Users report that some muscle loss occurs during weight reduction but can be minimized through resistance training, adequate protein intake around goal body weight, and sometimes TRT. Progressive lifting is viewed as essential while protein targets of roughly one gram per pound of goal weight are commonly followed. Slow cuts help but are harder on these medications until maintenance dosing is reached.
What this discussion establishesWhether muscle loss on these drugs is a major or minor concern, and how critical TRT is versus training and protein alone
Still openExact protein timing or meal frequency needed for best results
Nothing here is advice.
Has anyone here noticed losing muscle while on Reta? Does just lifting weights stop that? What daily protein target do you aim for, or is this not really a problem?
When cutting weight the usual target is one gram of protein for each pound of your goal weight. Since mine is 180 I stay near that amount daily while keeping the deficit.
Look at the thread on muscle loss with GLP-1s. After big weight drops people often see how much muscle went with it, and some in healthcare link rapid loss to possible earlier death.
Any weight loss will take some muscle with it and there's no avoiding that entirely. Even top bodybuilders drop muscle on cuts despite high gear and protein. To keep most of it you need a very slow cut, which GLPs make tougher until you reach maintenance dosing.
Weight loss on GLP-1 meds does not cause extra muscle or function loss beyond normal expectations. Four animal studies plus a small human trial back this up.
Progressive lifting by itself works to keep muscle. You don't need steroids for that, but you do have to actually train consistently.
Do you spread the protein across a set number of meals or just fit it into what you already eat?
Sorry if this is obvious, but what does gear mean?
Nobody should treat this as a non-issue since it matters. Search brings up plenty on it. I began with no exercise, added light cardio once my knees allowed, then moved to the gym and focused on building muscle while still dropping fat. Getting started was the toughest part, but once moving it became manageable. Protein and calories remain the harder daily challenge.
You will lose muscle if you drop weight without lifting and hitting protein goals. This is not minor. I managed to add some muscle on Reta in my 50s through strict workouts and protein focus. Lifting matters more than the protein. Hit every body part, especially legs. A trainer helps. I'm on high-normal TRT but believe you can keep muscle without it.
I use intermittent fasting so I skip eating until lunch and then have dinner.
Twenty to thirty grams per meal works best. If your BMI is very high or you train with weights for hours you can handle more at once. Anything not used gets turned into fat or carbs in the liver, which you don't want in a deficit.
I dropped 70 pounds in roughly eight months while keeping most muscle despite a big deficit. Prioritizing protein and lifting helped, along with TRT or having solid natural testosterone levels.
Everyone is right that you must lift, eat plenty of protein, and stay in a deficit. As weight came off I could train harder and see muscle definition better, which kept me motivated. It is doable.
Tesa plus Ipa has aided my recovery during deficits and I notice a slight workout improvement.
Thanks to everyone for the replies. They gave useful direction and I'll look into it more. To those pointing out the search option, fair enough and appreciated.
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