Another old man intro

[Solocam]

Hi everyone,

52 year old dude. 5'7 222lbs Was a member of some boards years ago, I've been out of the iron game for a long time.

Started lifting at 16 until 34 (twins were born and started a business). Lifted off and on over the last ~20, 2012 was the last time i was in very good shape.180lbs @ 12%body fat. Only PED's I've ever take was Clen when I was 21 years old for a couple weeks tapered.

This last year I've been having a real tough time losing weight. Been feeling very exhausted and no motiviation now for months. Up until March, I was doing a 3 day split, 1 hour cardio on treadmill 3 times per week. Calories were in the 1200-1600 range. 1.5 Grams/lb protein, <40 grams carbs, the balance in fat (mostly unsaturated). After 3 months, I saw very little change. Lost 3 lbs on the scale, and gained 2.5lbs lbm. So net loss of 1lb fat.

I finally realized maybe there's something else going on. I have the classic low -t symptoms. Exhausted all the time, can't sleep more than a few hours at a time. No motivation to do anything. No sex drive to really speak of. Morning wood doesn't really happen. Lack of focus has become obvious the last few weeks. In March I took a home blood test. Test came back low. (Attached)

Came here to research more info on TRT, and whether self prescribing, online clinic, or local doc is the way to go. I found out earlier this week, my insurance will only cover the implanted hormones.I worry about the consistency of the dosage. Common sense tells me there'd be an initial his spike followed by weeks of continiued low dosing.

I'm hoping to get energy and motivation back. I'm not looking to be a bodybuilder anymore, but wouldn't mind getting some that muscle back either.

Anywhoo, that's me. Look forward to conversing with you all.

-Solo

 

[Villain]

Welcome! All your symptoms sound exactly like mine did when I got off of self prescribed TRT. Couldn’t lose weight despite being in the gym 5 days a week, had zero energy, yawned throughout my workouts. Got back on and everything changed within a a couple of weeks. Best of luck to you and welcome to Meso.

 

[T&H]

Welcome to meso!

 

[JesterBOB]

Welcome to the forum. You have some kind of low calorie content, how did you even live on so much food?

 

[Solocam]

Welcome to the forum. You have some kind of low calorie content, how did you even live on so much food?

Thanks for the welcome.

Not what I would typically do to myself in years past. I just looked back through my fall journal(Sept thru Dec). Calories were between 1163 and 1 day I did hit 1890. Most days appear to be in the 1250ish range. 40% protein/15% carbs/45% fat. (Attached an example day).

I lost my job in construction due to the Covid shutdowns. Found an office job paying the same amount and with a retirement plan. So I gave up the daily hustle on the jobs site and have become very sedentary behind a desk.

This was meant to be extreme to see if I could burn off some major bodyfat. After 3 months, not much to write home about. Strength was crap, and not much energy most days. After the new year, really started looking into hormone symptoms. Seemed to check most of the boxes.

 

[Rickt]

Plenty of guys in the same boat here my friend. Im 55 and on trt plus a little on the side. My wife wants a chainsaw for xmass. Too much wood. Get some blood work done post it if you are brave and the xperts will have you feeling 30 again. Best not to second guess what you need. Even a clinic will start with bloodwork. You arent alone.

 

[JesterBOB]

Thanks for the welcome.

Not what I would typically do to myself in years past. I just looked back through my fall journal(Sept thru Dec). Calories were between 1163 and 1 day I did hit 1890. Most days appear to be in the 1250ish range. 40% protein/15% carbs/45% fat. (Attached an example day).

I lost my job in construction due to the Covid shutdowns. Found an office job paying the same amount and with a retirement plan. So I gave up the daily hustle on the jobs site and have become very sedentary behind a desk.

This was meant to be extreme to see if I could burn off some major bodyfat. After 3 months, not much to write home about. Strength was crap, and not much energy most days. After the new year, really started looking into hormone symptoms. Seemed to check most of the boxes.

I don't know, I think you just didn't eat enough. I think it's better to create activity in the form of cardio in the morning, for example, before work and after. And you will not starve and you will have energy if you add food.

 

[JesterBOB]

When I fell ill with covid and was treated for a long time and moved little and lay a lot. It felt like I didn't have all the energy. And when he began to move and eat more, he began to lose fat and energy more. Therefore, activity and proper nutrition.

 

[Solocam]

Plenty of guys in the same boat here my friend. Im 55 and on trt plus a little on the side. My wife wants a chainsaw for xmass. Too much wood. Get some blood work done post it if you are brave and the xperts will have you feeling 30 again. Best not to second guess what you need. Even a clinic will start with bloodwork. You arent alone.

Thanks sir.

I posted my bloodwork results in a different thread on the Men's Health forum.

I'm too damn old to give a shit about being embarrassed anymore. Just want to figure out the best and most effective way to feel like myself again.


-Solo

 

[Solocam]

I don't know, I think you just didn't eat enough. I think it's better to create activity in the form of cardio in the morning, for example, before work and after. And you will not starve and you will have energy if you add food.

Might be fair point. I could have inadvertently put my body catabolic, and gone into starvation mode. Sometimes it helps to have a different perspective. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[JesterBOB]

Might be fair point. I could have inadvertently put my body catabolic, and gone into starvation mode. Sometimes it helps to have a different perspective. Thanks for the suggestion.

I agree, sometimes it helps me to look from the side to see my mistakes.