Got BF% Checked

[bethdoth]

I have been lurking on this site for about 6 months. I was using androgel for low T and it didn't absorb. Then my doc tried the patch, I hated it. So then I went to an Endro and started self injection 3 weeks ago SubQ 50Mg twice a week (Wed evening and Sunday morning). Have followup blood work and a new doc to see January 30th. I have always worked since 1988 to stay fit but, now at age 52 I want more. I want to get down to 15% BF and start building some mass. If I had a magic Genie and could wish for a certain build, it would be a gymnast that does the rings. Not huge but built and ripped... maybe I am asking to much to late at 52...

I have been using all the great info on this site to start building my meal plan, change up my workout, and of course manage my hormone levels. I figured I would get my bodyfat checked to see where I am at then start working toward my goal. I'm 5'10 and weigh 208. I figured I was about 22-24 percent bodyfat. I was really surprised to find it was 26.4% ... maybe he needs to recalibrate his calipers LOL. anyway, that is my story.

See attached pic I think I am truelly about 22%. My biggest thing is my darn love handles. Is there anyway to target the loves? Or does fat come off equally?

[FONZY007]

Bro at 52 you look a lot younger,

On trt you should notice lbm increase and fat decrease.. Work out eat right and you should see great results

[bigboy67]

If you used calipers three times you would probably get three completely different readings... do yourself a favor and go get hydrostatic tested. Thats the gold standard for fat testing. I would disagree with that number, thinking you are closer to 18-20% myself, but hey what do I know

[--->>405<<---]

google BOD POD for ur area and go man..

and no u cant target love handles.. i suggest starting a thread in the nutrition section and we can get ur diet workd out. thats where ur really gonna get it done!

[bethdoth]

google BOD POD for ur area and go man..

and no u cant target love handles.. i suggest starting a thread in the nutrition section and we can get ur diet workd out. thats where ur really gonna get it done!

First thanks for all the comments ...21 years in the Navy and being the Command Fitness Coordinator at most commands helped me stay in shape.

I have went to the nutrition section and studied all the sticky's and dug around in a few other posts. I have figured out my TDEE to be 2965 and started a 6 meal plan life style today. I am striving for a daily intake of 2500 calories broken into 20% fat, 30% carbs, and 50% protein. I didn't do to good today.... this is going to take some tweaking!


1. 0530 (6/50/50): egg whites 12 Tbsp 0f/4c/20p; coffee ½ cup 1Tbsp creamer 1.5f/6c/0p Total 1.5f/10c/20p
2. 0830 (15/40/50): cashews 26f/18c/10p
3. 1100 (15/40/50) I cup cooked brown rice 1.8f/44c/5p; 6 oz chicken breast 8.55f/1.5c/32.85p; Protein shake with flax 5f/6c/27p Total 15.35f/51.5c/64.85p
4. 1330 (6/50/50) 2 Hard boiled eggs 8f/2c/18p; grapefruit .1f/10.3c/.8p Total 8.1f/12.3c/18.8p
Worked out 1500-1715 back and chest then 45 minutes cardo at 143BPM
5. 1730 (6/50/50) ISO-100 2 scoop shake 0f/2c/48p; 3tbsp peanut butter 24f/12c/10.5 Total 24f/14c/58.5
6. 1900 (15/40/50) Going to be chicken, Brown rice and Asparagus.

Sorry admins I know I am probably in the wrong forum.

Looking forward to my next blood test results.

[--->>405<<---]

ur right this is the wrong forum

50/30/20 is a great split! 2500cals is prob not too far off for u but at 208lbs 20-26%bf ur gonna be a little high. depending what ur diet has lookd like up to this point as well as ur metabolism u may see some progress.

i dont know what formula u used to calculate tdee but IMO whatever one u used put u higher than what is probably reality. this is the probs with those tdee formulas. the activity multiplier is flawed IMO.

better is (LBM x 15)

for u at 208lbs 20%bf -->> (this is putting u leaner than the caliper had u which will give u more LBM and thus a higher maintenance cal number.if u are indeed 26%bf ur maintenance will be more like 2300 and not 2500. this is why i suggest u go to a bod pod.)

208 x .8(%LBM) = 166.4(lbs LBM)

166.4 x 15= 2496cals

id run what u have though and see how u fare. u will prob drop some fat just by cleaning up the diet and working out (assuming u havent been). when ur progress slows id recommend reducing to 2200cals..

