Reta/ Var for cutting 22% bf > 15%

[jboogie83]

42 years old, struggled with weight gain all my life. I've been on TRT for over 2 years now, ended my first real 12 week cycle of 450 test C about 3 months ago (probably should have ran 300).

Currently running my 160 mg TRT with 20mg Anavar to cut bf, shooting for 22 > 15ish%. I already dropped about 10 lbs of water in November doing a step challenge at work, started the Reta right around Thanksgiving. I'm on 1mg/ week so far, trying to keep it low.

My question is simple I guess.. is the Var a waste right now? I'm definitely noticing a difference already, and my weight is dropping 2-3lbs/ week. I'm terrified to lose any of the gains I've made, which is why I gave the Var a go. Is this dumb?

 

[wp_375]

Var will help you maintain muscle during your cut but don't think of it as something that will help you lose weight.

I would up your Reta dose to at least 2mg, not sure why you are running it at half the lowest starting dose in the studies. It will do way more for you than Var will

 

[adrenalytic]

42 years old, struggled with weight gain all my life. I've been on TRT for over 2 years now, ended my first real 12 week cycle of 450 test C about 3 months ago (probably should have ran 300).

Currently running my 160 mg TRT with 20mg Anavar to cut bf, shooting for 22 > 15ish%. I already dropped about 10 lbs of water in November doing a step challenge at work, started the Reta right around Thanksgiving. I'm on 1mg/ week so far, trying to keep it low.

My question is simple I guess.. is the Var a waste right now? I'm definitely noticing a difference already, and my weight is dropping 2-3lbs/ week. I'm terrified to lose any of the gains I've made, which is why I gave the Var a go. Is this dumb?

Tell us how your cycle went. You mention the drugs but not the results. Starting weight and ending weight? You said you've struggled with weight gain but you're at 22% bf? That's obese, my friend. Something isn't adding up here. Some physique pics would be useful. Before and after your cycle if possible?

 

[jboogie83]

Var will help you maintain muscle during your cut but don't think of it as something that will help you lose weight.

I would up your Reta dose to at least 2mg, not sure why you are running it at half the lowest starting dose in the studies. It will do way more for you than Var will

I started at .5, still titrating up. I read that 1mg is minimum for all 3 pathways, but I'm not opposed to upping it if/ when necessary. I'm going to look into what you're saying about the 2mg dosing.

Tell us how your cycle went. You mention the drugs but not the results. Starting weight and ending weight? You said you've struggled with weight gain but you're at 22% bf? That's obese, my friend. Something isn't adding up here. Some physique pics would be useful. Before and after your cycle if possible?

Poor wording, I apologize.. I meant I struggle with keeping the weight off. I've lost significant amounts of weight in the past, only for it to return. Either way, I finally have the lifestyle shit in check and figured I'd take a ride on the dark side for a bit.

I got down to 210 last year, got back up to 250 this past September, much of which was while on that cycle. I gained a ton of strength and muscle, but also a bit of chunk of course.


I struggle with binge eating, hence the Reta.

 

[adrenalytic]

I started at .5, still titrating up. I read that 1mg is minimum for all 3 pathways, but I'm not opposed to upping it if/ when necessary. I'm going to look into what you're saying about the 2mg dosing.

Poor wording, I apologize.. I meant I struggle with keeping the weight off. I've lost significant amounts of weight in the past, only for it to return. Either way, I finally have the lifestyle shit in check and figured I'd take a ride on the dark side for a bit.

I got down to 210 last year, got back up to 250 this past September, much of which was while on that cycle. I gained a ton of strength and muscle, but also a bit of chunk of course.


I struggle with binge eating, hence the Reta.

Ok. That makes more sense. Do you know what your total test and free test are at the levels of test you're cruising on now? that plays a big part in holding onto muscle in a deficit. And how deep of a deficit do you plan on being in? I wouldn't lose more than a pound a week so like a 500 daily calorie deficit max.

Anavar will help hold onto the muscle but at your bf% I'd be concerned with lipids. Var wrecks HDL and if you have bad LDL, well, all the more fucked you get.

 

[delay3s]

var probably isnt needed for muscle preservation as trt would be enough, but you didn’t put your weight only your bf% so not sure how much muscle you have. But at 20mg it also probably won’t hurt much especially if your doing cardio eating right which you should be obviously. If the var is helping with gym performance and you want to keep it in the stack it’s fine but trt and Reta is a great and simple stack to get lean without any bad side effects. Hgh would be a good addition if you want to add something or replace the var

 

[adrenalytic]

I started at .5, still titrating up. I read that 1mg is minimum for all 3 pathways, but I'm not opposed to upping it if/ when necessary. I'm going to look into what you're saying about the 2mg dosing.

Poor wording, I apologize.. I meant I struggle with keeping the weight off. I've lost significant amounts of weight in the past, only for it to return. Either way, I finally have the lifestyle shit in check and figured I'd take a ride on the dark side for a bit.

I got down to 210 last year, got back up to 250 this past September, much of which was while on that cycle. I gained a ton of strength and muscle, but also a bit of chunk of course.


I struggle with binge eating, hence the Reta.

Also, you're basically recomping so you have that going for you. You can still actually build muscle and lose weight when you have a lot of fat to lose. As you get closer to 10-12% is really when the risk to muscle becomes higher.

Basically, don't overthink this. You're fat and you should prioritize not being so. I assure you you didn't put on as much muscle as you think you did. Probably 5-7 lbs. of actual contractile tissue. The rest was fat. Let that sink in.

Once you get lean you can run all the blasts you want and feel good about it because you'll look good and your bloodwork will be tip top. And you will never be fat again because while steroids don't get you lean, they sure as hell keep you there. Priorities my dude.

