Riding, muscle mass, and hormones? Long post!
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Now, if I had only done anything right in high school, health-wise...
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As if the tight spandex were not enough.
Now this is some great advice. Especially the Muscle Car. I have been begging my wife for one for years. I thought that I had tried every angle before but maybe this breathes life into that dream.
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I've informed the girl that sometime in my 40s I'll be picking up a Ferrari 360.
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The main reason to consider NOT doing it is once you start replacing testosterone by way of injections, creme's, or the patch, your body will see that as a reason to stop producing it naturally and once it stops producing the hormone it doesn't start back up again. So anyone opting for replacement should be prepared to take it for the rest of their life.
I listen to the Joe Rogan podcast and he says that he doesn't know why every guy over the age of the 45 isn't on testosterone therapy.
Last edited by Dunbar; 06-16-16 at 01:21 PM.
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I used to run a little back in my school days and enjoyed it but I had a torn meniscus a few years back that has made me scared to run. Although about a month ago my son and I were walking down Daytona Beach and he challenged me to a race where I showed him that his old dad can still move. Felt pretty good!
#58
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Is this really true? If you stop taking T your body won't (eventually) rebound to baseline levels of testosterone production? I think it's more likely that once your age-related testosterone levels start to decline they won't ever get back up to 'normal' levels without supplementation. Wasn't there also some studies showing testosterone supplementation was linked to an increased risk of heart attack? That seemed to coincide with a huge dropoff in the number of commercials being broadcast for the "low T" drugs.
I listen to the Joe Rogan podcast and he says that he doesn't know why every guy over the age of the 45 isn't on testosterone therapy.
I listen to the Joe Rogan podcast and he says that he doesn't know why every guy over the age of the 45 isn't on testosterone therapy.
While there is little evidence of any link between testosterone therapy and prostate cancer, some physicians believe the issue is still on the table – and urge patients getting TRT to check their PSA levels once or twice a year.
Another study, published in the New England Journal of American, examined the effect of testosterone gel in men 65 and older. It was discontinued when participants experienced cardiac, respiratory, and skin problems. Many did, however, experience an increase in muscle strength before the study was halted.
Here’s the worst thing about TRT: using a testosterone patch, pill, gel, or injection for even just a couple of weeks can shut down the natural testosterone-producing actions of your pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and gonads. Your body stops making testosterone, and your testicles decrease in size. And the longer you stay on testosterone replacement therapy, the more difficult it is for your body to resume natural testosterone production should you ever stop using TRT. Yikes!
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All you need is a 25 year old girlfriend, fix you right up. You'll find all that energy and more
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The JAMA study found that those men in the group who took testosterone replacement therapy had a 30% increase in risk of stroke and heart attack vs. men in the group who did not do TRT. Other side effects of testosterone therapy can include sleep apnea, acne, and gynecomastia – male breast enlargement.
While there is little evidence of any link between testosterone therapy and prostate cancer, some physicians believe the issue is still on the table – and urge patients getting TRT to check their PSA levels once or twice a year.
Another study, published in the New England Journal of American, examined the effect of testosterone gel in men 65 and older. It was discontinued when participants experienced cardiac, respiratory, and skin problems. Many did, however, experience an increase in muscle strength before the study was halted.
Here’s the worst thing about TRT: using a testosterone patch, pill, gel, or injection for even just a couple of weeks can shut down the natural testosterone-producing actions of your pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and gonads. Your body stops making testosterone, and your testicles decrease in size. And the longer you stay on testosterone replacement therapy, the more difficult it is for your body to resume natural testosterone production should you ever stop using TRT. Yikes!
While there is little evidence of any link between testosterone therapy and prostate cancer, some physicians believe the issue is still on the table – and urge patients getting TRT to check their PSA levels once or twice a year.
Another study, published in the New England Journal of American, examined the effect of testosterone gel in men 65 and older. It was discontinued when participants experienced cardiac, respiratory, and skin problems. Many did, however, experience an increase in muscle strength before the study was halted.
Here’s the worst thing about TRT: using a testosterone patch, pill, gel, or injection for even just a couple of weeks can shut down the natural testosterone-producing actions of your pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and gonads. Your body stops making testosterone, and your testicles decrease in size. And the longer you stay on testosterone replacement therapy, the more difficult it is for your body to resume natural testosterone production should you ever stop using TRT. Yikes!
Also it is obvious that if you don't take the appropriate amount, side effects that you describe will occur.
#62
~>~
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I last tried that in '86, when I was 43 years old. She seemed so nice. Thirty years later, come September, we're still stuck with each other.
