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Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I always have like a bloted tummy I do all the excersises I can think of but still it never goes away and how to gain muscles fat on legs

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
England East Sussex
August 3, 2025
 · 
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A myHIVteam Member

Exercising protein powder

August 4, 2025
A myHIVteam Member

You can build up your legs with squats. That's a good leg and full body exercise. I'd lean towards diets that lower your insulin. Like keto and intermittent fasting. I'd also research how HIV causes inflammation in the body and how that raises insulin. And it's hard to lose weight if you have high insulin. I've been able to get my HIV weight off with weightlifting and intermittent fasting. That seemed to be the easiest approach. Lower that insulin, and weight falls off.

August 4, 2025 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

I've been told that by a doctor but is there a way to improve it

August 3, 2025
myHIVteam

What you're describing sounds like it could be lipodystrophy, a condition where fat deposits build up in different areas of the body, particularly around the abdomen. This is a known side effect of some HIV medications that can make the belly appear bloated or hard, even with exercise. It's not just regular weight gain - Show Full Answer

What you're describing sounds like it could be lipodystrophy, a condition where fat deposits build up in different areas of the body, particularly around the abdomen. This is a known side effect of some HIV medications that can make the belly appear bloated or hard, even with exercise. It's not just regular weight gain - it's specifically related to how HIV medications can affect fat distribution in your body. There are several treatment options available:

• Talk to your doctor about switching to newer HIV medications that are less likely to cause fat distribution changes
• Ask about Tesamorelin (Egrifta), an FDA-approved medication specifically for HIV-related lipodystrophy
• Continue with a healthy diet and exercise routine, as these support overall health
• Consider consulting with a plastic surgeon if the changes significantly impact your self-confidence

Remember that managing lipodystrophy requires working closely with your healthcare team to find the right combination of treatments for your specific situation.

August 3, 2025

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