Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - 6 of one, half dozen of the other - UGH

I was diagnosed with low testosterone a while ago which has contributed to my weight issues over the years. I am now on androgel, which is on one hand increasing my ability to gain muscle, which will help lose body fat and weight. On the other hand, it is playing crazy tricks with my appetite, which is becoming voracious lately. With winter still in full force here, my bike still on layaway and not being able to get a trainer right now anyway, my only exercise has been walking at the mall every morning. I've gained some weight back this winter as a result - not a whole lot, but 15-20 lbs... Due to a death in the family, no OT the past 2 weeks, so no extra money for paying down the bike either... Just a temporary setback, but UGH!

I was diagnosed with low testosterone a while ago which has contributed to my weight issues over the years. I am now on androgel, which is on one hand increasing my ability to gain muscle, which will help lose body fat and weight. On the other hand, it is playing crazy tricks with my appetite, which is becoming voracious lately. With winter still in full force here, my bike still on layaway and not being able to get a trainer right now anyway, my only exercise has been walking at the mall every morning. I've gained some weight back this winter as a result - not a whole lot, but 15-20 lbs... Due to a death in the family, no OT the past 2 weeks, so no extra money for paying down the bike either... Just a temporary setback, but UGH!

I'm sorry to read of your loss, bassjones.

However, your rebound is just a reminder of what you need to do. You will get things under control again.

I going to take a guess and say you've become very efficent at walking. Muscle memory has taught you how to expend the least amount of energy to walk. It's time to switch to something else and let your body forget how to walk efficently. I don't know what's available to you but my first thought was stair climbing. It doesn't really matter what you change to but it's time to confuse your body. After you get good at whatever you switch to throw in walking again but realize that soon you'll be back to efficent walking. Maybe it'll be bicycle weather by then. I have 6 activities I'm constantly throwing at myself and it only takes about 10 days before muscle memory comes back for me.

Starting P90X tomorrow, so that should shake things up a bit :)

I like much of what P90X program teaches. My concern with it is hunger control. For me,intensity brings hunger. I haven't bought the program so maybe the ads I've seen don't go into it far enough. Not saying it's wrong. Just my concerns.

Starting P90X tomorrow, so that should shake things up a bit :)

Smart move. If I were on a testosterone booster (and I've often wondered if I should be, and I need to be a lot more proactive about getting a doctor on the problem), I'd be finding some kind of way to be lifting weights. At least if you give in to your voracious appetite a little bit, you'll possibly be putting on muscle, which is never a bad thing. I'd do a traditional in-gym weightlifting program, but P90X is better than nothing by a longshot.

I going to take a guess and say you've become very efficent at walking. Muscle memory has taught you how to expend the least amount of energy to walk. It's time to switch to something else and let your body forget how to walk efficently. I don't know what's available to you but my first thought was stair climbing. It doesn't really matter what you change to but it's time to confuse your body. After you get good at whatever you switch to throw in walking again but realize that soon you'll be back to efficent walking. Maybe it'll be bicycle weather by then. I have 6 activities I'm constantly throwing at myself and it only takes about 10 days before muscle memory comes back for me.

This reminded me of a book I read several years ago about speed walking - how it's better for burning calories than jogging because once you reach a certain velocity walking, it's easier on the body to break into a trot. If you continue walking at speeds greater than that "breaking point," you're forcing your body to perform in an inefficient manner.

I never tried it, but on a logical level it makes some sense.