Last edited by ltxi; 06-17-16 at 03:47 PM.
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Too few and too small yes, inadequate no--the studies that have been done were far from a full representation of patients taking hormone replacements.
The samples/studies cannot be used as a definitive answer--although there is presently one being conducted with a much larger group but will take sometime to draw more accurate answers.
And again the side effects that you mentioned for the most part are due to an inappropriate or excessive amount administered.
Also think of all the cyclists that have been taking this very drug (illegaly) without dropping dead on the road!
The samples/studies cannot be used as a definitive answer--although there is presently one being conducted with a much larger group but will take sometime to draw more accurate answers.
And again the side effects that you mentioned for the most part are due to an inappropriate or excessive amount administered.
Also think of all the cyclists that have been taking this very drug (illegaly) without dropping dead on the road!
Last edited by VNA; 06-16-16 at 08:03 PM.
#67
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When you consume an excess of calories, your body will build both muscle and fat with the leftover calories. If you don't lift weights (or something similar) your body will build mostly fat. Lifting weights will signal to your body that you need build more muscle, so the ratio of muscle to fat built becomes more favourable (similarly when you diet, you lose both, but again lifting will signal your body to preserve as much muscle as possible). However, as someone else said, there is a limit to how much muscle you can build no matter what, so you don't want to consume too many excess calories as beyond a certain point, everything extra becomes fat.
Just curious, what was your routine? I saw you mention 3 sets of 8 to failure but what actual exercises were you doing? Were you training your legs? If not, you really should be. That is where most of your muscle mass is, so if you want to build muscle that is the key. Cycling is good, but it doesn't really provide the same muscle building stimulus that heavy squats do (unless you're doing something like track sprints). Also, training to failure is probably not a good idea. 1. At that point, your form breaks down and you have increased risk of injury. 2. It is much harder to recover from a set to failure than it is from a set where you stop 2 reps short of failure, but the benefits aren't all that different (so essentially the cost/benefit ratio isn't all that good from a recovery perspective). That doesn't mean you don't train hard, just that you don't push every set as hard as you possibly can (just like you don't ride as hard as you can every time on the bike).
Just curious, what was your routine? I saw you mention 3 sets of 8 to failure but what actual exercises were you doing? Were you training your legs? If not, you really should be. That is where most of your muscle mass is, so if you want to build muscle that is the key. Cycling is good, but it doesn't really provide the same muscle building stimulus that heavy squats do (unless you're doing something like track sprints). Also, training to failure is probably not a good idea. 1. At that point, your form breaks down and you have increased risk of injury. 2. It is much harder to recover from a set to failure than it is from a set where you stop 2 reps short of failure, but the benefits aren't all that different (so essentially the cost/benefit ratio isn't all that good from a recovery perspective). That doesn't mean you don't train hard, just that you don't push every set as hard as you possibly can (just like you don't ride as hard as you can every time on the bike).
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I had testicular cancer at 26, one nut and T levels at the very bottom of normal since then, 55 now. I eat right, ride 8-10 hours/week, paddle occasionally, hike fairly regularly, and have no issues in the bedroom....or any other room. Eating right is lots of fruits and veggies, grains, and meat for me. No strict program, just paying attention. I'm a top third person on Strava in a very competitive market. Good genes help. I'd be lighter and faster if I didn't like beer....
Based on what I've read, T therapy is largely quackery. Look at your diet and other habits.
Based on what I've read, T therapy is largely quackery. Look at your diet and other habits.
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I had testicular cancer at 26, one nut and T levels at the very bottom of normal since then, 55 now. I eat right, ride 8-10 hours/week, paddle occasionally, hike fairly regularly, and have no issues in the bedroom....or any other room. Eating right is lots of fruits and veggies, grains, and meat for me. No strict program, just paying attention. I'm a top third person on Strava in a very competitive market. Good genes help. I'd be lighter and faster if I didn't like beer....
Based on what I've read, T therapy is largely quackery. Look at your diet and other habits.
Based on what I've read, T therapy is largely quackery. Look at your diet and other habits.
Certainly no issues in the bike room!
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The JAMA study found that those men in the group who took testosterone replacement therapy had a 30% increase in risk of stroke and heart attack vs. men in the group who did not do TRT. Other side effects of testosterone therapy can include sleep apnea, acne, and gynecomastia – male breast enlargement.
While there is little evidence of any link between testosterone therapy and prostate cancer, some physicians believe the issue is still on the table – and urge patients getting TRT to check their PSA levels once or twice a year.
Another study, published in the New England Journal of American, examined the effect of testosterone gel in men 65 and older. It was discontinued when participants experienced cardiac, respiratory, and skin problems. Many did, however, experience an increase in muscle strength before the study was halted.
