CNCCurrency
GLP-1 Specialist
Since you asked, then yes
Stubborn Belly Fat
- Thread starter BNLFL
- Start date
desinr-gal
GLP-1 Specialist
Your extra flesh on belly and hips is very likely extra skin too. The weight lifting should help.
At least I hope so, I am doing the same 😉
Troposphere
GLP-1 Apprentice
Since you asked, then yes
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sheilarae74
GLP-1 Enthusiast
I am in the exact same situation. I am 3lbs from my goal and I'm not even close to looking like I did the last time I weighed this much.
5byfive
GLP-1 Enthusiast
Most guys that have extra fat in the gut area are carrying visceral fat. As sub-q fat tends to fall off pretty evenly, when you see a guy that seems to be carrying all their weight in the stomach area, that is usually what you are seeing. Without more information or pictures we can't really know for sure, that was just my assumption.
FartfulCodger
GLP-1 Enthusiast
Facing the same problem. Targeting visceral fat will accomplish very little, especially when it comes to love handles. Your love handles are not being pushed outward by the fat under your ribs.
I've concluded that the best way to lose this subcutaneous belly fat and love handle fat is to just become really lean and build muscle so I don't end up looking scrawny. Being very lean has other health benefits. But there's a lot of work ahead in this approach.
I confess also that I find myself intrigued by products like Lemon Bottle and deoxycholic acid. I was initially creeped out by the notion of chemically killing fat cells, but I'm starting to rationalize it more and more and thinking it may be an option at some point.
Then there's this other thing called cryolipolisis, or "Cool Sculpting" which I find fascinating. Kills fat cells by freezing them at 40 degrees F while keeping water-based cells unharmed (since they freeze at 32F).
Not sure if there are options beyond this.
I've concluded that the best way to lose this subcutaneous belly fat and love handle fat is to just become really lean and build muscle so I don't end up looking scrawny. Being very lean has other health benefits. But there's a lot of work ahead in this approach.
I confess also that I find myself intrigued by products like Lemon Bottle and deoxycholic acid. I was initially creeped out by the notion of chemically killing fat cells, but I'm starting to rationalize it more and more and thinking it may be an option at some point.
Then there's this other thing called cryolipolisis, or "Cool Sculpting" which I find fascinating. Kills fat cells by freezing them at 40 degrees F while keeping water-based cells unharmed (since they freeze at 32F).
Not sure if there are options beyond this.
BNLFL
GLP-1 Specialist
Couple things, I'm older. Probably older than a bunch of you. Been retired for a couple of years and just don't do everything I used to, but I'm not a sit and watch TV all day guy. I cut my 3 lots myself, do all the trimming, yard work and everything else around here. I don't paint, I flipping hate painting. lol. Putting new luxury vinyl floors in the 3 spare bedrooms I do need to get back into some light weight stuff, sit ups and walking. I'll start doing what I can. That BMI came from my Renpho scale. The BMI is actually 22.6 and BF is 24%. I just looked vs my memory. Both have gone down slightly weekly when I weigh on Fridays. I appreciate all the input from everyone so far. Very helpful.
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The stubborn belly fat, usually the lower belly and love handles, typically starts going away faster around 12% body fat. At around 10%, it’s usually way thinner. But all these percentages are just a very general estimate, since some people can have a lean six-pack at 16% body fat because of their genetics. They might store more fat in their back and glutes instead.
There aren’t really any tricks to lose fat specifically in that area. U just have to keep going with the deficit, and eventually it will come off with time, even if it’s stubborn.
People suggesting Tesa might have a point, since GHRH can have lipolytic effects, but it’s mostly known for reducing visceral fat, which is usually the fat that melts away earlier during a diet. Stubborn fat is usually subcutaneous.
ZetsuM
GLP-1 Novice
🚫No Source Discussion🚫
Looking at it from another point of view, I'd take a closer look at your diet. Eat at least your weight in protein (grams). Try to fit in a few weightlifting workouts each week to build muscle mass. More muscle can increase your overall calorie expenditure, and combined with reta, it may help with fat loss. Sit ups don't target belly fat, whatever some youtube videos may say. Belly fat is the most stubborn fat there is and will be the last bit of fat to leave your body.
It could also be hormonal. In men, excess fat around the abdomen and chest can sometimes be associated with hormonal imbalances, although there can be many other causes as well. If that's a concern, it may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional. Maybe do some bloodwork see what the testosteron and estrogen levels say? 🙂
Throttle883
GLP-1 Apprentice
What’s been your experience with the switch. I’m about to make that change as well.
