TRT and Training

Pharma TRT
1

I have always struggled with weight and had the “muffin top” even in HS at 150 lbs, 5’10". Im sure this has to do with my poor T levels and hormones.

I have gone through periods of lifting, cardio and dieting but still can only get mediocre results. Never able to get any decent muscle definition and my arms have always been small.

So the question I have to other forum members, after you were able to get your T levels back to normal, were you able to change your body composition more easily or have a better physique than you have your entire life pre TRT?

This is one of the things that excites me most is the possibility to add some decent muscle mass and get rid of the muffin top.

2

I tried dieting when I was low T with Shelby Starnes last year…I lost a bit of weight but definitely not what I should have considering my efforts…I started TRT in June and began working with Shelby again a few weeks ago…at the 3 week mark, my results are already better than they were 6 weeks into the diet last year…so yes, TRT does make a huge difference

Did I also mention I put almost 100 pounds on my PL total as of my last meet (at the same bodyweight) and am still hitting PR’s in a caloric deficit?

3

Can you elaborate? Sounds promising to be able to make decent gains :slight_smile:

What were your results in 3 weeks?

4

Dude, just do the best with the cards you’ve been dealt. I’ve apparently had untreated low T for many years now, but I’ve been able to be lean. Putting on size has been a bit of a greater challenge, particularly in my arms and such, but I just hit it every day and train my balls off. Your lack of leanness probably has more to do with a poorly structured training regimen than anything else.

Train for the journey, not for the result. Your medical stuff is just going to be what it is, and may take a long time to get sorted out or a short time to get taken care of.

Now, what VTBalla said is no doubt the case–when we get our stuff sorted out, I’m sure that our goals will be easier to achieve. But don’t count on it, and don’t use it as a reason to look at your current training and think that progress is out of your hands. Low T isn’t a death sentence for people wanting to train–you just have to train smarter than you might otherwise.

TRT is serious shit, man. Getting rid of your “muffin top” should be the least of your worries if you’re about to be introducing some serious medicine to your body.

5

My original question was if having normal T levels helped with getting lean or adding mass, hence why many of us are here because of the issues we experience with low T levels. I already have another thread related to my issues with low T.

Its incredibly difficult to have any motivation or even energy to go to the gym with <100 ng/dL total T. The amount of exercise and dieting I have done in the past have had minimal results for the amount of effort put in. To drop any weight I have to consume around 1800 cals a day with exercise.

Saying just deal with the cards you were dealt is hypocritical if you are doing HRT in any form dont you think?

Of course getting rid of the muffin top is not the priority but getting my blood work in order so I dont feel like crap and have other long term issues from low T. Its something that excites me because its something I always struggled with.

So if anyone else wants to chime in on the original topic that would be great. I will post my results from getting my T levels in order once I start HRT, both mental and physical.

6

My “entire life pre TRT”? No. but the last ten years or so, definitely. There is a big difference between being deficient and being normal.

7

[quote]GFA wrote:
Its incredibly difficult to have any motivation or even energy to go to the gym with <100 ng/dL total T. The amount of exercise and dieting I have done in the past have had minimal results for the amount of effort put in. To drop any weight I have to consume around 1800 cals a day with exercise.
[/quote]

My T level is presently in the 34-40 range. I get it, okay? That said, I will acknowledge that I’m not symptomatic in the way that most with low test are.

Frankly, any male eating 1800 cals a day with exercise shouldn’t expect to be thrilled with their results, let alone someone with low t. You should hit the nutrition and training boards on here, along with these TRT forums. The OP and your response just come across as someone who also needs to figure out how to train.

EDIT: When I say “play with the cards you’re dealt,” I mean this: these medical things are going to take time to figure out and treat. In the meantime, don’t use it as some excuse for not making any progress towards your goals. If you do, then you have no one but yourself to blame if you don’t make it anywhere.

8

[quote]dooright wrote:
My “entire life pre TRT”? No. but the last ten years or so, definitely. There is a big difference between being deficient and being normal.

[/quote]

Great to hear. Cant wait to see what improvements I will see as well.

9

[quote]The3Commandments wrote:

My T level is presently in the 34-40 range. I get it, okay? That said, I will acknowledge that I’m not symptomatic in the way that most with low test are.

Frankly, any male eating 1800 cals a day with exercise shouldn’t expect to be thrilled with their results, let alone someone with low t. You should hit the nutrition and training boards on here, along with these TRT forums. The OP and your response just come across as someone who also needs to figure out how to train.

EDIT: When I say “play with the cards you’re dealt,” I mean this: these medical things are going to take time to figure out and treat. In the meantime, don’t use it as some excuse for not making any progress towards your goals. If you do, then you have no one but yourself to blame if you don’t make it anywhere.[/quote]

Ok Ill bite.

Thanks for confirming the issue I have with cutting at 1800 cals. In order for me to lose fat I have to drop my cals that low. Its not normal.

I have a 3 day training split lifting routine and 3 days of cardio with a day of rest. I wake up at 5am during the week to workout since I have a wife and 2 kids and let them sleep while I train. Each day I go to the gym I make an effort to increase weight or reps.