Here’s the worst thing about TRT: using a testosterone patch, pill, gel, or injection for even just a couple of weeks can shut down the natural testosterone-producing actions of your pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and gonads. Your body stops making testosterone, and your testicles decrease in size. And the longer you stay on testosterone replacement therapy, the more difficult it is for your body to resume natural testosterone production should you ever stop using TRT. Yikes!
While there is little evidence of any link between testosterone therapy and prostate cancer, some physicians believe the issue is still on the table – and urge patients getting TRT to check their PSA levels once or twice a year.
Another study, published in the New England Journal of American, examined the effect of testosterone gel in men 65 and older. It was discontinued when participants experienced cardiac, respiratory, and skin problems. Many did, however, experience an increase in muscle strength before the study was halted.
Here’s the worst thing about TRT: using a testosterone patch, pill, gel, or injection for even just a couple of weeks can shut down the natural testosterone-producing actions of your pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and gonads. Your body stops making testosterone, and your testicles decrease in size. And the longer you stay on testosterone replacement therapy, the more difficult it is for your body to resume natural testosterone production should you ever stop using TRT. Yikes!
Also, why would you ever quit TRT anyway? The reason a person goes on it is because their testosterone production is low, so who cares if the body stops producing it. You're already ****ed and TRT helps you not be ****ed. Obviously you'll lose its benefits once you quit it.
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I had testicular cancer at 26, one nut and T levels at the very bottom of normal since then, 55 now. I eat right, ride 8-10 hours/week, paddle occasionally, hike fairly regularly, and have no issues in the bedroom....or any other room. Eating right is lots of fruits and veggies, grains, and meat for me. No strict program, just paying attention. I'm a top third person on Strava in a very competitive market. Good genes help. I'd be lighter and faster if I didn't like beer....
Based on what I've read, T therapy is largely quackery. Look at your diet and other habits.
Based on what I've read, T therapy is largely quackery. Look at your diet and other habits.
#74
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I haven't read all the replies but:
1. What kind of lifting program are you on? If you are not working a specific program I would recommend Wendler 531 or Starting Strength to set a base line and make sure you are training effectively
2. Like others said, low fat = bad. Fat = energy. You do want a certain amount of protein if you are strength training and carbs but add more fat from good sources like coconut oil, coconut milk, avocados, olive oil, wild salmon, grass fed beef, grass fed butter, eggs etc
3. I did some serious research on TRT a couple of years ago. It is a big commitment and expense. Most legitimate doctors wont' prescribe it and insurance won't pay for it unless you are a teen or in your 20s and have the testosterone level of a 80 year old man. I do believe that most of us in our late 30's and older can benefit from more testosterone but it's expensive without insurance. Most of the clinics are total rip offs. I found the best option would be the black/grey market. Testosterone is an anabolic steroid and unfortunately I found that it would be much more affordable going through the same sources that body builders and guys at the gym go. I don't condone that because of legalities and in the end I decided not to pursue that because of that and as you said commitment to never stopping because your body will stop producing it's own
1. What kind of lifting program are you on? If you are not working a specific program I would recommend Wendler 531 or Starting Strength to set a base line and make sure you are training effectively
2. Like others said, low fat = bad. Fat = energy. You do want a certain amount of protein if you are strength training and carbs but add more fat from good sources like coconut oil, coconut milk, avocados, olive oil, wild salmon, grass fed beef, grass fed butter, eggs etc
3. I did some serious research on TRT a couple of years ago. It is a big commitment and expense. Most legitimate doctors wont' prescribe it and insurance won't pay for it unless you are a teen or in your 20s and have the testosterone level of a 80 year old man. I do believe that most of us in our late 30's and older can benefit from more testosterone but it's expensive without insurance. Most of the clinics are total rip offs. I found the best option would be the black/grey market. Testosterone is an anabolic steroid and unfortunately I found that it would be much more affordable going through the same sources that body builders and guys at the gym go. I don't condone that because of legalities and in the end I decided not to pursue that because of that and as you said commitment to never stopping because your body will stop producing it's own
#75
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I am saying that one can be a respectable athlete, have a great sex life, and all that comes with those things at the lowest of low end T. I attribute a good part of that to a healthy diet. Note am I am by no means a vegan, a teetotaler, or anything of that ilk.
i am sceptacle of claims made by some regarding various solutions to problems, real or imagined. In other words, there are many things to examine before T therapy is accepted as a solution.
Last edited by PeregrineA1; 06-18-16 at 06:37 PM. Reason: Content