheel!

 

[phenominal34]

Fitness instructor ?? How much did you weigh then ?

 

[Mushy404]

Fitness instructor ?? How much did you weigh then ?

In 2010 I was less than 200lbs I think - I cannot actually remember.
I didnt have abs showing, but I was absolutely not fat.

Here's a comparrison to now

 

[Mushy404]

Compared to now

 

[phenominal34]

Well I respect your honesty. Consistency is key bud. It took a while to put the weight on and it’s gonna take a while to get it off. Good luck on your journey

 

[songsofpyramids]

Is your doctor clued in on your use of Reta, trt, and peptides? If not, with your bloodwork, and the amount of drugs you’re currently taking I absolutely would inform them and ask advice.

How long have you been managing your hypothyroidism? I would be very hesitant fucking around with gh secretagogues or gh itself with hypothyroidism you just started managing. Ipamorelin alone has fucked with my thyroid hormones, I imagine Tesa would more so, and hgh even worse hits to the thyroid. Dial in the thyroid first, and do follow up testing because these drugs will absolutely mess with your thyroid especially if you’ve got hyperthyroidism.

I would also ask your doctor, or go out and third party pay, to get more of your hormone profile tested if you have not done so already. I would keep a steady eye on your prolactin and cortisol while using these drugs at your weight with your current bloodwork.

Congratulations on the first leg of your journey! You should be proud of yourself! I would try and bolster yourself away from magic thinking that all these drugs people use in bodybuilding are all necessary for you, all helpful for you, or miracle cures that will fix the extreme obstacles like loose skin you will face on the road to your goal. It sounds like you’re off to a great start, and I would be hesitant adding and dropping drugs suddenly, which it sounds like you are doing, especially if your doctor isn’t helping you manage these drugs on top of what you’re already taking.

 

[Mushy404]

Is your doctor clued in on your use of Reta, trt, and peptides? If not, with your bloodwork, and the amount of drugs you’re currently taking I absolutely would inform them and ask advice.

How long have you been managing your hypothyroidism? I would be very hesitant fucking around with gh secretagogues or gh itself with hypothyroidism you just started managing. Ipamorelin alone has fucked with my thyroid hormones, I imagine Tesa would more so, and hgh even worse hits to the thyroid. Dial in the thyroid first, and do follow up testing because these drugs will absolutely mess with your thyroid especially if you’ve got hyperthyroidism.

I would also ask your doctor, or go out and third party pay, to get more of your hormone profile tested if you have not done so already. I would keep a steady eye on your prolactin and cortisol while using these drugs at your weight with your current bloodwork.

Congratulations on the first leg of your journey! You should be proud of yourself! I would try and bolster yourself away from magic thinking that all these drugs people use in bodybuilding are all necessary for you, all helpful for you, or miracle cures that will fix the extreme obstacles like loose skin you will face on the road to your goal. It sounds like you’re off to a great start, and I would be hesitant adding and dropping drugs suddenly, which it sounds like you are doing, especially if your doctor isn’t helping you manage these drugs on top of what you’re already taking.

I wouldn't ask my GP for directions if I met him on the street! I need to switch to a new GP practice but it very difficult at the moment due to the UK's drowning National Health System (NHS).
Plus I don't want any of it on my file, because my health insurance would cream their pants if I ever made a claim - typical insurance providers.

I've taken my health into my own hands largely. I try to learn what I can when I become aware of it. I use my GP to prescribe, for sick notes, and referrals to specialists. The TRT clinic I am with seem to bounce me around with their staff, seldom the same person twice in a row - I'll consider telling them though as I would really like to have medical overseeing from someone that knows the ins and outs of what I am doing. So, sure, absolutely a valid point you raise.

I have been meaning to get a wider range of bloods done - no excuses really, just havent done it. Plenty of blood testing places here in the UK too, so will get on that. Though, I do have another TRT test in 8 weeks, so will wait until after than before getting the wider tests.

I'm really interested to see what my haematocrit level is like now that I have started Test Cyp e3d. It was fine on ed testogel, but is likely to rise with this new protocol.

Thyroid has been in check for years. This began to be medicated about 10 years ago I believe - cant actually remember. Thanks for the caution though.

EDIT: In fact, I'm a little harsh on my actual GP there. It's moreso the entire practice that's shit. And that drags him down also. He's actually not too bad to be fair, but I still need to find a new GP practice

 

[Mushy404]

UPDATE:

Moved from x1/week reta to x2/week 2 days ago, however I also increased my weekly dose.

