u/spreadjoy1982

40 obese and feeling like shit. I had a little muscle from years of lifting but was unhappy with how I looked so I clamped down and changed my life.

This is me at 44 now.

I went from 230 lbs with low testosterone to 176 lbs at 44. My doctor prescribed 160mg TRT, and today I have abs, better blood pressure, better labs, and feel better than ever. Life is good. Ask away.

I was invited to this channel by a mod, and here to share my experiences and help if I can.

No crazy challenge, no starvation, and no "secret."

Most of the weight came off slowly over 3 years, but the biggest change happened recently when I committed to a consistent 2,100-calorie diet and stopped making excuses.

I still go out, still enjoy life, and still have the occasional cheat meal. The difference was sticking to the plan day after day instead of looking for shortcuts.

At 44, I honestly thought my best shape was behind me. Glad I was wrong.

Still a work in progress, but this is the leanest I've been in years.

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[44]

I spent months consistently eating around 2,100 calories, increasing protein, training regularly, and sticking to the plan when I didn't feel like it.

For transparency: TRT and Retatrutide were part of the journey.

Neither made me lose 40+ lbs automatically. The biggest difference was finally being consistent with my nutrition and activity level for an extended period of time.

Happy to answer genuine questions.

The people looking to learn are welcome. The people looking to argue can find someone else to entertain them.

5'10".

Entering my mid-40s in better shape than I was in my 30s.

Went from over 220 lbs to 179 lbs by taking my health more seriously and putting more effort into taking care of myself.

Better nutrition, better habits, more activity, and a lot more consistency.

Looking back at old photos, it's hard to believe how much things can change when you start investing in yourself.

Yes, I'm on TRT.

Yes, I've used Reta.

Yes, I still eat ice cream.

Yes, I still go out with friends.

No, I didn't survive on chicken, broccoli, and sadness.

The biggest change wasn't a peptide. It was hitting roughly 2100 calories every day for months instead of eating like an asshole Monday to Friday and pretending weekends didn't count.

TRT didn't make me lean.

Reta didn't give me abs.

Consistency did.

If it helps the trolls sleep at night, feel free to blame the Halo Top. 🍦😂

Any questions, I'm happy to share what worked for me and what didn't.

For the trolls, don't be shy. Leave a comment.

I won't be replying, but I'll definitely be reading them while eating my 12 oz new York strip and caramel brownie halotop pint.

44 years old. Down about 40 lbs.

Started around 220 and currently sitting around 180.

A lot of people are probably going to ask about TRT, so I'll address it right away. Yes, I'm on TRT. It helped with recovery, energy, maintaining muscle, and overall quality of life. But it didn't create a calorie deficit for me.

In fact, I was on TRT for roughly 2 years in the photos above while still carrying a lot more body fat than I wanted. I was training 4 days a week, eating reasonably well, and still wasn't getting the results I was after.

The fat loss happened when I consistently ate around 2100 calories a day for roughly 4 months and stayed accountable.

The biggest thing was finding a diet I could actually stick to. Steak, eggs, potatoes, Greek yogurt, fruit, protein shakes, Halo Top and a few other foods I genuinely enjoy. Nothing fancy and nothing that made me miserable.

I still went out with friends. I still had a cheat meal every week. I just stopped letting one meal turn into an entire weekend of bad decisions.

As for cardio, I didn't spend hours on a treadmill.

I aimed for around 10,000 steps a day and made it easy. I'd park farther away, take the longer route, golf, walk when I could and stay active throughout the day.

I lifted 4-5 days a week and trusted the process.

This was my experience. I'm not saying TRT doesn't help. I'm saying it didn't lose 40 lbs for me. Consistently staying in a calorie deficit did.

If anyone has questions, I'm happy to share exactly what worked for me. That's the reason I posted this.

Been spinning my tires for years trying all types of different diets and never sticking to them. Yo yoing up in down, until I started fasted and only eating 2 meals and 2 snacks. Tracking my calories better and eating a sustainable diet with foods I enjoyed.

8k to 10k steps a day.

Should i keep cutting?