New guy, B.F., estimate?

**bigslick7878** · 07-21-2011, 10:43 PM

20% minimum. And that is being generous.

Still don't know your workout history which is important.

Have you been working out a month? A year? 5 years?

How often? Never? Once a week? twice? 5 times?

**oatmeal69** · 07-22-2011, 12:20 AM

BG - Awesome, ... Thanks for being positive. Your last post has some excellent ideas and things to think about.

I'm not really interested in hormone replacement therapy. (at least not the kind where you go to a Dr. and maybe, or not, get on some mild meds... ) As you say, it's more of a lifetime commitment with uncertain results, and may not even be necessary.

I do think getting blood work done first as a baseline is a good idea though. It can't hurt. - If I am low T, Lifting and eating right is going to make much less of a difference, than if I fix it first.

My workout history - I've been on a good diet for a year now, and been doing CrossFit 4-5 days weekly for almost as long. For the last couple months, I've been running in the A.M. as well, 3-4 days weekly. I feel great, and I would say that my fitness level is good.

It's my experience that one's fitness level doesn't necessarily mean one is built and/or super lean. I know guys and girls in Crossfit who you'd never think it, but they can move more weight in less time than many pro bodybuilders can. That's not to say some aren't built too, but most are pretty average looking, compared to what they're capable of. As far as strength, there are several powerlifters there who just astound me with what they can do, but I wouldn't call them noticeably 'built' either.

Before that, say 5 years ago, I had a much more traditional approach - chest and tri's one day, legs another, and so on. This was a few years ago. I got strong as hell - Benched 225, at 160LBS bodyweight which was an 85 pound increase over what I could do before. but never really put on much size. Between all that, I was a lifeguard and divemaster... I got LOTS of ocean swimming in, trust me. It isn't good for size, or really even losing fat though.

I posted up my latest diet HERE, and am making adjustments as recommended...
The calories are low, but it seems to be the only way I can not put on fat...

Bigslick7878: HERE IS SOME MORE INFO ABOUT MY WORKOUT HISTORY along with what I've written here...

I'm willing to move away from Crossfit, and back to a more traditional gym setting if need be. My goal really is to drop fat, and keep as much lean muscle as I can. Not really to get bigger. (of course, that wouldn't be disappointing either)

My reasoning for being here is that I'd like to do a test cycle with something on top which won't just cause bloat or weight gain... And to be sure that anything I do, I come away with using excellent P.C.T. I am totally willing to get down to 15% BF, but I'm pretty sure It will require losing muscle to do it. I just don't have the genes to do otherwise.

. This is a link on this site *admin* Approved

**oatmeal69** · 07-22-2011, 12:36 AM

Here's a pic before I started working out with the idea of gaining muscle (maybe 5 years ago). I was sorta fit then too, but even more scrawny-er, lol.
Stormtrooper helmet added to protect the guilty...

**oatmeal69** · 07-22-2011, 12:38 AM

Double Post

**flatscat** · 07-22-2011, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by BG

OK, first off i wasnt even speaking to you in my first post. Problem is some people around here every time someone says they are over 40 years old they say HRT right off the bat. Its a shame because hrt is taken to lightly around here and is abused by younger guys.

As far as you and hormones. They are not your problem nor your answer.....diet and exercise is. You need to get yourself on a good clean diet, a good steady exercise regimen and get in shape to see how you really feel. HRT is a life long commitment and needs to be considered if really needed, because if you start it there's no turning back. You will surpress your natural HTPA and will feel like shit if you stop. Trust me, it seems cool and a good idea now but 3-4 years from now you might feel different (kinda like those tribal band tattoo's around guys biceps)

My advise to you, hit the diet and training section hard. Get in shape and if down the road you still want to try something then run a low dosage test cycle..........no need for to make hasty life long decision.

hey bg,

What is ur problem? jp only said to have his levels checked. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. U on an anti hrt kick or what?

Flats

BG · 07-23-2011, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by flatscat

hey bg,

What is ur problem? jp only said to have his levels checked. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. U on an anti hrt kick or what?

Flats

Hey Flats mind your business, I explained myself , you dont have to try to stick up for anyone. Yes hrt is way over recomended around here. just because some have knoledge of it they like to speak about it to often. The OP is going in the right direction now, get his BF down (diet in check) and training right.

Oatmeal, you can get your BF down without losing muscle, search carb cycling, works great.

**oatmeal69** · 07-23-2011, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by BG

Oatmeal, you can get your BF down without losing muscle, search carb cycling, works great.

I will do that... Keeps your body guessing and adjusting, right?

BG · 07-24-2011, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by oatmeal69

I will do that... Keeps your body guessing and adjusting, right?

Yes, has worked the best for me........now I want to see some good pics in this thread in a month or so get to work !!! Im going to carb cycle also, going to Florida in Sept, time to turn heads lol.

**oatmeal69** · 07-24-2011, 10:34 AM

Way ahead of you, bro... I've been tweaking the diet already. Yesterday was a "pre" load up, today will be a careful load, and then back to two days lean and clean, maybe 3, depending on how I feel...
Gotta be really careful though, when I overdo it - even slightly, I lose all motivation and strength/endurance in the gym.

BG · 07-24-2011, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by oatmeal69

Way ahead of you, bro... I've been tweaking the diet already. Yesterday was a "pre" load up, today will be a careful load, and then back to two days lean and clean, maybe 3, depending on how I feel...
Gotta be really careful though, when I overdo it - even slightly, I lose all motivation and strength/endurance in the gym.

Exactly, dont push the 3 days right away, let your body adjust then work your way up to it.