Was 2mg/week, and now 2mg E3D - so essentially 4mg/week now and this is the first time that I have struggled to eat.

For the most part I am fasting (eg. OMAD, 20:4, 16:8), however I feel it's smart to add in some refeed days to avoid tanking my metabolism. But BOOOOOY are refeed days gonna suck! Especially if this 1st one is anything to go by.

I need to be smarter about and adjust refeed days as yesterday I didnt eat until 1:30pm, and because of the Reta I was still full at 8pm when I ate some salmon. Woke up at 2am choking on fishy acid reflux hahah. I DO NOT recommend this experience.

On refeed days I should get my first meal in early (breakfast), but I may need to start taking some sort of digestive aid. Any suggestions?


I have also started Tesamorlin and Ipamorelin to aid with increasing natural GH pulses. However, since Reta is already aggressively reducing visceral and liver fat, this aspect of Tesa is redundant. So when this Tesa runs out in 7-10 weeks I think I might find something else to stack with the Ipa. -Open to suggestions

 

[Mushy404]

Pondering:

My last bloods were checked on July 10th, and showed my E2 as being 52pmol/L. While feeling better than prior to TRT, it was way off how I felt the first few weeks of TRT - during those few weeks my sex drive woke up, stronger erections, morning wood and just generally felt great. A pep in my step if you will.

Considering those bloods were taken the am of the day I took my next .25mg of anastrozole (I was taking e3d), and with 52pmol being a little on the low end, I decided to move to same dose but e4d. NOTE: I also moved from test gel to injectable that same day.

This was only last week, so I'm not surprised I have not noticed a massive difference, but I may perhaps feel a subtle difference - could be placebo either.

ANYWAY...
My pondering now is, perhaps I should have moved to e5d instead - because that 52pmol was take at the highest E2 point - meaning for the other days I am probably closer to 40, 30?

Anyone with first hand experience of using Anastrazole care to chime in? With those levels, do you think e5d might be the better move too? I'm probably going to do this, but will definitely consider any experience anyone cares to share. Thanks

 

[Elektrobot]

You wrote a lot about the drugs you are taking, but I didn't see anything written about what you are doing.

I did see where you wrote that you "took your health into your own hands", while at the same time asking basic questions about drugs you have already started taking without having a full understanding of them.

You are on 4 different drugs just to manage health conditions, but then ask about adding even more drugs like HGH? Dude, get real.

You are self medicating with compounds that you haven't learned enough about yet, and doing it without cluing your Dr. in. I don't know what outcome you are expecting from that.... but I think if you presented in the ER as a 400 pound person with multiple prescriptions for chronic health conditions, out of range bloodwork and thyroid problems who "took their health into their own hands", they would ask you what the fuck were you thinking.

Lets narrow in on some things

Why did you start test and what are you expecting from it

Why did you start Methylene Blue and what are you expecting from it

You are 400 pounds. Aromatase exists in adipose tissue. You have lots of that. Testosterone might not be for you right now.

You mentioned "refeed days". What are you "refeeding" (from here on out referred to as calorie cycling) for? You mentioned not wanting to slow your metabolism. Your metabolic rate isn't determined by your intake. It's determined by your body mass and energy requirements. ... but you were a trainer so you already know that, right? The only reason to calorie cycle is if you have heavy gym days you need more glucose for. I don't think that's going to apply right now.


Less drugs. More learning. Dive into understanding nutrition. Get a food scale. Weigh everything you eat to the gram. Track it in an app. That is the only thing you should be focused on. Drop the drug interest.

And stay up to date with your dr visits and keep them informed. You are a patient who is severely obese with chronic heath problems that need management. Do not take that into your own hands.

 

[dinfar1337]

You mentioned "refeed days". What are you "refeeding" (from here on out referred to as calorie cycling) for? You mentioned not wanting to slow your metabolism. Your metabolic rate isn't determined by your intake. It's determined by your body mass and energy requirements. ... but you were a trainer so you already know that, right? The only reason to calorie cycle is if you have heavy gym days you need more glucose for. I don't think that's going to apply right now.

he also mentioned being hyperthyroid.

is he on thyroid medication?

being on thyroid medication usually means 0 metabolic adaption at all

i checked and he is on full 150mg of levothyroxine!

 

[Mushy404]

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

NOTE: When I mentioned that I used to be a fitness instructor, this was said to emphasis the change in body composition over 15 years, not to claim a wealth of knowledge. It was just a mickey mouse qualification and most of what I know came from learning outside of this.

