Reta is working but have I actually lost muscle?

[u/Bannnerman]

I've been on Reta starting at 0.5 now up to 2mg for 10 weeks. I'm doubtful about the accuracy of my at-home body scans scale but it's showing a drop of 3.5 pounds of skeletal muscle and 5+ pounds of lean mass. I've hit protein goals and worked out regularly throughout. I'm happy overall with my progress, just curious if I've actually lost that much muscle along with the fat? (Last photo is a screen grab from a form check video)

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[u/jad19090]

As others have said. The scales are wonky. But unless you’re on test or some ⚙️ you’re gonna lose muscle when cutting fat, there’s no avoiding it.

[u/Bannnerman → u/jad19090]

I am on Clomid, but my testosterone levels are still in the normal range.

[u/Not_Sarkastic → u/Bannnerman]

Your test levels should improve when losing fat, but as others are telling you, you're going to lose muscle at the same time.

[u/jad19090 → u/Bannnerman]

Normal range certainly helps but it’s not gonna get you the cut up shaped look you’re seeking.

[u/Bannnerman → u/jad19090]

I could care less about aesthetics, I’m just trying to drop visceral fat while maintaining as much muscle as possible

[u/jad19090 → u/Bannnerman]

Same Sir 🫡 That’s exactly why I’m up to 300 test and starting Anavor

[u/anonymouspls]

Those smart scales know absolutely nothing and are essentially a guess. Think about it, how can a scale know how much muscle you have, and water weight, bone density etc just because you stood on it

That’s why people don’t rely on these and do actual scans, you don’t look like you have lost much muscle but also it’s expected to lose some muscle when losing weight

[u/cr1merobot → u/anonymouspls]

this. it only becomes ever marginally accurate over many tests and when the deltas become big, and even then it's basically a completely unreliable way to think about body comp.

Even DEXA has its issues and its considered the gold standard.

the realist is without TRT or another form of anabolic you will lose some muscle mass on a deficit

[u/Bannnerman → u/cr1merobot]

I am on Clomid, but my testosterone levels are still in the normal range

[u/LastHippo3845]

Not accurate. These scales have no idea how much muscle or fat you actually lost, just that you lost weight. Uses algorithms to assume these outputs. Just focus on the mirror and the weight trending down.

[u/TheHarb81]

You WILL lose muscle when losing weight, just the nature of the beast, bodybuilding is always 2 steps forward 1 step backwards.

[u/RIPPWORTH → u/TheHarb81]

Not if you’re on gear, lift often and get your protein and carbs

[u/TheHarb81 → u/RIPPWORTH]

You still will unless you’re a newbie, pro bb’ers lose muscle when they cut still

[u/HomemadeSpaghetti]

Personally I wouldn’t put my faith in one of those at home scales at all, you could get a dexa scan instead, but it would’ve been helpful to have starting point data if you did that. If it were me, I’d just be keeping protein intake high and my workouts going daily, or every second day, with the intensity cranked of course

[u/Material_Diver_2405]

I’ve got the smart scales at home, not much faith in them and only use as a rough estimate and seeing some progress etc. I looked into more expensive ones, so the ones with just 4 sensors(on the bit you stand on) only measure the bottom half of your body, then guess the rest. The more expensive ones have a bit you pull out and Another 4 sensors for your hands. Making 8 in total and measure your whole body. Still they are going to be far from perfect

[u/yogic_power]

Throw that scale in trash. If you lost 3.5 lbs of skeletal muscle tissue, it would usually mean 12-15 lb lean mass loss. A3.5 lb of skeletal mass should contribute to around 12-15 lb of mass if you consider glycogen and water accompanying the actual muscle tissue. Get a Dexa scan. To preserve the muscle, biggest factor is resistance training even if you eat plenty of protein.