Reta Momentum: What I Did & How I See It

[birdwhacker]

Below is copied word for word from my response to a newcomer. Are there any flaws in my logic? Newcomer was obviously coming from Semaglutide. I understand that those partial to the dosing schedules proposed and executed by Eli Lilly may not be big on this, but I feel like it's working VERY well for me so far... And I understand (more than anyone as a former addict) that there is no such thing as a free ride.
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I've just started week 3 of reta. I am about to weigh in to see how much weight I lost in week 2.

Semaglutide is a strong appetite suppressant and so is tirzepetide. Prior GLP users (you) likely need a higher dose of reta in order to achieve suppression of appetite and gain momentum.

As I understand it: You (and me) have a limited amount of time in which to achieve our goals. As time goes on, the effects of retatrutide will become less pronounced and eventually plateaue – or we will encounter intolerable side effects when moving into 6+mg territory.

The research shows: Aggressive dosing of retatrutide (Higher initial starting dose of 4mg) + (Higher monthly upwards titration +2mg per month) PROVED CONCLUSIVELY to be more effective at losing weight... IF side effects are tolerable. Studied therapeutic maintainence doses were 8mg, 12mg, and lower depending on side effects.

However: We are not cavemen. We are not bound by the methods that Eli Lilly decided to try or not try. This drug has a half-life of six days, 50% remains in the blood stream six days after dose. I find that appetite suppressant begins to wear off 2-4 days after last dose. I have had great success dosing multiple times a week.

Who I am: 235lb 6' tall white American male with a mostly good metabolism, severe discipline and overeating issues, severe mental health issues.

What I did
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Week 1:

Dosed 0.5mg on Monday
Noticed very mild appetite suppression, slightly enhanced sense of smell, very minor muscle twitching, minor skin sensitivity, sleep disruptions

Dosed 0.5mg on Wednesday
Appetite suppression became more effective, very minor skin sensitivity, sleep disruptions

Dosed 0.5mg on Friday
Basically no side effects, trouble controlling appetite

Dosed 0.5mg on Sunday
Appetite suppression achieved, side effects mostly non-existent.

THE EFFECT: I basically started at 2mg while avoiding all of the side effects that come with injecting 2mg at once as a first timer. If anything I wish I had gone faster.

Lost 4.5lbs in 7 days. Daily running, 100g of protein per day.
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Week 2:

Dosed 1mg on Wednesday
Feeling really good at this point, appetite is basically non-existent. Workouts are better. Fruit and protein during day, protein and veggies at night. 500-1000 calorie deficit (goal of 1500 to 2000 calories per day).

Dosed 1mg on Sunday
Reason behind the late dose, appetite suppression was working really well through saturday though I did snack more on Saturday. In hindsight I wish I would have dosed a day earlier.

THE EFFECT: By dosing bi-weekly, I can increase my weekly dosage by two milligrams by increasing my shots by 1mg, and my blood levels stay smooth. I plan to stay at 1mg per 3 days until it stops feeling as effective. I'm going to dial in my diet to contain a lot more protein and fibre with less carbs and fat. 3-4 meals a day 30g of protein per meal.


TODAY: It is Monday morning. I will be weighing myself tonight and I suspect I will have lost 5+lbs. I look great and feel really good about myself.

My advice for you: Go up slowly, quickly, until you feel good. If you had 1mg yesterday, and you get the munchies late tonight, inject 0.5mg instead of snacking. If you still feel hungry, do another 0.5 or 1. Maintain an effective dose. Track your calories and your protein. Eat first thing in the morning. Exercise.

Consider adding a small amount of tirzepetide if you feel you cannot manage appetite.

 

[ronin365]

My approach was to titrate aggressively till I found the ceiling where I felt side-effects. So I went from 2mg first week and got to 4 mg in a month and held that dose until I thought the effects were fading. Once you find your inital sweet spot, you really want to delay titrating up as long as you can.

I inject once a week. It's okay for me to get a little hungry before my next dose, because I think a little refeeding is needed to keep the thyroid from tanking.

As for stacking Tirz with Reta, I have never understood this strategy, since Reta's design pushes glucose up, while Tirz wants to push it down. Reta's effectiveness is blunted when you lower glucose.

 

[birdwhacker]

My approach was to titrate aggressively till I found the ceiling where I felt side-effects.

Great info ronin. Your thoughts on titration mirror my own. I suspect I will hit side effects sooner rather than later with titration so I intend to get the most out of it.

