What would YOU do?

[FireTRT]

Hey

I've been low testosterone for 4 years, now prescribed TRT.

Im 25% bodyfat, and around 200lb.

I want to get down to around 10% body fat.

At the moment I eat 1200 calories to maintain my weight.

As I had low testosterone for 4 years (during teen) I think I have less muscle than average.

I have been thinking whether to do a cycle to build up some muscle, as I am only eating 1200 calories to maintain weight. Eating 800 seems a bit silly to lose 2lb a week.

I've read/been told that potentially a good idea would be to go on testosterone, aim for 2000 calories and put on some muscle.

My fear is that my waist size will increase, which I do not want (already too big).

IF I went on cycle, 500mg per week and ate 2000 calories (plenty in my case) of good macro, high protien foods... would I recomp my body?

Or would that simply increase my RMR from 1200 to say 1800 after a cycle?

Need some advice/help please. I look like I eat for 2, but I hardly eat anything and its time I done something about it.

Thanks.

 

[Teutonic]

I never once heard you say jack or shit about aerobic activity...

 

[DADAWG]

I never once heard you say jack or shit about aerobic activity...

im pretty iffy on the 1200 calores a day unless his thyroids shut down as well.

 

[RA64]

I never once heard you say jack or shit about aerobic activity...

^This

Running a high dose of Test without hitting the weights, and doing aerobic's till you drop is useless.

 

[FireTRT]

What is it with new members being hit down as if they are retards or something. (Hmm... well I guess loads of trolls post here knowing jack sh*t so I can't blame you really).

However, you are correct I missed out my exercise.

I am doing SL 5x5 3 per week, and 30min bike cardio for 4 times a week.

1200 calories is true, I sh*t you not - fed up of people doubting me with this calorie number... im not here to waste time... the calories are so low at 1200 you guys think I am lying... now you might know why I am getting so pi**ed off as I aint dropping jack sh*t body fat at these calories. Then when I tried 1800 I put on 2 lb a week for 4 weeks!

I've had thyroid TSH and T4 checked apparently I am fine.

Yes, I was considering doing test with the activity and upping the caloires to around 2000.

Im just hoping that doing so I would decrease body fat % and not gain waist size.

Thanks

 

[DADAWG]

What is it with new members being hit down as if they are retards or something. (Hmm... well I guess loads of trolls post here knowing jack sh*t so I can't blame you really).

However, you are correct I missed out my exercise.

I am doing SL 5x5 3 per week, and 30min bike cardio for 4 times a week.

1200 calories is true, I sh*t you not - fed up of people doubting me with this calorie number... im not here to waste time... the calories are so low at 1200 you guys think I am lying... now you might know why I am getting so pi**ed off as I aint dropping jack sh*t body fat at these calories. Then when I tried 1800 I put on 2 lb a week for 4 weeks!

I've had thyroid TSH and T4 checked apparently I am fine.

Yes, I was considering doing test with the activity and upping the caloires to around 2000.

Im just hoping that doing so I would decrease body fat % and not gain waist size.

Thanks

post up in the diet forum here and ask the mod 3J for help with your diet , your trying everything else so what can it hurt.

 

[FireTRT]

Ok will do thanks DADAWG.

Any other opinions/thoughts?

 

[Mt-momma]

Ok will do thanks DADAWG.

Any other opinions/thoughts?

Hi there. You are putting your body in starvation mode and slowing your metabolism. I guarantee if you up your calories with the appropriate macros, you will lose weight, especially if your activity level is what you say it is.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is to take their calorie intake down too far. Calculate your TDEE, which on first glance should be closer to 2200 just by looking at your weight and activity level. Subtract 500 cals from that and then figure in the # of grams of protein you need (should be a minimum of 1g per lb) and figure in your carbs and fats after that. Stick with that for a few weeks and see how you feel.

Also realize that going from 25% bf to 10% bf will take time even if everything is on point 100% of the time. That's a considerable amount of fat to lose and won't happen over night. Accept that you're in this for the long haul. Not trying to sound discouraging, just realistic.

That's where I would start if I were you.

 

[josh223]

the average person's brain needs 800-1000 calories a day just to function properly. If you are at 1200, by the time you factor in how many calories you burn in a day, I would guess you are not getting the 1000 calories for proper brain function.

Do you feel tired or out of it on that low calorie of diet?

 

[Teutonic]

No offense.

However you left crucial info out...sorry if I hurt your feelings....

See 3j..maybe he can unfuck this mystery for you...

 

[Sir Anabolic]

200lbs and 1200 calories to maintain? Doesn't sound right to me.

 

[killboy]

I agree with Mt.Momma, it sounds like your starving yourself. Your body won't burn any fat if it thinks it needs to store whatever food it gets. Also with that low of a caloric intake daily your not going to be able to add any new muscle or even maintain what you might already have (your body is cannibalizing itself).

How many times a day do you eat?

You should eat 6 or more meals a day and if you do the math you would only be eating 200cal. a meal, basically a 1\4 cup of almonds. I don't think its possible to get all that you need at 200cal. a meal.

Definitely consult with 3j, he'll get you straightened out.
Good luck.

 

[BoBoy]

^This

Running a high dose of Test without hitting the weights, and doing aerobic's till you drop is useless.