Blueeyedme
GLP-1 Apprentice
So this was all on Reta? What did your titration look like from startup until now?
One should obviously find out how much visceral fat they have before they start a tesa protocol but the general conclusions in this thread seems to be that if you do have subq fat on you're belly there is no use in tesa because that fat wont disappear? I mean one could obviously have visceral fat AND subq fat in their belly and a tesa protocol can remove some visceral fat and the belly will shrink even if there are subq fat that doesnt get removed 🤔
FartfulCodger
GLP-1 Enthusiast
This is true. The visceral fat will push your belly outward. But many of us are a healthy weight now. Our "smart scales" (if they're to be believed) and bloodwork are telling us visceral fat is low. But we're able to pinch several inches of belly fat. So it's apparent to us that we've still got a fair amount of subcutaneous fat in the belly.
Calm Logic
GLP-1 Specialist
It's not like HGH will shed subq fat in no time. HGH is often considered slow and overrated, as discussed at Meso.
A case for tesa or other GH secretagogues: Anything that raises IGF-1 can help prevent muscle loss. Same with boosting testosterone, such as using HCG monotherapy in men.
But you can raise IGF-1 naturally (temporarily, to some degree) with sleeping more/better, drinking more milk, sprinting, lifting, etc. Oral boron supplements can help raise free testosterone.
A case for tesa or other GH secretagogues: Anything that raises IGF-1 can help prevent muscle loss. Same with boosting testosterone, such as using HCG monotherapy in men.
But you can raise IGF-1 naturally (temporarily, to some degree) with sleeping more/better, drinking more milk, sprinting, lifting, etc. Oral boron supplements can help raise free testosterone.
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Cannonball72
GLP-1 Apprentice
I will reiterate what has been shared above, the belly fat and visceral fat are very different.
BF of 22% is still very high IMP suggesting more fat to lose. It gets very difficult to do this without a proper weight training program.
Weight training, not cardio. As already mentioned, the added muscle mass = higher metabolic expenditure all day every day, whereas cardio will help with calorie burning during, and for a short window afterward.
BF at about 15% or less for a man is a great place to be, 12% even better.
This ratio is feasible by flipping the script and adding muscle weight to the frame. Add muscle weight % and the body fat % will go down.
BF of 22% is still very high IMP suggesting more fat to lose. It gets very difficult to do this without a proper weight training program.
Weight training, not cardio. As already mentioned, the added muscle mass = higher metabolic expenditure all day every day, whereas cardio will help with calorie burning during, and for a short window afterward.
BF at about 15% or less for a man is a great place to be, 12% even better.
This ratio is feasible by flipping the script and adding muscle weight to the frame. Add muscle weight % and the body fat % will go down.
BNLFL
GLP-1 Specialist
I'm skipping the Tesa.
I eat a ton of protein. Dinner is either steak, pork chops or steaks, chicken and fish along with a fresh steamed veggie or salad. I do get carbs.
All Reta. From 1/9/26.
4 weeks/2mg-5 weeks/4mg-1 week/5mg-6 weeks/6mg-2weeks/7mg-5 weeks/8mg.
Nothing happened at 5 and 7mg that's the reason short term. Starting 9mg later this week. My wife is on the same as me.
ZetsuM
GLP-1 Novice
🚫No Source Discussion🚫
Do you track your macro's? You can easily do so with MFP (and many other apps probably).
If you are eating clean on top of the Reta i would just wait it out, you'll get there eventually. But that's my personal opinion, your BMI is perfect at this point tho, congratz on losing all that 😀
A moderate calorie deficit (no more than 500 calories per day) is necessary because if we increase the deficit, we increase cortisol, which will protect that last stubborn fat. Time is also a factor because that last subcutaneous fat takes a long time to disappear, and the amount of fat is greater than we think we have.
My protocol involves injecting 3 IU of HGH in the mornings, two hours before weight training, followed by 40-60 minutes of light cardio at around 120-130 rpm in a fasted state. I also take 4 mg of Retatrutide weekly and testosterone TRT, which protects my muscle mass along with the HGH.
This is destroying my last subcutaneous fat; I'm at 12% body fat and decreasing.
My protocol involves injecting 3 IU of HGH in the mornings, two hours before weight training, followed by 40-60 minutes of light cardio at around 120-130 rpm in a fasted state. I also take 4 mg of Retatrutide weekly and testosterone TRT, which protects my muscle mass along with the HGH.
This is destroying my last subcutaneous fat; I'm at 12% body fat and decreasing.
