Age related or HRT related

[bethdoth]

I have been working out like a mad man, eating very clean and on HRT (injections) since December 2012. I have dropped from 26% BF to about 14%-15%. I have been this lean before approximately 12% with not as much muscle, when I was in my late 20's early 30's. But something in different this time now that I am 52.

I am seeing veins in places I have never seen before. At the most in the past I saw the vein in my biceps but, now I see that one and about 3 others in my biceps that branch off, I can follow the vein all the way from my hand up my arm and through the front of my shoulders, I see veins just below my obliques and for the first time this morning I saw a vein running up through my quads after 40 minutes of cardio.

Do you think as we age our veins get bigger, skin gets thinner or could it be related to HRT? I like it but, just wonder why am I way more vascular then previous years of getting back into shape.

[austinite]

I have been working out like a mad man, eating very clean and on HRT (injections) since December 2012. I have dropped from 26% BF to about 14%-15%. I have been this lean before approximately 12% with not as much muscle, when I was in my late 20's early 30's. But something in different this time now that I am 52.

I am seeing veins in places I have never seen before. At the most in the past I saw the vein in my biceps but, now I see that one and about 3 others in my biceps that branch off, I can follow the vein all the way from my hand up my arm and through the front of my shoulders, I see veins just below my obliques and for the first time this morning I saw a vein running up through my quads after 40 minutes of cardio.

Do you think as we age our veins get bigger, skin gets thinner or could it be related to HRT? I like it but, just wonder why am I way more vascular then previous years of getting back into shape.

Lower body fat leads to more vascularity. More in some than others. That and age. Previous years you may not have been working out as much as you are today, probably why you didnt see much back then.

[bethdoth]

Back when I was younger I would run 6-10 miles 4 days a week then go lift for 30-40 minutes. Now I do the elliptical 40-60 minutes fasted 4 times a week and lift 3-4 times a week for an hour or so. I was just as lean back then but, wasn't concerned about maintaining muscle like I am now, so I do have more LBM now. My diet is way cleaner now but BF is about the same as before???

[steroid.com 1]

As we age we distribute fat differently and skin elasticity changes as well so blood vesicles and veins will present differently. Ever see the veins on an elderly person?

I am the same age as you and do everything I can to induce massive vascularity as it simply enhances the body builder physique not discounting the fact that it helps in training as well.

Enjoy my friend, you're doing it right!

[kelkel]

You calling me old GD? Austinite?

[austinite]

You calling me old GD? Austinite?

No. You're a miracle boy.

[kelkel]

Ah, sarcasm......

[junk2222yard]

I have been working out like a mad man, eating very clean and on HRT (injections) since December 2012. I have dropped from 26% BF to about 14%-15%.

Are you serious? You went from 27% bf to 14% in 4 or 5 months, just from regular TRT, eating clean and working out? At 52?

Congrats! That is really amazing at any age, never mind being 51!

What is your HRT protocol, what is your diet like, and what is your workout regimen? Amazing!

EDIT: I think some of the diet and workout answers are in this thread: http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...5-It-s-working!
And elsewhere I saw your HRT regimen is "60mg, 250iu of HCG Mon-Wed-Fri and .5mg Exemestane 24 hours after T.", is that still correct?

[bethdoth]

If you read everything, I preferences my experience with a few facts. My bodyfat checks are with the same calipers, same trainer, same time of day and the same physician sliding scale for my weight. I know calipers are not accurate but, it was a reference point for a start and finish. I can tell you that my love handles have went from 43.5 inches to their current 36 inches.....that there is a lot of FAT! Still have 2 inches to go!

My diet is mostly fish, chicken, spinach, hard boiled eggs, egg whites, whey protein, organic brown rice, protein pancakes, lots of tuna, cashews/almonds, green beans, asparagus, and a few to many Crowns and coke zero. I have been doing the leangains, eating from 11AM to 7PM with any carbs consumed in the first 2 meals and nothing but green veggies (carbs) after that.

My training has been fasted HIIT 3-5 times a week at 5AM {5 min warm up>>> 10 sets of 15 seconds (level 18) as hard as I can go and 45 second (level 8) 40%RPE>>>> 20 minutes at 70% RPE (135BPM Heart rate)>>>> 5 sets of 30 seconds at (80% RPE 150ish HRT) 30 seconds level 8 again >>> 10 mintes at 70% RPE again>>> finally 5 minute cool down.... total time 50 minutes}. When doing fasted cardio I drink 10 grams BCAA before, 10 during, and 10 after. Weight training is kinda half hazard but, is normally push pull (chest/back, Bi/tri, quads/hams etc...) My AB routine has been very intense 5 times a week! I can tell you I never had good ABS till I started this http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...s#.UVXvrVeGnyW
Do this and your abs will start to pop! Do it like it says no cheating keep the core tight, so swinging and go to failure no matter what the number of reps is... it doesn't matter if you can do 3 or 15.

HRT has not changed. I still feel my E2 may be high but have labs scheduled for the 6 week mark April 10th and will find out.

Yes I am busted I will not be 52 till July. Closer to 52 than 51

I am very happy with the results I have achieved so far and very appreciative of the assistance I have received here and the nutrition forum. I am now feeling motivated to keep pushing and try to get down to about 10% and then try some bulking on certain muscle groups, to get a more balanced and muscular appearance. Right now I am starting feel feel skinny .

Are you serious? You went from 27% bf to 14% in 4 or 5 months, just from regular TRT, eating clean and working out? At 52?

Congrats! That is really amazing at any age, never mind being 51!

What is your HRT protocol, what is your diet like, and what is your workout regimen? Amazing!

EDIT: I think some of the diet and workout answers are in this thread: http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...5-It-s-working!
And elsewhere I saw your HRT regimen is "60mg, 250iu of HCG Mon-Wed-Fri and .5mg Exemestane 24 hours after T.", is that still correct?

[HRTstudent]

When my hematocrit went up (to be expected with increased androgens/TRT) I noticed my vascularity went up significantly... I also started to feel like a winded slug when it continued up to mid 50'ish. Giving blood helped, followed by smaller T peaks.