[ctenosaura]

OG (old guy) here too. I can tell you this, its all diet and high intensity exercise. Then there's the genetic component. We all have fat stores in different places on our body just like some people have larger muscles in certain areas of their bodies. The good thing is, I believe, being on testosterone , you should be able to diet harder without loosing muscle mass like you would if you were completely clean. At least it worked that way 26+ years ago when I competed in bodybuilding.

[zaggahamma]

Welcome and best of luck

15% is a good goal ...u dont look to far away...thanks for your service

[MyteeJ]

Welcome and good luck with your plan.

In my experience, T helped me with dropping midsection fat but I also coupled it with better diet and gym time.

I had always slacked on true ab work in the gym and IMO that helps with tightening things up in the mid section. Specifically, focusing on obliques with twists and planks with ab work out helps with getting a handle on the handles.

[bethdoth]

405
I think you are right I feel like I am constantly eating and yet I am consuming an average of 2200 calories and that is with way to much fat. I made an excel spread sheet that I keep track of daily intake for quick reference. Yesterday was my first day actually calculating every detail of my diet. I did not eat enough for breakfast and was hungry as soon as I got to work, so I ate 32 Cashews (high fat). Then after I worked out I was starving and ate to fast and had my next meal to soon.
I will get it dialed in but I do feel that 2200 daily should be enough amybe to much for weight lose. Attachment 131414I will go to the nutrition section and post some of my daily logs next week to get some help.

[dan991]

I have been lurking on this site for about 6 months. I was using androgel for low T and it didn't absorb. Then my doc tried the patch, I hated it. So then I went to an Endro and started self injection 3 weeks ago SubQ 50Mg twice a week (Wed evening and Sunday morning). Have followup blood work and a new doc to see January 30th. I have always worked since 1988 to stay fit but, now at age 52 I want more. I want to get down to 15% BF and start building some mass. If I had a magic Genie and could wish for a certain build, it would be a gymnast that does the rings. Not huge but built and ripped... maybe I am asking to much to late at 52...

I have been using all the great info on this site to start building my meal plan, change up my workout, and of course manage my hormone levels. I figured I would get my bodyfat checked to see where I am at then start working toward my goal. I'm 5'10 and weigh 208. I figured I was about 22-24 percent bodyfat. I was really surprised to find it was 26.4% ... maybe he needs to recalibrate his calipers LOL. anyway, that is my story.

See attached pic I think I am truelly about 22%. My biggest thing is my darn love handles. Is there anyway to target the loves? Or does fat come off equally?

If you're ever in the Chicago area; there is a place that does DXA body scans. That's 99% accurate and it costs about $100 for the scan. Here is the link: http://dexafit.com/

[dan991]

Oh yea- don't be hard on yourself... you look good for your age. Also note that you do not LOSE fat cells; they shrink. They also retain water, which is why you may look like you are carrying more fat than you actually are. Since you are on Test; you can also try some hydrocholorthiziade to dump water weight but make sure you drink A LOT of water while on that stuff as it can damage your liver and dehydrate you.

[bethdoth]

6 weeks ago yesterday I started doing sub Q 50mg test cyp every 3.5 days. I have also been on the nutrition forum and have my diet dialed in pretty good 50% protein 30% carbs and 20% fat. Eating very few sugar carbs and eat most carbs early in the day. I have also been getting up at 4:30 every morning and going to the gym for 40-50 minutes fasting cardio. I was going back to the gym to lift after work but separated my shoulder last week ... so I have to take a few weeks off from lifting. I started on January 2nd at 26.4% BF and 208 pounds. So far I have lost 3 inches off the ol love handles and am down to 201. I feel great!
I have my bood drawn for labs yesterday and am looking forward to see where I am. I will post the lab results once I get them. I may have found a good doctor maybe! I was going to Endro but found a Urologist locally that does the pellets. I don't want to do the pellets but he should atleast have some knowledge about HRT.

