experiences with weight gain/loss on T

[Guest outerhaven]

This is aimed at guys who have been on hormones at last 2 years. I was wondering what your experiences are with loosing weight when dieting?

I've been taking T for 6 years now and have found that weight gain seems to be a problem for me, when it wasn't before. I used to have a normal metabolism capable of gaining and loosing, but now it seems harder to loose weight then gain weight.

For example i have been dieting for about three weeks, eating around 1600 calories and have only lost 3 pounds, which is pathetic considering i should have lost closer to 6 or 9 pounds by now.

What are your guys experiences with testosterone and fat?

I am currently taking nedbido every two months, do you think i should change to a different type of T?

[Guest diniesaur]

Actually, it's unhealthy and almost impossible to lose more than 1-2 pounds within one week--if you do, it's most likely to be water that will come back. Other than that, I'm not exactly sure what to tell you, but you may be trying too hard or having too high expectations for such a short time period.

[JJ]

There are a number of factors here. I have been on T only 20 months but lost 200 lbs approx altogether.

But there were times I didn't lose at all because though I was burning fat it was being replaced by water which is heavier. Make sure your salt intake is within guidelines and drink more water and see if that helps. Also the T does cause you to convert food to muscle and muscle is heavier than fat so if you have increased exercise that can also be a factor. Having at least one day a week when you go well above your goal amount and getting exercise are really key to weight loss I believe because they keep your body from hitting a set point. I was just reading a new study the other day confirming that our bodies do adjust to whatever level we are eating unless we increase exercise and stimulate metabolism periodically.

Tracking on a program like Livestrong,com can also help you see the relationship between what you are taking in and burning. It can also tell you the amount you need to eat to lose at your goal rate but because except in unusual circumstances it is unsafe to lose more than 2 lbs a week I believe that is the upper limit,

Johnny

[Guest ShortyT]

I'm also on Nebido, take it every 12 weeks. been on T almost 2 years now.

I never gained any more weight after starting T, but had trouble losing what I had. Mind you I didn't put THAT much effort into it, I'd try, have no progress, go "meh", then try, no progress.. "Meh".. I'm hypothyroid, and last winter it was discovered I had been undermedicated for the last few years. Once I got that sorted and tried again.. I saw some progress.. Yay. I guess I was finally functioning within normal parametres. No "meh"-mode activated this time.

I'm not actually dieting or anything, what I did do was join a place online (probably similar to Livestrong) that helps me keep track of calories going in and out. When I stay around 2000, I'm losing weight. (The website adjusts as I lose weight, so I'm reminded to keep cutting back) I usually opt for more healthy choices, but am not too strickt about it - that would never work for me. My main exercise is going for walks. I'm having some issues with my feet, but try to get in at last 40-60 min every day. Since early May I've lost almost 10 kg.

[Guest Draik]

I've been on T for a little over 2 years now.

When I first started I was about 180lbs. Being on T made me a lot hungrier than before, and within 6 months I had gained 20lbs and i was at 202. I have always been on the heavier side, and my new years resoluntion since I was 13 has been to lose weight. I went to the doctor 3 days after new years, and seeing that 202lbs really kicked me into gear. Now a year and a half later, I've lost 40lbs. So I guess overall, it made me gain weight, but it was also easier for me to lose weight.

As far as your diet, 3 pounds in 3 weeks is good if you are only dieting. If you are exercising too, then you should see more drastic results in the beginning, but would soon even out. When I first started exercising, I lost 25 pounds in 2 months because I cut back on my caloric intake a lot and I started exercising when before I had barely any.

Like others have said, try using an online nutrition counter. I used Sparkteens (or sparkpeople if you're older) myself, but there are other ones out there too. I also got the myfitnesspal app on my ipod, and I prefer that more because I can enter my calories right after I eat, and it's more convenient. Plus the app is free.

[JJ]

Don't want to sidetrack the thread but Shorty I have some bad foot problems and the hours of hiking every day was really aggravating them till I started taping them the way athletes do. I really hate spending 20 min a day taping my feet but it is well worth it. I think there are some sites online where you can look it up. I use athletic tape on my arches-in addition to special arch supports-and a foam tape on the problem toes,

Just an idea-having foot problems can take the pleasure out of walking in a hurry

Johnny

[Guest ShortyT]

Thanks for the tip, I might look into that. Been spending an obscene amount of money on new soles today also. Since I don't drive either, I'm pretty darned dependant of these hooves.