CommunityBloodwork & Biomarkers

My Reta Improvements after 11 Weeks

15 replies11 peopleAug 8, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

What health changes occur after 11 weeks on retatrutide starting at low dose with added walking and a VA program?

The original poster reports starting retatrutide in May at 1 mg then 2 mg then 4 mg while walking briskly three times a week and joining the VA MOVE program. Labs after 11 weeks show 39 lb loss to 269 lb with fat reduction on BIA scale, A1c down to 6.0 allowing stop of metformin and jardiance, fasting glucose 85-92, plus better lipids and liver enzymes. Diet improved without food noise, high protein focus, and tracking via multiple apps and devices. Others note similar gains from combining the drug with movement and praise the mental relief from reduced food preoccupation.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

Whether meticulous calorie counting is still required once food noise is gone

Still open

How long the benefits and medication will be maintained long-term

Nothing here is advice.

15 replies · 11 people
KeenWillow41archiveopening postAug 8

Began on May 18. Starting conditions included obesity at 308 pounds, A1c of 7.6, average morning fasting glucose of 140 while taking metformin and jardiance for diabetes, sleep apnea needing 10 cm pressure on APAP, LDL at 130 with HDL at 32, and fatty liver with raised AST and ALT. Dosing went 1 mg for four weeks, 2 mg for four weeks, then 4 mg. Added brisk walking three times a week at 3.5 to 3.8 mph for an hour. Also entered the VA MOVE weight loss program, which I recommend. It did not supply the reta but let me enter the VA lottery for zepbound. As a veteran that is the only way to obtain it through the VA. I chose gray market reta for the liver fat reduction effect. Labs on 8/6 showed gains on all measures. Weight reached 269 for a 39 pound drop and the wyze scale with its 12 sensors indicates lean muscle stayed while fat came off. A DEXA would confirm but consistent BIA readings show the trend. A1c hit 6.0 so both metformin and jardiance were stopped on doctor advice. Morning fasting glucose now runs 85 to 92.

PlainQuill85archiveAug 8

And it has only just begun. Impressive results, congratulations.

SharpCinder55archiveAug 9

Nice progress. At what dose did the weight loss accelerate most or did it stay fairly steady the whole time? I am just beginning and will also add ghk-cu once it arrives Monday. Are you taking anything else? Which part of the move program did you find useful? They keep suggesting it to me for PTSD to improve socializing but I have not been convinced yet.

KeenWillow41archiveAug 9
↳ replying to @SharpCinder55

The move program offers solid information along with encouragement and practical advice. It does not simply say calorie deficit plus exercise is all that is needed. Not sure which dose produced the biggest effect. Here is my shotsy graph.

ClearLantern70archiveAug 9

Great work, happy for you. Thanks for sharing. These outcomes are strong and fairly typical when reta is paired with exercise. Keep the momentum and add resistance training when ready. Resistance bands are inexpensive, compact, and adaptable. Begin slowly to avoid injury. Results will increase further. Welcome to the start of a new chapter.

GreyFenwick31archiveAug 11

Excellent information here. Congratulations and I agree with the suggestion to add light resistance work, nothing extreme but enough to feel effort.

KeenKettle50archiveAug 11
↳ replying to @KeenWillow41 (opening post)

That is good news. Keep going. How does your overall diet look? Careful food choices can improve results beyond simply eating less.

KeenWillow41archiveAug 11
↳ replying to @KeenKettle50

Diet has improved because the absence of food noise lets me choose better. Goal weight is 200 and I aim for 200 grams of protein mostly from eggs and meat. Carbs come from whole vegetables, salads, and fruit with limited starches like potatoes and rice. No desire for sweets. Yogurt and dairy are included. Processed foods are being removed. No more McDonald’s snacks before dinner. This is the longest stretch I have maintained eating at my BMR while staying clean. It feels surprisingly easy.

KeenKettle50archiveAug 11

That approach is imprecise. Whole foods alone do not control calories. Exact calorie counting is necessary.

KeenWillow41archiveAug 11

I also recommend the yuka app for checking foods. It has shown me what I was really consuming. I track intake with myfitnesspal, exercise and sleep plus other data via apple watch ultra 3, weight and body composition on a wyze ultra body scan scale, and medical details through the VA including the move program with a dietitian, endocrinologist, and primary care doctor. All data feeds into apple health so I can review trends and fifteen years of lab history. My background in nuclear navy and building automation makes me track and trend everything.

KeenWillow41archiveAug 11

In the past the issue was never whether I could lose weight or follow the plan. It was whether I could keep it going past a month without giving in to the voice in my head. Given the health and diet gains on reta I think dropping the other medications for this one makes sense and I will remain on some form of GLP1 for life.

PatientKettle48archiveAug 11

You have lost nearly twice what I have in about the same time. I have been on tirz but your added efforts clearly multiplied the outcome. I have been sedentary because of other health problems and ankle trouble but today I began moving with purpose again. Sleep apnea resolved for me within the first week on tirz and all my labs improved as well.

BrightPebble34archiveAug 12
↳ replying to @KeenWillow41 (opening post)

I really admire the self-discipline and persistence. The detailed plan you put together is genuinely motivating.

GreyHarbour88archiveAug 12
↳ replying to @KeenKettle50

I notice that comment occasionally. I truly value not needing any meticulous tracking with food anymore. I am not yet at goal after 13 months but I could never return to that habit. One of the biggest advantages for me is noticing how much mental energy used to go toward food. It feels like an extra part of my brain is free now. I am never going back.

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