Much, much better. Libido has really picked up, and I’m seeing the world more positively. I’m not back to my “peak state,” but I am much closer to it than I was throughout the fall.
It will be difficult if not impossible to parse out whether this was because of the increased dose (180-250), increased frequency (3X-7X), or dropping of Danazol (25mg ED to 0). However, I don’t regret making all these changes at once, because I feel way better – and I honestly believe all three components are making a difference.
Peter Attia shared an interesting perspective on Metformin in a new podcast with Tim Ferriss. To sum it up: “The more you exercise, and the healthier you are, the less benefit and potentially the more detriment you may experience from Metformin” (as a non-diabetic). He added that Metformin seems to inhibit muscle growth.
This seems consistent with Rhonda Patrick’s viewpoint. I’m strongly considering dropping it…I’ve been taking 500 mg/day.
Yeah, one thing I have noticed that’s nice is that I’m not ravenous, even though I only eat 2200-2400 cals/day and am very active. Probably partially due to the Metformin.
When I was dropping a lot of weight I was eating like 2200, now I eat around 2700 with 1500mg metformin and putting a lot of effort not to eat like 3500
I wonder if Metformin is used in the bodybuilding space for show prep. I’m sure it isn’t year-round (muscle impairments), but its satiating effects could be beneficial when calories are low.
Per @bmbrady77’s suggestion, I’ve been working on creating my own program that aligns with the training knowledge I’ve culled from different sources and matches up with my lifestyle and goals.
My core priorities:
4 lifting days per week (I’m limiting myself here, attempting to increase intensity)
Must be able to do it alone in a home gym
Workouts no longer than 45 minutes (again, limiting myself in an attempt to ratchet up intensity)
A couple other important variables:
Hitting each muscle group multiple times per week (MPS timing)
I’d say that if you’re trying to limit to 45 min workouts, and 2X per week for each group, then you’re going to have to stay away from complete upper / lower splits and compromise on one. My suggestion, knowing that you do the 10K a day, is to weight train legs only one day per week.
Something like
Monday - Chest and Tri’s (All incline work)
Tuesday - Back and Bi’s
Wednesday- Rest
Thursday - Chest and Tri’s (All Flat work)
Friday - Back and Bi’s (alternate routine)
Saturday - Legs.
I mean, I could easily talk myself into only one leg day per week, lol. But that is also my biggest weakpoint. Would you do shoulders on Monday/Thursday as well?
I tried metformin at 1000mg a day for 2 weeks for the supposed health benefits (I don’t have pre-diabetes or any insulin issues) and it made me feel un-well. Hard to describe but I just felt lethargic and somewhat depressed, immediately felt better a couple of days after dropping it. I’ve tried berberine too and did not experience the ill feeling but not sure I got anything out of it either.
Shoulders are typically either worked in isolation (say on Wednesday), or lumped in with Legs on this particular type of split.
They get so much supplemental work that if you do hit them specifically, make sure that you only do a couple exercises and keep it light. If you burn out shoulders it will effect all other upper body workouts.
Same, there’s definitely an adaptation period that one has to push through (kinda like keto in that regard). I’m mostly concerned at this point with how it could be affecting my gainz and athletic performance, given that the jury is very much out on whether it will improve long-term healthy.
Think I felt that (how much they get utilized in non-shoulder-specific movements) today. I tried to max out on OHP and immediately could tell it wasn’t going to happen…because I’ve been shoveling snow the past two days! They were burnt out.
This is a four day a week split that I have liked. May be a struggle to squeeze in 45 min, depending on rest and how many exercises you want to do for each body part. Especially on push day as that is three body parts versus two.
Mon: Push-Chest, Shoulders, Tri’s
Tues: Pull-Back and Bi’s
Wed: Off
Thurs: Legs
Fri: Repeat Push
Sat: Off
Sun: Off
The next Monday you start with pull since that is what was next in the order. If you keep with those three workouts rotating through 4 days, every third week one of them will repeat twice that week.
I know it is not working everything twice a week but I like it because there is plenty of rest built in on the ones that do repeat.
I like that. Thanks, brother! I’ve been playing with how to get everything in 2X per week, but it may not be possible and I might need to institute some sort of rotation like this. It’s not that I have to finish my workout in 45 minutes – I could go for two damn hours if need be, lol – but I’m trying to set that cap so every minute of the workout is INTENSE!
In 2015, I had been lifting consistently (5-6X per week) for five years, yet I looked like an actual muffin. I’ve been thinking about what I’d tell myself, if I could turn back time (cue Cher)…
Start tracking and hitting your BW in protein grams daily
Get your hormones checked – something might be wrong under the hood
You aren’t training hard enough
You’re fatter than you think, young blood
I really needed to hear all of that.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self, with regard to fitness/nutrition?
I love how you critique me , but you don’t even consider the fact that Maybe it’s a great suggestion.
What exactly do you not understand about my comment?
Half life of t3 is extremely short. He’s not giving t4. The dose he’s prescribing our friend is low. It’s not right. He’s also only giving him one dose daily. This is pure Incompetence.
If this doc suggested one shot every two weeks my comment would of passed your filter.
It’s nonsense to see you talk to me in such a manner.
The man has spent years (it seems) trying to figure out his protocol. By now I know a few docs who would of fixed him right up.
He needs a new doctor that will give him a health dose and not sell him short on thyroid meds.
Again I don’t think you should just take my comments out of context. It’s not right.
