I posted this over at the "New Male Members" form and was advised to post it here instead. I've been reading and learning and thought I might as well join so I can ask questions and or participate. I read through some (not all) of the stickies, but it is a lot of info and I'm having trouble digesting it all.
I am definitely new and my goal is health improvement and to finally start to feel good about how my body looks/feels. I have been seriously exercising and dieting for about a year so far. I've lost 60lbs (hopefully mostly fat). but for the past 3-4 months (I've increased my weight lifting) and it seems like I've hit a weight (fat loss) plateau. I'm trying to figure out some strategies that will help me break through my plateau and continue my fat loss.
I've been overweight for just about my whole life (read... for my whole life). I've always dreamed of having a "normal" physique and it's always seemed like an unachievable goal. When I was in college (a little over 10 years ago) I started martial arts training and regular weight lifting. after a few years I was in the best shape of my life (but still no where near "normal"). After an injury (thank you martial arts) i had to cut back (and eventually stopped altogether). Fast forward 10 years and I was diagnosed with diabetes (so I've got that going for me) and of course gained even more weight. About a year ago the diabetes medicine I was on started becoming less effective and I was forced with a choice. I could take charge of my diet again and get back into the gym of start taking even more medicine (which will of course cause weight gain). I am 5'9 and was 290lbs (now 230lbs).
So i started a strict diet and regular cardio and I lost steadily for around 8 months. My blood sugars are well within normal range and I'm off all diabetes medicine. This is good and a huge step in the right direction. I decided it was time to start lifting (which I always enjoyed (at least most days) and to help my metabolism by putting on some good muscle mass. Since going to the gym and lifting I have absolutely changed my body composition, but I still cannot loose my remaining belly/torso fat. I am definitely stronger and I can see my arms and shoulders and legs (it's difficult to tell if my chest/abs etc. have made much progress) are definitely more muscular/more dense. However, my weight has stayed pretty consistent and Im beginning to get a bit discouraged.
I also thought that once I got my weight and blood sugars under control I would feel better (mentally and physically) and while I have felt improvements I do not feel as up/awake as I was expecting. I went to a naturopath a few weeks ago and we did blood/saliva tests. He found that I have low (suboptimal but with in "normal range") testosterone (77.51pg/ml) DHEA (149.93pg/ml) cortisol (11.61am/2.25noon,2.05/evening, 1.87/night), low Pg/E2 ratio (17.24). So he proscribed a few herbal type supplements (which I'm skeptical of): Adaptocrene and Adrenostim and hormone supplements (25mg progesterone, 30mg testosterone , 10mg DHEA, and 10 mg of the herb Chrysin (also a bit skeptical of this one)) delivered sub-lingual via a troche. Will this amount and combo help me put on muscle and loose fat? Once I start doing this will it kill my bodies natural Testosterone production mechanism? I havent started the troche yet and I thought you guys might have some advice and/or insight.
-dan
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