ABS and Atripla? Help Please?

[activehiv]

Hey Everyone

Sorry im not trying to sound like a douche but I've been struggling to loose my gut and have my abs show again.  I read that one of the side effects of Atripla is redistribution of body fat to the mid section. Is it possible to have abs and be on Atripla? 

When I was first diagnosed with HIV I was a pretty unhealthy person.  I was a pretty active/athletic person but my diet was terrible.  I was 5"4, 200 pounds, prediabedic, and my LDL cholesterol was way high.  My doc said that I needed to loose some weight.  Since then I've managed to loose 60 pounds and went from a size 36" waist to size 29" waist through a balanced diet and regular exercise.  But I still can't manage too loose my gut and make my abs pop back out?  I remember when I was younger at 140 pounds my abs would show but for some reason now at a 140 pounds I still have a belly?  Is it possible to have abs when on Atripla? 

I know it's not the most serious HIV Meds related problem/issue out there but I just want to know if others out there have similar experiences.  I mean I hate doing abs exercises and if it will be impossible to earn abs while on Atripla I might as well cut back on abs exercises and do something I like doing.

As far as my Cd4 goes it is somewhere in the 740ish range and my viral load is undetectable.  Not prediabetic any more and my LDL cholesterol is normal. 

Thanks,
active

[newt]

Is it possible to have abs and be on Atripla? 

Yes but you need to be young (or super keen), genetically abs-worthy, do the work and eat proper careful.

HIV screws your fat metabolism. Starting meds tends to (mostly) restore this to normal and give you back the fat you should have. Meds related fat gain is on the inside of the stomach muscles, and requires careful and serious investigation/treatment. If you can pinch it, it prob ain't med related fat redistribution.

- matt