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Starting from scratch after major weight loss best route to build muscle?

36 replies13 peopleMay 6, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

best peptides or methods to build muscle after major weight loss when starting from skinny fat with little prior muscle

The thread shows a 38-year-old man post-weight-loss seeking peptide options like CJC/Ipamorelin or Tesamorelin alongside lifting and diet to add lean mass. Most replies stress bloodwork first, consistent resistance training, adequate protein, and sleep over peptides, noting that GH secretagogues or HGH offer only subtle recovery or fullness effects at best and carry side-effect risks. Several users report variable sleep impacts and tendon concerns, while others highlight newbie gains and warn against rushing into hormones without labs. Creatine and tendon-focused work are suggested as practical early steps.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

Whether to prioritize bloodwork before starting training or begin lifting immediately while awaiting results; also differing experiences with Tesamorelin versus Ipamorelin on sleep, hunger, and side effects

Still open

Whether any peptide route meaningfully accelerates visible muscle growth versus training and diet alone for a complete novice

Nothing here is advice.

36 replies · 13 people
WryCinder96archiveopening postMay 6

I'm a 38 year old guy. It's been years since I last worked out. I'm six foot two and weigh two hundred pounds. Previously I carried extra weight but I've shed quite a bit recently with retatrutide and I'm near my target. The problem now is I lacked muscle from the start so I have this skinny fat look and my body composition is basically empty. I'm getting ready to begin weight training and create a program from the ground up. My eating habits are sorted and I'm going to slowly raise my protein and overall intake. What I'm unsure about is the peptide path to take. I've looked at discussions in various places but I'm not certain if I should try CJC combined with Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin or some other option that might fit here. My aim is straightforward: gain some muscle without undoing what I've achieved so far. For someone like me who's essentially at zero muscle after dropping the weight, what choice would make sense?

ClearWillow37archiveMay 6

I'm a fit woman in my middle years and found the first option worked better for me overall. The second one ramped up my appetite signals sharply because it acts on the hunger hormone system, even alongside the other compound. Strength improvements came more readily with the first choice along with shedding that persistent midsection fat, and this held even on lighter workout days. Hitting around a hundred grams of protein each day as a smaller person led to noticeable muscle growth and power increases no matter how often or intensely I trained. The higher cost felt justified after seeing those results. Switching to the cheaper alternative brought on typical problems tied to growth hormone types, like wrist nerve pain, stubborn tendon strains that didn't respond to the usual recovery aids, tingling in my limbs each morning, and swelling when I skipped a dose while away. None of that showed up with the first option. The reason for ramping protein intake slowly is to avoid digestive trouble from a sudden jump in volume. Starting at zero means easing in because connective tissues lag behind the faster muscle progress. Even when lifts feel light enough to add weight, sticking with the same load for several weeks builds a safer base.

GreyAlder96archiveMay 6

I'd pick plain growth hormone instead. It costs less right now and everyone knows it delivers. Two units daily brings most users near the top of normal levels. A couple pounds of fluid buildup shows up no matter which option you choose. Stay grounded about what to expect though. Neither option alone adds any real muscle size. The most you notice is a modest roundness in the muscles. Changes stay mild and low key. You might see a bit faster healing along with tougher joints and ligaments. Burning fat gets way too much credit here. There is a modest effect but easier and stronger routes exist for that goal.

LevelThistle44archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @WryCinder96 (opening post)

I get lab tests done on my testosterone and IGF-1 levels first, ahead of choosing what to add to my weight training.

SharpThistle74archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @LevelThistle44

I completely see eye to eye on beginning with a strength training routine before anything else. Putting in effort consistently matters a lot no matter what. Being 38 years old, I'd steer clear of growth hormone paths unless there's a low IGF-1 score. I gave one a shot myself due to a similar score at 44 and it didn't suit me at all. Taking outside testosterone means committing for life and that's something serious to consider. Since you're new to this, put your energy into building the habit, the workouts, proper nutrition, and solid rest. Beginners often see quick improvements from those initial changes and that can last some time.

WryCinder96archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @ClearWillow37

Thanks for replying. Someone was offering the different substance besides tess with no charge involved and that prompted my initial interest. Your input has me set on choosing tess without any doubt.

LevelThistle44archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @SharpThistle74

Honestly, blood tests make sense to do right away since they give clear measurements fast without leaving things uncertain. Putting it off doesn't seem to bring any upside based on what I can tell. Low testosterone has been an issue for me over many years now, and I started proper treatment earlier this year. Shedding a decent amount of fat while keeping muscle worked out well with that approach. It should also support adding muscle once the fat loss phase wraps up. My initial growth factor reading sits at a solid positive level, so the other compounds I have can stay unused until the timing looks more promising for real gains.