Diet and exercise are almost dialed in. Next I need to tackle sleep.

So no on the tirz huh? What about reta and sema?

 

[deleted.user.16]

Thanks for sharing your regiment. Do you feel the appetite suppression very soon after pinning? I seem to feel nothing the day of and get the most suppression the day after pinning. Would be a lot more convenient if I could pin and immediately not feel hungry lol.

I've only been at this a month but I think I'm also going to take the approach of pinning when I get hungry (instead of a set amount every week). My reta weight loss has been super weird. First week took 2.5mg, lost 10 lbs. Second week, same dose and plateau. Third week I took 4mg and I was uncontrollably ravenous and gained weight. For the past two weeks I've been off all meds completely (in anticipation of my filler appointment) and I feel no hunger at all and also lost 3 lbs. Just ate a handful of nuts today and barely want to eat. Does anyone else just pin when you're hungry? I'd be curious if anyone has has success using this method long-term. Or is there some reason this would be a bad idea?

 

[ronin365]

Great info ronin. Your thoughts on titration mirror my own. I suspect I will hit side effects sooner rather than later with titration so I intend to get the most out of it.

Diet and exercise are almost dialed in. Next I need to tackle sleep.

So no on the tirz huh? What about reta and sema?

I don't want to come off as the expert, but you run into a similar issue with Sema with regards to glucose. That said, I am of the mind you don't want to suppress your appetite too heavily on Reta because it's driving higher energy expenditure.

I was originally concerned that the appetite suppression was not very strong for me after the initial effects, but I have come to see that as a feature, not a bug. Reta's effects are known to be enhanced by adding a moderate amount of carbs. Something I would never have done before because I was Keto/Carnivore prior to changing my health regimen last year.

I am eating a little more now than I was when I originally started and I am still losing roughly a pound a week. I am down 47 pounds from late October last year.

 

[ronin365]

The big thing I keep coming back to, regardless of the GLP-1 in question, is eating enough calories, prioritizing protein, and strength training. Go too deep into caloric deficit and with no strength training, your body will consume muscle and bones, and your thyroid goes into the toilet. That's where all this GLP-1s shreds your bones nonsense is coming from. People aren't changing their lifestyles, but losing massive amounts of weight. Then they wonder why they have little muscle, osteoporosis, and a low thyroid.

 

[birdwhacker]

Thanks for sharing your regiment. Do you feel the appetite suppression very soon after pinning?

I've only been at this a month but I think I'm also going to take the approach of pinning when I get hungry (instead of a set amount every week).

Yes and no. I sometimes feel slight modulation after pinning, but I usually pair the late night pin with a low calorie cheese stick! I agree next day is where it shines, which is why I find that late night pins work best. I like to wake up in control.

As to your issues with dosing and hunger, I wouldn't simplify it so much as to say just dose when you're hungry... That being said, reta's appetite suppression only lasts about 3-5 days for me. I can't imagine pinning every 6 or 7 days – is that what you're doing?

I think your hungry spell might have been linked to something you weren't getting enough of. I'm having to be really strict with the macros as well as making sure I'm getting enough healthy carbs to support my activity, all without causing undue glucose spikes (i modulate the carbs with psilium husk).

Like I said I'm early on so I can't tell you for sure, but I think you should be pinning a split dose every 3 days rather than a single dose every six or seven days. stay at what's effective for as long as you can obviously. I'm hoping to get a lot out of 1 mg every 3 days.

Reta's effects are known to be enhanced by adding a moderate amount of carbs.

I am eating a little more now than I was when I originally started and I am still losing roughly a pound a week. I am down 47 pounds from late October last year.

Thank you for the good information. I'm going to be careful with carbs, and I'll try not to go too crazy when I get hungry. I'm terrified of losing appetite suppression because I'm a massive eater.

I have no trouble consuming 1600 calories in a sitting. When I was starting out on reta, I didn't know that you can only absorb 30 to 50 g of protein at a time, so I would have three or four apples and bananas throughout the day and then I would have like 1 lb of beef and five eggs for dinner.

The big thing I keep coming back to, regardless of the GLP-1 in question, is eating enough calories, prioritizing protein, and strength training. Go too deep into caloric deficit and with no strength training, your body will consume muscle and bones, and your thyroid goes into the toilet. That's where all this GLP-1s shreds your bones nonsense is coming from. People aren't changing their lifestyles, but losing massive amounts of weight. Then they wonder why they have little muscle, osteoporosis, and a low thyroid.