I don"t know about useless....read the 300mg vs 600mg testosterone clinical trial post again and you see that mega changes was achieved with NO workouts and NO diet change , just the addition of testosterone .

Pretty amazing I think.....but not advisable. Go see 3J , FireTRT ~Bo

 

[FireTRT]

Hi there. You are putting your body in starvation mode and slowing your metabolism. I guarantee if you up your calories with the appropriate macros, you will lose weight, especially if your activity level is what you say it is.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is to take their calorie intake down too far. Calculate your TDEE, which on first glance should be closer to 2200 just by looking at your weight and activity level. Subtract 500 cals from that and then figure in the # of grams of protein you need (should be a minimum of 1g per lb) and figure in your carbs and fats after that. Stick with that for a few weeks and see how you feel.

Also realize that going from 25% bf to 10% bf will take time even if everything is on point 100% of the time. That's a considerable amount of fat to lose and won't happen over night. Accept that you're in this for the long haul. Not trying to sound discouraging, just realistic.

That's where I would start if I were you.

I tried 1900 cals for 4 weeks and somehow I put on 2lb a week total 8lb that I haven't been able to get rid of since. I've since stuck to 1200 where I maintain of have lost/gain nothing but I'm getting frustrated as I want to be losing fat. I've put a post to 3j hopefully he can give me direction, I'll trust what he says and try anything he says as I've had a good read of the transformation posts.

Do you feel tired or out of it on that low calorie of diet?

Yep all the time, even went to the doc to check thyroid as always sleepy and weight gain... But tsh t4 came back ok (I think)... So must be the calories.

200lbs and 1200 calories to maintain? Doesn't sound right to me.

Yeh After my 4 week experience of 8lb gain I found 1200 is where I'm net 0 unfortunately and I want to get out of this trap.

I don"t know about useless....read the 300mg vs 600mg testosterone clinical trial post again and you see that mega changes was achieved with NO workouts and NO diet change , just the addition of testosterone .

Pretty amazing I think.....but not advisable. Go see 3J , FireTRT ~Bo

Thanks. Have posted so hopefully I can get some help.


Like I said, willing to try whatever 3j suggests, I'm getting tried of eating so little and not moving any fat off.... Plus I'm scared to increase the calories after my 2lb a week gain on 1900 calories..... But ill wait and see what 3J advises (hopefully!)


Thanks all for help, appreciate your input.

 

[josh223]

Have you read any of the responses? Read the first few lines from mt-mommas comment

"Hi there. You are putting your body in starvation mode and slowing your metabolism. I guarantee if you up your calories with the appropriate macros, you will lose weight, especially if your activity level is what you say it is.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is to take their calorie intake down too far. "

read that again and again until you understand it. The point is, going a 1200 calorie diet is going to cause more harm than help for your case

 

[FireTRT]

Sure I understand it, but the thing that worries me is what happened last time I put the calories up.

I was on 1200, got told the same thing, went to 1900 and put on 2lb per week for 4 weeks... my clothes were becoming tighter etc so I stopped and went back down to 1200 where all I have done is maintain weight and not been able to get that gained 8lb off.

I went to 3J's OP, and calculated my TDEE as ~2400 Cals, so I should be eating 1900 Cals to lose 2lb per week (theoretically of course).

My question is, why when I tried 1900 calories did I gain 2lb per week.... just would like to know as I am scared to try it again really as I dont want to put on another 8lb that I cant get off - my clothes are becoming bad enough at the moment let alone another 8lb chucked in.

After your thoughts opinions, not telling you......... I need your help so I want to hear what you've got to say etc

Thanks

 

[China_Wall]

1. you're starving yourself, which is slowing down your metabolism similar to a bear in hibernation
2. u are too concerned about the amount of calories and not what those calories are made up of
3. u will have to double your food intake, split into about 8 portions per day (of course protein intake should be high, carbs kept to a minimum)... this will keep your body working all day long and will speed up your metabolism
4. get to the gym more than 3 times per week, that's not gonna cut it
5. STOP making excuses!! if u put in the work u WILL get results, but not OVERNIGHT

 

[Teutonic]

A photo would help.....

 

[Malave16]

Your metabolism is not like a switch, were as soon as u up the calories it will rise. Ehen you up the calories, for a while id say over a month, your body will still threat them as in starvation mode(will store everything you trow at it). So yes you will put on weight when you up the cals. As long as you keep it clean you'll be puttin on lean mass.

 

[FireTRT]

A photo would help.....

Here is a pic....
imageshack.us/photo/my-images/221/87423139lo.png/

(Copy and paste, think as my post count is low I can't post images).

Your metabolism is not like a switch, were as soon as u up the calories it will rise. Ehen you up the calories, for a while id say over a month, your body will still threat them as in starvation mode(will store everything you trow at it). So yes you will put on weight when you up the cals. As long as you keep it clean you'll be puttin on lean mass.

Sounds better when you say it like that. So really, I need to up my calories to around 1800 again... gain some weight... and then in the long run I will lose fat is that what you mean?

So basically, at the moment I am bottle necking myself by trying to not gain weight.

So, I will gain weight until my body realises I'm not 'starving'... then it stops storing, realises there is food and im not starving and will then start fat burning accordingly (as I'll be 500 under TDEE).

Thanks