I have a 40/40/20 macro split (protein, carbs, fats) and consume the normal staples one would expect like brown rice, grilled chicken, greek yogurt, veggies and so on.

In high school I did olympic style weight lifting for 4 years.

I was my high school varsity wrestling captain.

I was on the hs basketball team.

I weighed 150 lbs and had a muffin top. I could bench almost 2x my weight and squatted over 2x my weight.

I know how to train, I know about nutrition. But why did I have a crappy body composition? Most likely related to my screwed up hormones.

This tread was not about nutrion or training but if asking if when others fixed their T levels and brought them into a normal range were they able to improve their body composition or abilities.

So if you would like to be constructive great, if not go troll another thread.

10

Dude relax a bit…T3C was offering you constructive thoughtful advice…why are so many people on this board so quick to menstrate lately? Nobody is out to get you

That said, you say that nearly 40% of your calories come from carbs? I have found it VERY difficult to lose weight with my carbs that high. You may want to look at more of a low carb, or at least a carb cycling approach. Shelby Starnes is my diet coach and while you may not want to buy the full program he offers, he does have an E-book that outlines his dieting comments available for around $20. It is a good investment, IMO.

How much do you currently weigh? If less than 170 at 5’10, losing weight should not even be a concern IMO. Because at that weight/height you have too little muscle to even show it off–you will just be the dreaded “skinny fat”. A little bit of a mmuffin top is not nearly as noticeable if you bulk up and get large…that is the route I’ve found easier to take…

11

I am relaxed :slight_smile: His constructive advice came across very condescending starting with the Dude, deal with the cards you are dealt.

My RBC and hemocrit are already borderline so increasing protein may not be ideal until my hormones are in range. Also increasing protein gives me major mental fog and even lower energy when carbs are too low. Thats just me though.

Currently Im around 200 lbs so 170 ish is where I want to be. I have to lift and keep cals at 2200ish just to maintain my weight which sucks. Part of it is getting older, my sedentary desk job and low T.

Skinny fat is definitely what I want to avoid so I lift heavy 3x a week focusing on compound movement exercises like bench, military presses, deads, squats and so on.

Hopefully I can start on the HCG this week and Ill see how it impacts my gym performance and body composition over time. Im not looking to be a beast overnight and know its a long journey, just curious how having normal T helps for the long trip ahead.

T3C apologies in advance, your post just struck a nerve and my low T makes me moody .

12

Im not entirely sure more protein increases RBC, HGB, and HCT…but I could be wrong

In your case it sounds like a carb cycling approach could be very beneficial…higher carbs on the days you need more energy (heavy training days) and less on days you dont (off days/cardio). Something to consider.

13

I am all for carb cycling, have done it in the past as well. I am for at least 150g of protein a day. Is the Shelby Starnes diet program public or do you have to pay for it?

Its a struggle right now with my hormones out of wack just to get out of bed. I have to force myself every day to get to the gym. My sleep is terrible and I usually get 4 - 5 hours a night. Very light sleeper.

Once I get my T in order it will be interesting to see how it will impact my training and body composition. I will report back with my personal experience. Even at my thinnest, I have never seen visible abs. Always had issues with the love handles and gut.

14

TRT and training is a fair subject, but shouldn’t the diet, workouts, and body composition discussions be in a different forum?

For myself, I’m not too concerned about my sixpak or what I’ve been doing for the past sixty or so years, I just want a place to discuss how I can keep doing it for the next sixty!

15

[quote]dooright wrote:
TRT and training is a fair subject, but shouldn’t the diet, workouts, and body composition discussions be in a different forum?

For myself, I’m not too concerned about my sixpak or what I’ve been doing for the past sixty or so years, I just want a place to discuss how I can keep doing it for the next sixty!

[/quote]

Agreed. Thats why the original topic was related to training and trt and its impact on body composition.

16

Responded to your PM–no worries, man. Just felt like the OP was making you seem like someone who was blaming your physique problems on low T, when you shouldn’t take the low T as an insurmountable roadblock for the progress you want. Just kick ass, man–be better than you were yesterday. And hopefully we’ll all get this crap sorted out sooner rather than later.

17

Well tomorrow my doc should get back to me regarding the HCG. My endo wants me to see a hematologist but Im not sure its necessary since my RBC and hemocrit wasnt far off the charts. Barely outside the range.

Id like to do a month of HCG, train like a machine, try to shed a few more lbs then redo my blood work to see if things improve. Then if it does I can bring it back to my endo and go from there.

Entire body is aching right now from the past 3 days of training, feels good :wink:

Tomorrow will be a light cardio day.

18

Yes.

19

Any reason you want to be 170lbs at 5’10? That is pretty light for that height.

20

If I had to pick an idea physique it would be this. He is around ~185lbs 6-8% bf and 6’2?

So I figure 170ish 10-12% bf I will have a decent build and reevaluate from there. Not looking to be big but lean and fit.

http://sixpacknow.com/images/ryan_reynolds_new.jpg