Starting from scratch after major weight loss best route to build muscle?

[TopLad]

I'd do blood work to look at testosterone and IGF-1 levels at least, before deciding what needs to be added to resistance training.

Good point I saw a website where I believe you pay a membership and the blood work is pretty cheap. It’s 6 a decade since I had any done, pretty scared TBH lol

 

[gusterbuster]

Fitnomics. 75 bucks for 3 months and igf1 test was like 30 bucks.

Btw the for blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy, telmisartan with nebivolol is the go to in the anabolic world

 

[TopLad]

100% agreed. Start your lifting program first, get that going. Hard work is a key part of this regardless. At 38 unless you have a negative IGF-1 z-score I'd probably leave the GH options alone (Tesa was awful for me, I tried because I had a negative z-score at 44). Similarly with going down the path of exogenous Test, that's a lifetime commitment once you get going and not one to be taken lightly.

You're just starting, focus on the hard work and routine first (plus eating well which it sounds like you will, and getting good high quality sleep).

Also as someone just staring you have piles of each gains to make - newbie gains are a real thing and you should make easy progress for quite a while.

Lol newbie gains will definitely be welcomed. sleep is tough for me which is why i figured cjc would help with that based on what I read. But yes, once I get to my final goal id be pretty low body fat but no muscles so I doubt i’ll have much of an ab shape but once Im there im going to have to start a routine that I definitely do and don’t look forward to

 

[ltjltj]

Lol newbie gains will definitely be welcomed. sleep is tough for me which is why i figured cjc would help with that based on what I read. But yes, once I get to my final goal id be pretty low body fat but no muscles so I doubt i’ll have much of an ab shape but once Im there im going to have to start a routine that I definitely do and don’t look forward to

Just be aware the GH segretagogues can be great or awful for sleep, it's highly variable. They're awful for me to the degree I can't take them. Also, and again, don't try to increase IGF-1/GH until you know where you are. Goodlabs is also very cheap.

 

[mrmors]

If your main goal is to add muscle, peptides aren't really going to help you.

First thing you need to do is do a consistent amount of resistance training, and upto a weight that fatigues you, not just going through the motions of lifting stupid light weights with no struggle.

Next thing is to eat 0.75-1g of protein for every pound of bodyweight you are.

The above 2 are the basics, not optional.

Next up you you could look at testosterone, creatine.

Finally, for people wanting to be bodybuilders or elite athletes, you'd be looking Anabolics and HGH.

 

[woundcarping]

Next thing is to eat 1g of protein for every pound of bodyweight you are…

Or realistically for building, .7-1g/lb of body weight, or ~1gr/lb of lean body mass.

 

[bogardbilla]

Just be aware the GH segretagogues can be great or awful for sleep, it's highly variable.

This is so very true. I'm on Tesa+Ipa and have been having the deepest most refreshing sleep each and every night, yet I read this thread and many people seem to have it quite the opposite!

 

[TopLad]

If your main goal is to add muscle, peptides aren't really going to help you.

First thing you need to do is do a consistent amount of resistance training, and upto a weight that fatigues you, not just going through the motions of lifting stupid light weights with no struggle.

Next thing is to eat 0.75-1g of protein for every pound of bodyweight you are.

The above 2 are the basics, not optional.

Next up you you could look at testosterone, creatine.

Finally, for people wanting to be bodybuilders or elite athletes, you'd be looking Anabolics and HGH.

Definitely don’t want to be a body builder just slim with some muscle lol I appreciate your response. Yeah creatine actually sounds like a good idea. with this reta it’s impossible to eat that much protein i’m going to have to drink it instead lol

 

[yrrdead]

Holy heck, sometimes this forum, I guess if you are a hammer every thing looks like a nail. If you haven't been training , don't worry about peps or supplements or any of that shit.

You need TUB(time under bar) that's it. Don't get sucked into the "I need a peptide/supp to do anything". It is an optimization trap. I guess phones/algos feed this consumption based problem

Build some good training habits. Really grind on the the basics of your core lifts. Start building that mind muscle connection. Start really feeling your muscles contract and relax on the rep.

That's what you need.

 

[TopLad]

Just be aware the GH segretagogues can be great or awful for sleep, it's highly variable. They're awful for me to the degree I can't take them. Also, and again, don't try to increase IGF-1/GH until you know where you are. Goodlabs is also very cheap.

thx!