**flatscat** · 07-25-2011, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by BG

Hey Flats mind your business, I explained myself , you dont have to try to stick up for anyone. Yes hrt is way over recomended around here. just because some have knoledge of it they like to speak about it to often. The OP is going in the right direction now, get his BF down (diet in check) and training right.

Oatmeal, you can get your BF down without losing muscle, search carb cycling, works great.

bg, pretty sure most are here to help. Oatmeal already said he is going to have labs done which is a good thing. i hope all his levels are normal.

**oatmeal69** · 07-25-2011, 10:36 AM

I am hoping they're all normal as well!
I had blood drawn Friday, I'm hoping the results will be ready in a day or three. I'll post 'em when they come in.

**oatmeal69** · 07-28-2011, 12:48 PM

Here are blood results:
Everything not posted is in the "normal" range - most of them smack in the middle of normal.
I have a history of High Cholesterol/Triglycerides, as do all the males in my family... Mine dates back to my teens. Right now, it's actually looking a bit lower than usual. Several Doc's say it isn't a lot to worry about, it's the ratio that matters most, and apparently mine is decent.

I also included Test and Estradiol values, not because they are out of range, but they're important to my considerations.

Comments?
BUN: 29 mg/dL (range 6-24)
Bun Creatinine Ratio: 27 (range 9-20)
Cholesterol: Total = 213 mg/dL (range 100-199)
Triglycerides: 278 (range0-149)
HDL Cholesterol: 44 mg/dL (range >39)
LDL Cholesterol: 113 mg/dL (range0-99)

Testosterone:
Serum: 459 ng/dL (range249-836)
Free: 12.44 ng/dL (range 5.0-21.0)
% Free Test: 2.71 (range 1.50-4.20)

Estradiol, Sensitive: 15 pg/mL (range 3-70)

Thyroid Panel
TSH: 3.26 uIU/mL (range 0.45-4.5)
T4: 5.5 ug/dL (range 4.5-12.0)
T3 uptake: 30% (range 24-39%)
Free Thyroxine Index: 1.7 (range 1.2-4.9)

**SlimmerMe** · 07-28-2011, 01:49 PM

^^ if you wish, post this in the HRT forum for feedback...
and...did you get thyroid BW? assuming fine?

**oatmeal69** · 07-28-2011, 02:20 PM

I will, and I did. It's all in the normal range:
Thyroid Panel
TSH: 3.26 uIU/mL (range 0.45-4.5)
T4: 5.5 ug/dL (range 4.5-12.0)
T3 uptake: 30% (range 24-39%)
Free Thyroxine Index: 1.7 (range 1.2-4.9)

**pointblank** · 08-02-2011, 04:55 PM

21% bf

**oatmeal69** · 08-18-2011, 10:30 AM

Just got caliper'ed yesterday, I'm at 16.5%
Changed my diet around something fierce.
Quit Crossfit, (was doing it 5-6 days / wk.) and switched to 'traditional' workout - 2 body parts per session 3-4 sessions per week, with light cardio e.o.d. for 30 min. with a new personal trainer.

**auslifta** · 08-22-2011, 08:23 AM

If you're at 16.5 now compared to first photo, good job! I had you at 21-23% fromoriginal photo. Don't get caught up in the numbers. Just keep pushing consistantly. Goodluck.

**euphoric** · 08-24-2011, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by auslifta

If you're at 16.5 now compared to first photo, good job! I had you at 21-23% fromoriginal photo. Don't get caught up in the numbers. Just keep pushing consistantly. Goodluck.

Can't agree enough. Remember getting BF% tested is an estimate at best. Remember though its just a number. Are you happy with yourself? Do you feel you look good? Do your clothes fit well? Do you get compliments? I like to use things like this much happier. A number, be it weight or bf% or a 1RM is simply that, a number. How you feel about yourself is the most important factor.

If you don't mind my asking, any specific reason you quit crossfit and didnt just cut back?

**sandramartini** · 08-25-2011, 01:59 AM

I am sorry, that has interfered... At me a similar situation. I invite to discussion.

**juttsdm5** · 08-25-2011, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by BG

You guys are crazy....thats 20% +. He does need hrt either, he nneds to learn how to eat and exercise. Hrt is going to increase his appeatite and he will eat worst because he has bad eating habits. Just because he is over 40 doesnt mean hrt is the answer.......btw Im about 10-12% in my avy.......

i agree with BG.

**oatmeal69** · 08-25-2011, 09:12 AM

I was calipered at 17% last week.

**Mooseman33** · 08-25-2011, 11:36 AM

calipers only as good as person using them.

either way, keep up the good work..

**oatmeal69** · 08-25-2011, 01:39 PM

@ phoenix, I put months of daily HARD training into it. They are by FAR the hardest workouts anyone will ever do. But at the end I hadn't really changed my body composition, beyond hardening some muscle. My overall fitness level was exponentially improved however.
I guess I am in it to LOOK good, as well as be fit and feel good. I want to see results, not just feel them.

If anyone is commenting and under 35-40, I assure you - my diet is now firmly in check, and my training is solid. It just and simply is NOT the same trying to keep muscle and lose fat after 35-40. Maybe it is for some, but not me.
I begin my cycle soon. Sick of busting my tail and eating tasteless food for nothing.
P.S., my diet is posted also, just look at my prof. if interested...

**oatmeal69** · 08-25-2011, 01:45 PM

I have every intention of going back to crossfit when I get to where I want to go looks-wise and B.F. %, There's no equal to it for overall fitness.
I think that for overall shaping and toning though, it is far less than optimal.