Ok, men lose testosterone after the age of 30 at the rate of 1-2% per year. Unreal! Affects energy, mood, sleep, sex life, all kinds of biggies. I complained to doc and suspected low T and it was confirmed by two separate blood tests. So, got cleared by cardiologist to, hopefully, boost it via T therapy. Beyond that, from what I have read over and over, weight training is the single best booster. My question is about what qualifies as something that could help? Firewood making? Some activities there do require lifting. I could say chopping wood but I am not going to do that anymore, lol. Unless one is lifting heavy rounds over and over, I am not sure if this would do much for T. Then we have something like pushing a push mower. That is not self-propelled, lol. Wonder about that. Or weed-eating/trimming, you're holding that trimmer out for long periods. These activities fatigue your muscles, yes, but I don't know if it's like resistance training. Anyone have any ideas on this or do you think you just have to do a weight training / resistance program? I can do the latter, even in addition to, but wonder about homestead / homeowner activity that could help. I've been doing all this but want to accelerate and add to, not only for T but also for weight loss, want to lose more, down 20 but have plateaued for months. BTW, my snoring is gone after 20 lb weight loss. Am to do another sleep study in a week or so. Four years ago, was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, 33x/hour type of bad, but am hoping sleep apnea is gone or lessened by the more recent (about the last year) weight loss. However, I still am sleeping poorly. Of course, this could be low T instead of sleep apnea. A can o' worms for an old fart! Ain't not much that's easy, is it. FWIW, if it matters, I am 6'2", weigh 239. Graduated high school as an active athlete at same height but 173 lbs, unreal! I mean, really! What's crazy is my current gf and my last gf both said, don't lose weight, you're just right, and I'd tell them they are nuts. Beats me, maybe southern women all like a heftier fella. Whatever, it's not what I'd like to weigh. When I was 40, I was in terrific shape, running marathons, and weighed 187 and I was very fit. I am over 50 lbs past that! Almost 70 lbs past high school grad weight. Sheesh. Creeps up 1-2 lbs per year it seems, on average.
I have the cpap machine too. My wife and I are both taking the Zepbound medication now. I and down 84# and she is down about 60#. I know my job is way more physical than hers. She complains that i eat more and lose more weight. For the record my doctor said work (union carpenter) doesn’t count as exercise. We have been walking and biking. I graduated at 152# and was at a high of 305# around the first of the year. Definitely feel much better now at close to 215#.
Well..... I'm almost half that. Lol. Not sure how much I should be worried about low T at my age. Though you did say we start loosing at 30.
I do the treadmill 5 days a week at a pretty good pace for 30 minutes for cardio purposes. The humidity lately is hard on the joints causing me to slow the pace some. It doesn't seem to help shed pounds (5'11"and 230), although I would probably weigh more if I didn't do it. Lately I've been really trying to cut back on snacking. We will see what happens. I'm 71.
I will admit that I sometimes add training into my wood splitting. I don't let anyone see though. Only did the gym thing for about 6 months many years ago. Have flirted with monthly memberships during the cold months just to be able to work myself a bit if the weather is uncooperative. I know it's a self investment but cannot get over the fact that I could be getting something done while I get exercise instead of moving random objects and puttig them back where I found them. It's a bit cliche but cycling is a great way for 'less able' folks to get exercise. Problem around here is where to ride. The dynamics of traffic have changed here. Backroads are no longer a safe haven due to so many hurrying to things that shouldn't be hurried to. There are a couple paths in town but honestly not long enough to be worthwhile. I battled with insomnia in my late teens to early 20s. Some of it was driven by a wonky back. I ended up cutting caffiene after noon, buying a new bed and seeing my doc for an Ambien regimine to get a schedule going again. I'm still not a sound sleeper but do ok. I have not yet explored the world of male hormones, so I don't have much to comment on it. A freind of mine used to get poison ivy on purpose so he could get prednisone from his doc (avid lifter at the time).
One of the things I like about the treadmill is that it can be done in the dark, rain, snow and extreme temperatures. This way I can be consistent with my routine and am not wasting prime outside working weather.
I used the eliptical a bunch when I was visiting a gym. I like the low shockloads for joints (my right knee *will go at some point but I've been babying it for a long time now). Could really wear myself out on it in about 20 minutes with a 'hill course'. I'd get on one after weight training each visit.
I had severe knee problems, both of them. It was difficult for me to get going from sitting. Once I had taken 20 or so steps like a hunched over old man, I could walk okay, even though slowly and gingerly. After more walking, it was pretty much normal. But I had weakness in the knees at all times, scared I would twist it. Anyway, it was so bad I had decided in my mind knee replacement of both knees was in the near future. This was about two years ago or so. My brother mentioned someone recommended magnesium spray and that he was using it on his and it was helping. I had him bring it to me, he lives right behind me up the hill. I hobbled out the door to meet him and he watched as I sprayed it on and rubbed it in. We talked a couple minutes. No exaggeration, like a miracle, I tried it out and walked around totally normally. And have had pretty much normal knees since. I did continue to use it a month or so but I haven't in a couple years. This mag spray was made by Rowe Casa and it is available only at certain places in many or most locales but not widespread like a major brand. Also can be bought online. Last I checked. Seems like it was $40 for a bottle. Beats me, it simply worked for me. People use it for sleep, too. I need to find mine and try it for that. I have tried various mag products but nothing worked for sleep. A friend of mine uses this very mag spray, rubs it on her belly, for sleep. Magnesium is an essential element and an M.D. doc told me most people are deficient. Super important for heart health, digestion, sleep, lots of things.
I hear you with this. Staying in shape or at least trying to is work. I ran my last race a few years ago when I was 60 (a 10K), couldn't keep it up the recovery times were too much. And yes I have put on a few pounds and also have issues with not enough testosterone in the old body. Even before I get out of bed in the morning I do some easy stretches to make moving easI do try to keep active by hiking almost on a daily basis even if it is only 1 or 2 miles. That's how I start my day, then I do some weights which are mostly bench presses and curls. I also like to split wood by hand it is great for the core but this recent weather has me bummed. Also have a speed bag in my garage and when I pass it I always give it a few whacks. I found the best thing is to develop a routine and stick to it. Once at it then it becomes easier to do and also something that when I don't do it I miss it. I also have a few "cheaters" so I can get a small workout when doing routine things. A 12 pound dumbbell in my work truck. I do curls while driving down the highway or sitting in traffic. I also have a pair of grips for squeezes. An 8 pound dumbbell in my office for when I am staring at the computer. Those are for curls too. I also endorse the magnesium and zinc too. I take cal, mag, zinc everyday in addition to a multi.
My wife and I bought walking pads that we use 7 days week. We always stream something to watch to help pass the time. On days I work from home, I’ll do a little extra and stream something on YouTube. We’ve also cleaned up the way we eat. We cut out all the processed foods and make a lot more stuff vs buying it.