SharpThistle74archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @LevelThistle44

Yeah blood tests sound necessary to me and starting a fitness routine feels worthwhile too. I am positive those substances must not be used ahead of reviewing the findings.

LevelThistle44archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @SharpThistle74

Yeah, beginning weight training seems risk-free to me. The way my mind operates means I prefer not to dwell on possible genetic limitations interfering with my workouts. Plus, the hormone therapy has worked well for me so far, and those other compounds probably won't offer much benefit at my current stage.

SlowSignal40archiveMay 6

It seems like a bunch of folks around this forum get worried when their IGF-1 reads high. I wonder why that happens.

LevelThistle44archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @SlowSignal40

When those growth factor readings climb it usually means the body is churning out too much of the related hormone most often because of a tumor near the pituitary which then triggers acromegaly. Linked troubles run from odd enlargement in organs and bones especially around the fingers toes and facial area through crushing tiredness raised artery pressure sore joints breathing pauses at night sugar control issues and bigger odds for some cancers.

SharpThistle74archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @LevelThistle44

For roughly four years I had been weight training when I finally had bloodwork completed. My testosterone along with associated hormones checked out fine, sitting midway in normal ranges since I wasn't adding outside sources then. My IGF-1 level showed a minor negative deviation. When I tested out Tesa it severely affected my rest and heart rate variability leading me to quit within three weeks.

SharpThistle74archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @SlowSignal40

These amounts seem linked to shorter lives along with bigger tumor dangers and issues like acromegaly or others. I make sure not to exceed ordinary physical amounts.

SlowSignal40archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @SharpThistle74

Yeah, that matches what I figured. Blocking mTOR for extended lifespan, but large doses lead to oversized organs in a condition resembling giantism. Tumors follow the same pattern. When elevated IGF comes from increased growth hormone, the problems with glucose, fluid retention and so on get linked back to the hormone itself. People have reported localized shots of that DES variant producing striking changes. Adding follistatin turns the results into something extraordinary. With DES lasting only half an hour and PEG MGF performing even better, these stand out as more advantageous than standard growth hormone or its triggers.

LevelThistle44archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @SlowSignal40

I'm not familiar with this topic right now.

SlowSignal40archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @LevelThistle44

I'm wiped out from the flu yet still want to share what I know. IGF-1 acts as a hormone made of protein and is usually controlled by growth hormone. Typical readings shift with age brackets, sitting around 182 to 780 nanograms per milliliter for people 16 to 24, then 114 to 492 for ages 25 to 39, dropping further to 90 through 360 between 40 and 54, and finally 71 to 290 once someone hits 55 or older. Elevated readings often show up alongside cancer or acromegaly while reduced readings line up with heart problems plus higher death rates overall. Reduced readings also tie straight into the muscle wasting that comes with getting older. The main driver behind gains from testosterone or similar compounds is this same IGF process at work. When a tumor already exists inside the body, sustained IGF can speed up cell growth there. A shorter version that clears after roughly half an hour, placed into muscle right after training, raises protein creation locally without changing growth hormone or glucose numbers. The longer-acting form helps against age-related muscle drop, heart muscle harm, nerve trouble, and it reinforces joints plus tendons while supporting stem cell growth.

GreenMeadow54archiveMay 6

The main progress happens when you hoist those large iron disks again and again on a steady schedule. That covers nearly everything important. The lab-made compounds add almost nothing on top.

SlowSignal40archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @WryCinder96 (opening post)

I made sure to take creatine along with glutamine and thirty grams of collagen that also included hyaluronic acid plus vitamin C while putting effort into exercises aimed at building tendon strength during the opening six weeks since that delivered a huge lift to sustained progress and it mattered a lot.

WryCinder96archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @GreyAlder96

I'm thinking about steering clear of that option because of previous issues with my heart like it being enlarged and having elevated pressure which makes me nervous. Maybe letting my system boost it on its own through a minor injection could work out nicer though I'm not an expert haha. Gonna look into it further though thanks for mentioning it.

SlowSignal40archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @WryCinder96

I also prefer steering clear of GH entirely. Those drawbacks feel really off-putting. What drives me most is realizing that similar benefits come from alternatives, making it sensible to go that route and skip the downsides. My history includes elevated blood pressure and diabetes, so I'd rather not jeopardize my health again.