Holy heck, sometimes this forum, I guess if you are a hammer every thing looks like a nail. If you haven't been training , don't worry about peps or supplements or any of that shit.

You need TUB(time under bar) that's it. Don't get sucked into the "I need a peptide/supp to do anything". It is an optimization trap. I guess phones/algos feed this consumption based problem

Build some good training habits. Really grind on the the basics of your core lifts. Start building that mind muscle connection. Start really feeling your muscles contract and relax on the rep.

That's what you need.

As a novice I am certain you are 100% right. I was just thinking this would help me see results/feel them faster

 

[lastresort]

I would peptides as adjuncts to lose visceral fat and increase growth hormone, but not rely on them for visible growth. I am on tesamorealin, CJC/ipamorelin and reta, and they haven't really helped my growth. I have been takinng prohormones for strength and growth which seem to be more effective.

 

[Smiter]

I would peptides as adjuncts to lose visceral fat and increase growth hormone, but not rely on them for visible growth. I am on tesamorealin, CJC/ipamorelin and reta, and they haven't really helped my growth. I have been takinng prohormones for strength and growth which seem to be more effective.

This is what I was afraid of. I need to alter some of my plans and notes. What prohormones are you considering more effective?

 

[lastresort]

You can get lots of information from subreddit r/prohormone. The mods there are very cool and helpful.

These days prohormones are some combination of 4-andro, 1-andro, DHEA, Epiandro, and 19-nor. Many of the really good stuff got banned in 2014 in the US, so things like epistane/haloddrol/pheralex are no longer available. You could buy from UK websites since steroids are legal there but you run the risks of being marked as a bad boy from customs.

4-andro convert to testosterone

1-andro convert to 1-testosterone, which doesn't convert to estrogen.

19-nor converts to nandrolone, which doesnt convert to estrogen but also gives knee support.

Epi-andro converts to DHT, which doesn't convr to estrogen.

1,4-andro converst to boldenone-like hormone.

You can also look up Travis Dilard for some stack info.

 

[yrrdead]

thx!

As a novice I am certain you are 100% right. I was just thinking this would help me see results/feel them faster

You are too old for that mindset brother. Get in love with the process. Get real good at your core lifts. Allocate that peptide money towards a great bench , some adjustable dumbells to start. Then depending on space a rack and a good bar.

As for the workout , if you are new it honestly doesn't matter. Plenty of free programs out there. I made great gains using a 5 day program from Muscle and Fitness. Did the same thing for 18 months.

 

[6friedeggs]

38M. Haven’t trained in years. 6 foot 2 200 lbs exact

I was more overweight and recently dropped a significant amount of weight (close to goal now) using retatrutide. The issue is I didn’t have much muscle to begin with, so now I look kind of “skinny fat” with a pretty blank slate body composition.

I’m about to start lifting and actually build a routine from scratch. Diet is under control, planning to increase protein and calories gradually.

Where I’m stuck is which peptide route to go, i’ve reviewed posts here and elsewhere just not sure should I consider:

CJC + Ipamorelin

Tesamorelin

Or anything else people think actually makes sense at this stage

Goal is simple: add lean muscle and not screw up the progress I’ve made.

For someone basically starting from zero muscle-wise after weight loss, what would you do?

5mg daily creatine is a good start.

 

[TopLad]

You are too old for that mindset brother. Get in love with the process. Get real good at your core lifts. Allocate that peptide money towards a great bench , some adjustable dumbells to start. Then depending on space a rack and a good bar.

As for the workout , if you are new it honestly doesn't matter. Plenty of free programs out there. I made great gains using a 5 day program from Muscle and Fitness. Did the same thing for 18 months.

thanks for this thought out reply my man I appreciate it!

 

[TopLad]

I would peptides as adjuncts to lose visceral fat and increase growth hormone, but not rely on them for visible growth. I am on tesamorealin, CJC/ipamorelin and reta, and they haven't really helped my growth. I have been takinng prohormones for strength and growth which seem to be more effective.

Yeah the visceral fat is nearly gone mostly sub fat, but those are all peps I was considering to do along with a solid routine

 

[ThinkVision]

First step is to get blood work done, make sure your test/hormones/cholesterol are in good standing and you're physically well

.. next...

I wouldn't worry about peptides if you're just getting back into fitness/lifting. The BIGGEST factor in your success is going to be routine, commitment, and GOOD nutrition. Peptides are for the 3% benefit that comes AFTER you get the rest established.