So to answer your questions...

- Why did you start test and what are you expecting from it?

I started TRT after consulting with a TRT clinic in the UK where we had multiple blood tests return a result of very low Testosterone. Around 4nmol/L (12 is the bottom end of normal). I presented to them with almost all the typical signed of low T and since starting TRT all my symptoms have improved to some degree and my quality of life is better. Because of the fat/Aromatase, my E2 left the normal range and I found that most of the improvements declined - though still better than before TRT. I was put on Anastrazole for this by my TRT doc (.25mg e3d).

- Why did you start Methylene Blue and what are you expecting from it?

The main reason for this is improved mitochondrial function, energy metabolism and cognitive enhancement - all of which I have been seeing benefits from (unless placebo). I feel lighter, my mind clearer, I feel less lethargic and thus have been moving more - and WANTING to move more. I believe there is some autophagy support to also, but the rest of what I said is the main reason for taking it.

- What are you "refeeding" (from here on out referred to as calorie cycling) for? You mentioned not wanting to slow your metabolism. Your metabolic rate isn't determined by your intake.

From my understanding, prolonged caloric restriction can decrease resting metabolic rate. I do not know exactly how much this may be by, but all things considered, this is more likely to help than to hinder. I believe prolonged caloric restriction can also affect thyroid function also, so I'll be interested to see what my bloods look like in 7 weeks (I'll be requesting a more comprehensive panel of bloods this time, to give me a broader understanding of where I am at and clues as to what to adjust.


PS: Can I ask what your background is in? Or what it is that adds weight to your opinions? I don't know you from Adam, so it would be nice to have an idea of where you are coming from, knowledge-wise

 

[Mushy404]

he also mentioned being hyperthyroid.

is he on thyroid medication?

being on thyroid medication usually means 0 metabolic adaption at all

i checked and he is on full 150mg of levothyroxine!

Hey mate,

The other way around. Hypo and was diagnosed quite a few years ago - can't actually remember.

And yep, I am on 150mcgs of Levothyroxine per day.
Bloods indicate that this is well managed.

 

[dinfar1337]

Hey mate,

The other way around. Hypo and was diagnosed quite a few years ago - can't actually remember.

And yep, I am on 150mcgs of Levothyroxine per day.
Bloods indicate that this is well managed.

then you wont get a metabolic slowdown from dieting and u can go full ham on your diet until your goal is achieved

 

[Mushy404]

then you wont get a metabolic slowdown from dieting and u can go full ham on your diet until your goal is achieved

That would be nice because forcing myself to eat on Reta, SUCKS.

I'll need to read up on it again. You got anything specific for me to read? No worries if not, I'll manage.

I cant exactly remember what it was i read before, but it would be good for me to read up on it all again but it was on T4 to T3 conversion.

 

[dinfar1337]

That would be nice because forcing myself to eat on Reta, SUCKS.

I'll need to read up on it again. You got anything specific for me to read? No worries if not, I'll manage.

I cant exactly remember what it was i read before, but it would be good for me to read up on it all again but it was on T4 to T3 conversion.

no i dont wanna mention any studies i dont save whatever i read and i am wrong sometimes!

there could be a possible decline in t4 when dieting ( having low food intake ).

there is other bad shit studies mentioning adaptive thermogenesis but i dont believe in it since i am palestinian and my people sadly are a real life experiment of if u get a calorie deficit u will lose weight. beyond whatever your goal is.

your body will not get a slowed metabolism from dieting, maybe from losing weight but that is the goal.

 

[Mushy404]

I've looked again and it appears that caloric restriction and fasting does in fact decrease conversion of T4 to T3. It also increases rT3.

This would seem to support my reasoning for adding some caloric surplus days. I will look to include wider Thyroid testing in my next blood test as the ones up to now only show FT4 TSH.

 

[dinfar1337]

I've looked again and it appears that caloric restriction and fasting does in fact decrease conversion of T4 to T3. It also increases rT3.

This would seem to support my reasoning for adding some caloric surplus days. I will look to include wider Thyroid testing in my next blood test as the ones up to now only show FT4 TSH.

ive looked at it again because i was like this cant be true


as you lose "bodyweight" you produce less t3, which is expected and what i said, you will burn less the less u weigh but this have nothing to do with dieting particularly and cant be avoided.


there was no change in t4>t3 conversion or free t4 or tsh