WryCinder96archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @LevelThistle44

Yeah that makes sense. Found this online spot needing a subscription and then the tests cost way less. Haven't gotten any blood tests in ten years now. Kinda nervous about doing it honestly haha

GreyAlder96archiveMay 6

Blood work options exist that are reasonably priced. For blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy, certain medications are commonly recommended in the anabolic community.

WryCinder96archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @SharpThistle74

Haha those early improvements sound good to me. Resting at night is hard so I expected this to aid it after checking online. Still when reaching my target weight I'll have minimal fat yet zero muscle meaning probably flat stomach area. At that point I'll need to begin workouts which I'm both excited and not about 😂

SharpThistle74archiveMay 6
↳ replying to @WryCinder96

People report mixed results with these compounds when it comes to rest at night since reactions differ a lot from one person to the next. In my case they disrupt rest so badly that I had to stop using them altogether. I always check my current levels first before attempting any boost to those particular hormones.

WarmAlder51archiveMay 7

For building size peptides never made much difference in my case. I focused on steady weight sessions using loads heavy enough to wear me out instead of just moving easy bars around without real effort. Getting roughly a gram of protein daily per pound of my own weight mattered just as much. Those two steps formed the foundation I refused to skip. After that testosterone and creatine entered the picture. Only when chasing pro level muscle or top athletic performance did stronger compounds like anabolics and growth hormone come up.

LevelThistle44archiveMay 7
↳ replying to @WarmAlder51

Honestly when trying to add muscle I stick to point seven through one gram for every pound of total weight or roughly one gram for each pound of fat free mass.

KeenCompass55archiveMay 7
↳ replying to @SharpThistle74

Yeah that matches what I've noticed too. Since starting my current protocol I've enjoyed really profound and restorative rest every single evening. Still when I check out the discussion here lots of others report experiencing the reverse effect.

WryCinder96archiveMay 9
↳ replying to @WarmAlder51

I really have zero interest in looking like a bodybuilder, more like just toned and slender with some definition haha. Thanks for getting back to me. Creatine seems pretty solid from what you're saying. This stuff makes it hard to hit protein goals with regular food so shakes are probably the way to go lol

BlueTimber78archiveMay 9

Man, this place sometimes feels like people always push the same fix no matter the issue. If you're not already hitting the weights consistently, forget about any performance enhancers or extra products. The only thing that matters is spending time with the barbell. Avoid falling for the idea that some compound is required just to make progress. That mindset just leads to buying more stuff unnecessarily. Social media algorithms probably encourage this focus on purchases. Instead, develop solid routines around lifting. Concentrate hard on the fundamentals of the main movements. Work on connecting your thoughts to how the muscles tighten and loosen during each movement. That's the real priority.

WryCinder96archiveMay 11
↳ replying to @SharpThistle74

Thanks for the reply! Coming from a beginner's perspective, I know your view is accurate. I thought maybe this lets me detect outcomes or feel them sooner.

KeenKettle50archiveMay 11

These compounds serve me well as extras when trying to drop deep belly fat and bump up growth hormone output, though they're not what I depend on for actual size increases. Taking a stack of them lately hasn't done much for my gains at all. Switching focus to other supplements has given me more noticeable improvements in both strength and muscle development.

SlowSignal40archiveMay 12
↳ replying to @KeenKettle50

Looks like my worries ended up being valid after all. That forces me to revise my outlines and records. Which ones seem stronger in your view?

BlueTimber78archiveMay 12
↳ replying to @WryCinder96

That way of thinking no longer fits someone your age my friend. I've come to appreciate the training journey itself. Mastering the basic movements has paid off big time for me. I put the funds I would have spent on those substances into quality equipment like a solid pressing bench and some variable weight hand weights initially. After that if room allows adding a stand and solid steel rod. Regarding routines when starting out any plan works fine in my experience. There are lots of no cost options available online. My own solid improvements came from following one specific five day schedule over a year and a half period.

PatientTimber49archiveMay 12
↳ replying to @WryCinder96 (opening post)

I began taking five milligrams of creatine each day and it felt like a solid way to begin.

WryCinder96archiveMay 12
↳ replying to @BlueTimber78

Dude your detailed answer really means a lot to me.

WryCinder96archiveMay 12
↳ replying to @KeenKettle50

Most of the deep belly fat has disappeared by now, leaving mainly the layer right under the skin, and I had been thinking about trying those compounds together with a consistent exercise plan.

LevelCinder96archiveMay 15

I started out by having some tests run to check that my levels looked balanced and my body was up to it. After that I didn't give those compounds much thought since I was just returning to weights and training. What really mattered for my own results was keeping a steady schedule, staying consistent, and focusing on solid meals. Those extras only gave a small extra edge once the basics were already in place.

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