My Experience With Retatrutide: My Journey in 2026

My personal experience with retatrutide, changes to my habits, and what I have noticed along the way.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’ve been learning about peptides. I wanted to share my own experience with retatrutide, not just the numbers on the scale, but my appetite, workouts, eating habits, side effects, and how I feel.

Important: Retatrutide is an investigational drug and is not FDA-approved. This is my personal account, not medical advice, a recommendation to use it, or dosing guidance. Its risks and long-term effects are still being studied.

Where I started

I started working on my weight in January 2026. From January to May, I lost approximately 13 pounds while working on my eating habits and lifestyle. I was making progress, but it was slow.

In May 2026, I started retatrutide. I began at a very low amount and made small, gradual increases every few weeks. It wasn’t an overnight transformation. Around four weeks in, I began noticing the scale moving more consistently.

Looking at my weight records, I went from 213.6 pounds in January to about 200 pounds in May, and now I’m around 168 pounds in October. That’s approximately 13 pounds from January to May and another 32 pounds from May to October, or about 45.6 pounds overall.

That timing is part of my story, but it doesn’t prove how much of the change came from retatrutide versus my other lifestyle changes.

I changed my habits, too

I didn’t just change one thing and call it a day. I prioritized protein, attended workout classes two to three times a week, cut back significantly on sugar, watched my calories, and became more mindful about portions and when I ate.

I wanted to build habits I could stick with, rather than focus only on a number.

What happened to my appetite?

My appetite has decreased, but it definitely hasn’t disappeared. I still get hungry!

I’ve noticed the biggest change in appetite earlier in the week after my dose. Toward the end of the week, I tend to feel hungrier again. But even when I am hungry, I often can’t eat as much as I used to. Sometimes I feel full quickly; other times, food stops tasting as appealing and I’m just done.

It’s been interesting to notice how my hunger and fullness cues have changed.

Side effects and other things I’ve noticed

Fatigue: Sometimes I feel a little tired in the first few days after a dose, particularly when I haven’t eaten enough. I’ve noticed this alongside days when my protein intake is lower, though I can’t say that’s the cause.

Eating late: If I eat late at night, I often don’t feel great the next morning. I’ve learned that late meals don’t agree with me as well anymore.

Alcohol: I feel tipsy after just one drink now. I haven’t noticed worse hangovers than before when I don’t overdo it, but the difference in how quickly I feel alcohol is noticeable. That’s something I take seriously, not something I’d encourage anyone to test.

These are my observations, not proof that retatrutide caused each effect.

Energy and how I feel

Overall, I feel like I have more energy. I also want to be transparent: retatrutide isn’t the only peptide I’ve explored. Because I’ve used other research peptides, I can’t isolate which changes came from what.

What I can say is that I feel amazing overall.

Changes beyond the scale

I went from a snug size 16 to a very loose size 12. I might even fit into a size 10, but I haven’t bought anything that small yet!

My face looks slimmer. People I haven’t seen in a few months often ask whether I’ve lost weight. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised that I don’t have a ton of loose skin, though everyone’s experience is different.

And honestly, the best part isn’t just what other people notice. It’s how I feel in my own body.

Where I am now

I’m currently at a consistent amount and don’t plan to make changes just because the scale slows for a week or two. I’m continuing to pay attention to my nutrition, protein, activity, and how I feel. Because retatrutide is investigational, decisions about using it and any changes to it warrant qualified medical guidance.

Weight change isn’t always linear. I’m proud of the habits I’ve built and the progress I’ve made.

My biggest takeaway

This experience has been about much more than a number. I’ve changed how I eat, how I exercise, and how I listen to my body. Retatrutide has been part of the timeline, but it hasn’t been the only factor, and my results aren’t a prediction of anyone else’s.

I’m excited to keep sharing what I learn. Thanks for being here and following along!

❤️ Rachel

Want to learn more?

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Disclosure: I have affiliate and referral relationships with some businesses discussed elsewhere on my website and may earn commissions from qualifying referrals. This article describes my personal experience and is not a recommendation to purchase or use retatrutide.

Retatrutide is investigational and not FDA-approved. Safety, effectiveness, and long-term risks for general use have not been established. This article is for personal storytelling and general education only.