[bethdoth]

Well, went and saw a new doctor (Urological Surgeon)today. It was good and bad. He wanted one of 2 treatments, back to applying a gel or insert time release pellets that last 9 months. I told him I didn't want either and asked his advise on continue SQ Injections. He agreed to help me and order the proper labs and also prescribe test cyp in the 200mg/ml vise the 100mg/mil. He agreed with me to increase my dose to 75mg every 3.5 days vise the 50mg I was taking. He said the only HCG he was aware of are drops that go under your tongue. I explained there are other forms that can be injected SQ and gave him a printout of the sticky. I basically asked him if I could be his guinea pig and he agreed. So I still feel like I am on my own in this adventure. I did start doing SQ in my thighs vise stomach (huge lump .75 ml).

I will do a search for people using the pellets to get an idea of how they are working for them. My next step will be to go IM.

[HRTstudent]

Pellets are a beast of their own. Here's the biggest drawback... you need minor surgery every 100 days approximately. You literally cannot get your testosterone without going to the doctor and having minor surgery. To me... that's pushing the envelope of being too reliant on the medical system WHEN I have viable alternatives. At the end of it all, you're getting testosterone released into your body... and I'm ok using a good ol' fashion needle like they've been doing for decades upon decades.

HCG can raise your E2, as can increasing the T dose, so be sure to monitor the E2 "sensitive" assay. Most doctors not trained in TRT primarily only look at total testosterone, PSA, and standard bloodwork.

[bethdoth]

HRT,
This doctor seemed very open compared to the last two. He was very willing to look at the info I had brought from the sticky's and spent about 15 minutes talking to me and listening to what I had to say. He ordered labs for Serim T, E2, Lipid panel, LBL and LFTs in 4 weeks vise the normal 6 weeks. The pellets are out of the question for me because my retired military insurance (tricare) will not pay for it.

I don't know why my Test only went up 303 to 394 in 6 weeks of 50mg every 3.5 days? Maybe I am not doing the SQ injections correctly? 27G 1/2" syringe in my 3/4 inch bellyfat roll. I will try the SQ in the thighs and glutes for the 4 weeks. If that doesn't start to show more of an improvement I will try IM.

To tell you the truth I have felt better with even just this gain. More energy, better sense of well being, slightly improved libido. I can only imagine how I would feel at 600-700?

[flyrs]

Maybe you're someone who doesn't do well with sq injections and would do fine and see more total and free test from IM pins... you've been wondering that yourself. There is a thread comparing sq to IM if you haven't seen it. I think I would maybe try 50mg q3.5d IM and add in HCG sq a couple times per week and see how it's going on the next bw.

[bethdoth]

Flyrs,
You may be right about me just not doing good on SQ... I didn't do well on androgel or the patch either. I may be one of those that have to have it put right into the muscle/blood stream. Yes I did read the thread comparing SQ to IM and it appears some do better on IM. After reading a lot of threads on here I am going to try to continue SQ for another 4 weeks in a different injection site and increased dose. I may be wrong but, it appears there are some benefits to SQ as far as limited peaks and valleys, no need for HCG or AI in some cases. I figure I am a good test platform for the SQ IM comparison. I am new to HRT, don't do anything but test and micronized DHEA and pregnenolone. Did 6 weeks SQ in belly fat left and right, will now do 4 weeks in thighs and retest. If no significant change then I will go IM for 4 weeks and re-check labs.

I know everyone is different and there in no one size fits all cookie cutter protocol. I have to find what works for me, just sucks that it is taking me almost 2 years (started androgel July 2011).

I appreciate the input and assistance I am receiving from the members on this site..... I would be really really lost if it was not for this forum. Thanks!!!!

[bethdoth]

After doing more reading I thought I should ask this. Should I go to 150mg (75mg E 3.5days), 120mg (60mg E 3.5days), or some other amount? What are some of the early signs of E2 increasing? I have done 75mg last Sunday and again last night and I have been kinda grouchy. I blame the crappy weather 3 days in a row up here in Green Bay.

I already told my co-worker if I bitch at him because he didn't notice I dyed my goatee ... then I will know my E2 is high!

[bethdoth]

I have read and watched Dr Crisler's video about SQ injections. When I do them in my thigh I have no fat but, I pinch up a 1/4" of skin and inject at a 90 degree angle with a 27G 1/2" pin. I don't let go of the pinch until I am done injecting, then let go and pull the pin out quickly.

Dr Crsler doesn't pinch up skin and some others don't. Most videos on you tube pinch up fat and inject. What is the correct way asuming you are using a 1/2-5/8 pin?