Yes. also supplementing. I religiously supplement a whole host of B vitamins and minerals And I also have 12 years of trial and error under my belt. I can't imagine injecting this stuff when your only supplementation consists of a multivitamin from the grocery store.

I've got whey protein isolate on the way and I'm very close to dialing in the diet. Just need to do sleep.

I wish I was a more fit individual, I have no trouble running but I have no idea what to do outside of a gym. I can do push-ups but I fucking hate them and squats seem really stupid when you're running a few miles everyday. I can't get a gym membership right now.

 

[ronin365]

Yes and no. I sometimes feel slight modulation after pinning, but I usually pair the late night pin with a low calorie cheese stick! I agree next day is where it shines, which is why I find that late night pins work best. I like to wake up in control.

As to your issues with dosing and hunger, I wouldn't simplify it so much as to say just dose when you're hungry... That being said, reta's appetite suppression only lasts about 3-5 days for me. I can't imagine pinning every 6 or 7 days – is that what you're doing?

I think your hungry spell might have been linked to something you weren't getting enough of. I'm having to be really strict with the macros as well as making sure I'm getting enough healthy carbs to support my activity, all without causing undue glucose spikes (i modulate the carbs with psilium husk).

Like I said I'm early on so I can't tell you for sure, but I think you should be pinning a split dose every 3 days rather than a single dose every six or seven days. stay at what's effective for as long as you can obviously. I'm hoping to get a lot out of 1 mg every 3 days.



Thank you for the good information. I'm going to be careful with carbs, and I'll try not to go too crazy when I get hungry. I'm terrified of losing appetite suppression because I'm a massive eater.

I have no trouble consuming 1600 calories in a sitting. When I was starting out on reta, I didn't know that you can only absorb 30 to 50 g of protein at a time, so I would have three or four apples and bananas throughout the day and then I would have like 1 lb of beef and five chicken embryos for dinner.



Yes. also supplementing. I religiously supplement a whole host of B vitamins and minerals And I also have 12 years of trial and error under my belt. I can't imagine injecting this stuff when your only supplementation consists of a multivitamin from the grocery store.

I've got whey protein isolate on the way and I'm very close to dialing in the diet. Just need to do sleep.

I wish I was a more fit individual, I have no trouble running but I have no idea what to do outside of a gym. I can do push-ups but I fucking hate them and squats seem really stupid when you're running a few miles everyday. I can't get a gym membership right now.

I can empathize with going to the gym. That was hard for me, more because of low energy levels and when I first started, I was crazy out of shape. But cardio for over half an hour becomes catabolic and does not stimulate muscle growth the way strength training does. My regimen is 3-4 times in the gym, lifting heavy. I limit cardio to 30 minutes after and try to stay in the range of 125-135 bpm.

As difficult as going to the gym might be for you, there is nothing like getting to a place where you feel strong-- you feel strength in your core and limbs. I have never felt that way with just walking or running or even yoga for that matter. Compound exercises with supporting exercises is what has made the most difference for me in recomposition and overall strength.

 

[birdwhacker]

I can empathize with going to the gym. That was hard for me, more because of low energy levels and when I first started, I was crazy out of shape.

Sorry, I absolutely love going to the gym. I just don't have the means to make it happen right now. I've put myself in an unfortunate situation and reta, plus a safe place and amazing access to quality nutrition, are literally the only things that I have in life.

Perhaps reta will have the effect of helping me to make better choices in the future.

I understand that I need to train strength, but I just feel so weird exercising without weights or machines or being in a gym. I abhor pushups.

 

[ronin365]

Sorry, I absolutely love going to the gym. I just don't have the means to make it happen right now. I've put myself in an unfortunate situation and reta, plus a safe place and amazing access to quality nutrition, are literally the only things that I have in life.

Perhaps reta will have the effect of helping me to make better choices in the future.

I understand that I need to train strength, but I just feel so weird exercising without weights or machines or being in a gym. I abhor pushups.

Ah-- I misunderstood. Got it.

 

[Chonktodonk24]

Appreciate the write up. You said your workouts improved- is that due to a general increase in energy and/or focus? My workout energy and motivation has tanked in the past six months, hoping to get some momentum back when I start up on r.

 

[birdwhacker]

Appreciate the write up. You said your workouts improved- is that due to a general increase in energy and/or focus? My workout energy and motivation has tanked in the past six months, hoping to get some momentum back when I start up on r.

Hey! It's hard to say 100%. I don't have a lot going on besides this right, so the increase in self-esteem and excitement at finally being able to control my diet and fitness definitely plays a role.