And like that other dude said, get some GH. Shit's fire.

 

[jboogie83]

Also, you're basically recomping so you have that going for you. You can still actually build muscle and lose weight when you have a lot of fat to lose. As you get closer to 10-12% is really when the risk to muscle becomes higher.

Basically, don't overthink this. You're fat and you should prioritize not being so. I assure you you didn't put on as much muscle as you think you did. Probably 5-7 lbs. of actual contractile tissue. The rest was fat. Let that sink in.

Once you get lean you can run all the blasts you want and feel good about it because you'll look good and your bloodwork will be tip top. And you will never be fat again because while steroids don't get you lean, they sure as hell keep you there. Priorities my dude.

And like that other dude said, get some GH. Shit's fire.

Oh, GH is what I'm absolutely looking into right now.. And yes, that was the cold hard truth I needed to come to terms with.. gotta get lean first. Also, here's progress -

 

[adrenalytic]

Oh, GH is what I'm absolutely looking into right now.. And yes, that was the cold hard truth I needed to come to terms with.. gotta get lean first. Also, here's progress -

Ok you're not as fat as I was thinking. Def not 22%. Probably closer to 18%. Keep at it brother, I can tell you have some battle scars like me. I once weighed 260 lbs. 40+% bf.

 

[jboogie83]

I really appreciate that! I used to be about 340 at one point. Did I mention the crippling body dysmorphia? Lol

 

[adrenalytic]

I really appreciate that! I used to be about 340 at one point. Did I mention the crippling body dysmorphia? Lol

Damn, congrats on the progress. Unfortunately, the dysmorphia stays around for a while. I still get a little self conscious taking my shirt off even though I know I look great. It fades but still sometimes feel like a fat person lol. sucks.

 

[hellerhiwater]

Ok you're not as fat as I was thinking. Def not 22%. Probably closer to 18%. Keep at it brother, I can tell you have some battle scars like me. I once weighed 260 lbs. 40+% bf.

how is that picture 18% bf, but an additional 4% bf to 22% is obese?

sorry if thats confusing im just trying to understand, ive never heard of 22% bf being obese before

 

[adrenalytic]

how is that picture 18% bf, but an additional 4% bf to 22% is obese?

sorry if thats confusing im just trying to understand, ive never heard of 22% bf being obese before

this is a pretty good reference chart. Maybe obese was pushing it but over weight for sure. As you get lower in bf% it becomes less obvious between percentages.

 

[dinfaralt]

I'm terrified to lose any of the gains I've made

then stay fat forever

 

[xrayphoton13]

I started at .5, still titrating up. I read that 1mg is minimum for all 3 pathways, but I'm not opposed to upping it if/ when necessary. I'm going to look into what you're saying about the 2mg dosing.

Poor wording, I apologize.. I meant I struggle with keeping the weight off. I've lost significant amounts of weight in the past, only for it to return. Either way, I finally have the lifestyle shit in check and figured I'd take a ride on the dark side for a bit.

I got down to 210 last year, got back up to 250 this past September, much of which was while on that cycle. I gained a ton of strength and muscle, but also a bit of chunk of course.


I struggle with binge eating, hence the Reta.

I don't understand the 1mg minimum for all 3 pathways. Sounds like bro science. That's like saying you need to be at least 10% bf before using masteron or you need to use at least 1g of eq. Makes no sense. I would stick with the dosing schedule used in the trials. Sometimes they even start too low just bc some people can be huge babies when it comes to feeling any side effects. Ozempic starts at 0.25mg and my doc laughed and said no, we will start you at 0.5mg. but then again if 1mg is working for you and keeping you from eating who an I to argue is effectiveness. Just for me it didn't work. i got nothing from reta even at 6mg with 1mg cagrilintide

Look up Lyle McDonald. He can tell you everything you need to know about losing weight and preserving muscle mass and dealing with binge eating. Here are some of his books:

The Glp1 solution

Amazon.com

Rapid fatloss handbook:

The Rapid Fat Loss Handbook – Bodyrecomposition Store

store.bodyrecomposition.com

Guide to flexible dieting:

A Guide to Flexible Dieting – Bodyrecomposition Store

store.bodyrecomposition.com

The second two are on his website. Use coupon code Mikehasnoprocard for a discount

 

[dinfaralt]

Amazon.com

Rapid fatloss handbook:

The Rapid Fat Loss Handbook – Bodyrecomposition Store

store.bodyrecomposition.com

Guide to flexible dieting:

A Guide to Flexible Dieting – Bodyrecomposition Store

store.bodyrecomposition.com

The second two are on his website. Use coupon code Mikehasnoprocard for a discount

the important stuff i remember about the book is can go below 1500 calories for aggresive cutting, no more than 4 or 6 weeks.

refeeds, refeeds, carb cycling.

what you need for cutting other than refeeds the book dosent tell you about; tracking avg weekly weight and calories.

weight must go down by 0.5-1% of total bw every week. it dosent matter if u eat 2500 calories for this or 1500 calories. you must achieve atleast this speed of weight loss and you're dropping maximum amount of fat possible with least muscle loss.

 

[jboogie83]

then stay fat forever

Nah, I'm good. Actually doing well with my progress, but thanks for the encouragement.

 

[RoxasShadow]

Losing muscle on aggressive cuts especially on TRT and co. is hard enough people don't even get it. People see themselves smaller due to loss of fat outside but also, and especially INSIDE the muscle.
They never have had that muscle to begin with. Take a ribeye and melt the fat, see what happens. Or look at beef jerky.