Cardio exercise and Reta

[Red40]

Reta has definitely affected my workouts. When I was on just tirz, I could reasonably get the energy on any given day to hit the gym and meet my lifting targets. Once I added reta back in Jan, I've noticed that I struggle on a number of lifts that would normally be fine. I'm trying to be mindful to carb up beforehand, but that doesn't seem to help much. I think it's interesting how we all react so individually to these peps. I'll be done with my reta + tirz experiment at the end of the month, and I'm curious to see if my lifts are back to normal once the reta fades.

*I know this thread was about cardio, but to me weight lifting is my main cardio!

Are you using Reta + Tirz at the same time? I have been thinking about starting to do that.

 

[Kelloggs1307]

I feel like my HR is higher than usual. My strength is about the same but I feel like I feel weaker in terms of stamina. Idk if it is because of a harsh lack of calories

 

[ThatNextGril]

Are you using Reta + Tirz at the same time? I have been thinking about starting to do that.

Yep! I've been stalled on tirz for a number of months, so I decided in Jan to try adding some reta to see if the glucagon element helps push past that. I've been keeping at a reduced tirz dose (8mg) and am up to 5mg of reta now. I do think the reta is working for some reduction in certain areas (stomach and arms) but the sleep disruption and previously noted energy drag does suck. I only planned to do the combo for about 2-3 months, and I'm coming up on the 2 month mark next week. I'll decide then if I want to go another month, or if I want to just drop to just tirz so I can get my sleep and energy back.

 

[SVT810E]

Cyclist/Triathlete here - I find it depends on the intensity.. if I'm out for a true zone 2 effort, not that big a difference -except it's a bit hard to stay in the lower end due to the baseline elevation.

The thing is that it’s not a true zone 2 effort anymore. Heart rate is used as a proxy for underlying metabolic demand but it you’re screwing with heart rate it shifts the whole curve. You’ve gotta recalibrate your zones to accurately reflect the underlying metabolic demand, otherwise you might just be futzing around in zone 1.

 

[Boggit]

I didn't really notice much of a difference for me.

Mind you, I do 6 week cycles of Cardarine (GW-501516). I 100%, without any question of doubt, notice an improvement in my cardio. 3 days of taking this and you'll see an improvement. Because of the previous study's, im conscience not to take too much of this stuff and keep it to 10mg/day, and make sure not to take longer than 6 weeks.

 

[WYSiWYG]

The thing is that it’s not a true zone 2 effort anymore. Heart rate is used as a proxy for underlying metabolic demand but it you’re screwing with heart rate it shifts the whole curve. You’ve gotta recalibrate your zones to accurately reflect the underlying metabolic demand, otherwise you might just be futzing around in zone 1.

Yes, I understand that - but the context of 'true zone 2' is more related to when your buddies say - Hey - let's go for a Z2 ride which is actually Z4-5 lol

 

[nitrohyper]

I feel like cardio has been pretty much the same, my apple watch has not detected a higher than average resting heart rate for me. I do however feel like I have a bit more stamina than usual but i think its because ive been working on proper running form and i have beginner running shoes now (Brooks Ghost Max 3, i love them!!!)

 

[anhydrous]

I'm struggling in the gym a little. I get random waves of nausea and the same weight seems harder, could just be the cal deficit and weight loss? Started Reta about 4.5 mos ago & I'm on 3.5mg.

My experience pretty much mirrors yours. My motivation to show up is higher than ever but my performance under caloric deficit/random bouts of nausea is subpar. I do well to hit 2-3 different lifts and then I go walk uphill on the treadmill for 30-40 mins or until I'm too nauseous to continue.

 

[Minkster]

My experience pretty much mirrors yours. My motivation to show up is higher than ever but my performance under caloric deficit/random bouts of nausea is subpar. I do well to hit 2-3 different lifts and then I go walk uphill on the treadmill for 30-40 mins or until I'm too nauseous to continue.

I've noticed if I nibble on something like a couple almonds or bite of a protein bar the nausea passes. But it's annoying and usually hits right after a heavy set. I'm playing around with different pre workout nutrition to see if that helps.

 

[LabRatts]

Newbie as far as reta goes, fit 59 yo male going into 6th week. I notice the increase in heart rate but not in a negative way (rev that motor a lil bit!) and no noticible differences in athletic performance. not a negative anyway. I simply "feel" like the reta is at work, if that makes sense. Like you know something "else" is onboard and it's doing "things', all of which seem to be good at this moment in time. Happy researching!

 

[anhydrous]

I've noticed if I nibble on something like a couple almonds or bite of a protein bar the nausea passes. But it's annoying and usually hits right after a heavy set. I'm playing around with different pre workout nutrition to see if that helps.

I'll throw some snacks in my gym bag and see if a few bites of something helps.

 

[desinr-gal]

So I just started Reta recently and when I went to gym that morning (I go 5/6 days a week) after taking my dose I got very light headed & fast heart rate on the treadmill, so Ive decided to take my dose on my days off from the gym from now on.

Reta will actually hit it's peak the next day or after.. Try the GLP1 tracker app for reference.

 

[fatdude]

Im 46, lift 3 days a week and box e days a week. At 1st boxing was hard when I started reta, I think it might had been from my calories dramatically dropping off, now that im 6 months into reta there is no affect on my boxing. My cardio has actually gotten better due to not carrying the extra weight.

 

[ivelweyz]

I try to hit at least 100g protein/day but it should probably be more like 140g and I probably don't eat enough carbs.

That's going to be the tough part for me. ~200g protein, 60-80g fats means fitting in carbs when I'm not hungry will be tougher than it was ~12 years ago.

 

[Arkend]

Be wary of your blood sugar, I haven’t had a crash and don’t have glucose issues normally, but Reta can be harder on glucose levels without carbs.

About 5 days before I started Reta, my non-fasted Glucose was 73 at the doctor. I felt like the first week of Reta I was having symptoms that were similar to low blood sugar when looking online and I’d down some quick carbs and feel better (banana, oatmeal, handful of nerd clusters). This happened 2 or 3 times and ever since I quit going pretty low carb those symptoms have gone away.

 

[richtyke]

Hello Everyone -

I am curious fo those that lift (3-4x a week life long lifter) and do a good amount of cardio. How does the cardio feel on reta? Loss of strenth? More fatigue ? I avg roughly 2500 miles a yr roadbike riding March - December. Take the winter months off (I should not but I do). Researching now and want to drop 30lbs of stubborn muffin fat. I'm 6 5" 255 and my preferred body type is lean a some definition.

Thank u in advance !

Nice post and good to read peoples results from this. I'm pretty interested in this too, was previously at the gym 2-3x week and a couple of runs.

Currently training for a half marathon (to run in 2 weeks time) but after that was planning to revert back to gym focus but keep running as then got a trail half in September so will need to switch back to run focus.

Really keen to not see diminished returns for running as may be problematic but on the other hand was only planning to use Reta for a short term 'quick shift' to get a bit leaner. Happy to listen to advice on if this seems logical or not based on my limited knowledge/experience as yet to actually start on reta

cheers