But as a long term polysubstance addict, I can tell you that reta does have a pronounced focusing effect when you're in the right dosing envelope. For me that's when appetite is about 75% suppressed – and mind you I need some carbs too! 0 carb on reta is tiresome.

I also drink at least a gram of potassium a day, magnesium, balance zinc and copper, balance calcium boron and vitamin D, plus fish oil and TMG.

Good luck out there man! I hope you get some fire in you.

 

[rettta]

Sorry, I absolutely love going to the gym. I just don't have the means to make it happen right now. I've put myself in an unfortunate situation and reta, plus a safe place and amazing access to quality nutrition, are literally the only things that I have in life.

Perhaps reta will have the effect of helping me to make better choices in the future.

I understand that I need to train strength, but I just feel so weird exercising without weights or machines or being in a gym. I abhor pushups.

Are dips and pull ups / chin ups enjoyable or do they fall into the push up category.?

 

[Chonktodonk24]

Hey! It's hard to say 100%. I don't have a lot going on besides this right, so the increase in self-esteem and excitement at finally being able to control my diet and fitness definitely plays a role.

But as a long term polysubstance addict, I can tell you that reta does have a pronounced focusing effect when you're in the right dosing envelope. For me that's when appetite is about 75% suppressed – and mind you I need some carbs too! 0 carb on reta is tiresome.

I also drink at least a gram of potassium a day, magnesium, balance zinc and copper, balance calcium boron and vitamin D, plus fish oil and TMG.

Good luck out there man! I hope you get some fire in you.

Thanks man, wish you the best!

 

[birdwhacker]

Are dips and pull ups / chin ups enjoyable or do they fall into the push up category.?

You know... They actually sound pretty fun, but I've never successfully done a pull up/chin up! Maybe a few pounds later my options will open up haha.

I still remember when my dad tried to put me in a gymnastics class at 10 or 12 years old... The coach had me hold onto two rings and try to pick myself up and spin or something. Ugh. I musta been 200 pounds! He said that coach was an asshole LOL

 

[rettta]

The rings are harder than regular dips. In december I was about 200 lbs, I could only do about 2 chin ups, 7 or so dips. As i have dropped weight and gained strength I have gone to 8 chin ups 8 sets 64 total today and 100 dips over different sets today. Im about 170 now, it happens quick, I wish i did strength training my first 2 years, it feels like a cheat code. Your glp1's and muscles are going to smooth out your insulin resistance. Its hard to strength train sometimes but its harder to loose fat without it, choose your hard.

 

[birdwhacker]

The rings are harder than regular dips. In december I was about 200 lbs, I could only do about 2 chin ups, 7 or so dips. As i have dropped weight and gained strength I have gone to 8 chin ups 8 sets 64 total today and 100 dips over different sets today. Im about 170 now, it happens quick, I wish i did strength training my first 2 years, it feels like a cheat code. Your glp1's and muscles are going to smooth out your insulin resistance. Its hard to strength train sometimes but its harder to loose fat without it, choose your hard.

That's so awesome, thanks for sharing. I can't wait to see what the future holds. We're trying to pick up some RT, TR, BPC kits right now... Hopefully gonna be able to future proof!

 

[WeezinDaJuice]

As for stacking Tirz with Reta, I have never understood this strategy, since Reta's design pushes glucose up, while Tirz wants to push it down. Reta's effectiveness is blunted when you lower glucose.

My own 3-month experience with Reta (now at 5mg/weekly), and everything I've read, is Reta helps lower blood glucose and A1c. Your experience different?

 

[ronin365]

My own 3-month experience with Reta (now at 5mg/weekly), and everything I've read, is Reta helps lower blood glucose and A1c. Your experience different?

I may not have explained this well. But what I was referring to was glucagon agonism, which increases glucose levels in the bloodstream because its job is to mobilize energy. Early on, you might see a slight uptick in blood sugar, but as Reta improves your insulin sensitivity, your A1C improves, and insulin response after meals becomes more of a flat curve. This is happening in part because when glucagon kicks into gear, it's raising blood glucose and oxidizing fat. A side effect of losing fat is improved insulin sensitivity.

Does that make better sense? The GLP-1 and GIP agonism are doing several things that outweigh the effect the glucagon agonism has.

 

[ronin365]

What I mentioned above about the fat oxidation is why with Reta the appetite suppression is less of a concern. Its still there but not strong like you feel it on the other GLP-1s.