Fitness Goals Support Group

a friend of mine, in his 40s, got a doctor's prescription for steroids, because he really did have low levels of testosterone. Even HE didn't like the side-effects.

I would strongly urge you to avoid steroid-use. If you have normal testosterone levels you can SERIOUSLY screw up your body... Taking them makes your body think you don't need to produce any more, so your actual testosterone production will DECREASE as a result. I think you are also asking for trouble if you take the pre-hormone stuff (the stuff that isn't steroid but stimulates testosterone production).

Better to do more strength-training and eat healthy - that will go a long way toward naturally increasing your hormone levels and stimulating the muscle growth and weight loss you want.

I agree with Fiddler. Why risk your health trying to get healthy?

Article describing risk factors:

http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/...

Not the least distressing of which (IMO) being gynecomastia, the permanent development of breasts in men (in other words, plastic surgery the only remedy).

For weight-training, diet and supplement advice you can check out both the INBF

http://www.inbf.net/

and OCB

http://www.theocbwebsite.com/

These are both all-natural bodybuilding organizations. Both sites have links to articles about how to achieve your goals drug-free - useful information even if you are not planning to be a competitive bodybuilder.

One more thought: (sheesh, you'd think I'd remember it all and put it in ONE post, guess the ADD is really kicking in today! - lol)

Several years ago the trainer I was working with took me to a Q&A with Jay Cutler. One audience member asked him what advice he had about supplements. His response:

"Food is your best supplement." He went on to say that diet management was the most effective tool a bodybuilder could use...

...of course, as one can plainly see, he has NOT taken his own advice in this regard, as he is one of the most inhumanly large steroid monsters you will ever see.

A better investment than the drugs, IMO, is working with a good nutritionist. Check out Joe Klemczewski's website:

http://www.thedietdoc.com/

Dr. Joe is a competitive bodybuilder himself and has an incredible scientific understanding of nutrition and metabolism. He offers online nutrition consultation for a fee. You send him weekly pictures and measurements, he tells you how to balance your diet to stay on track with your goals. He works with the general public as well as bodybuilders.

The price may sound a bit steep ($1,000 for a year), but IMO, is a much healthier option and probably less expensive in the long run than the cost of the drugs and the cost of fixing the problems the drugs are likely to cause.

Have I convinced you yet?

peace,
Brian

Please, please, please don't do it. That is if you're talking about steroids outside a true, reliable physician. I've had friends who have taken this route outside a "respected" physician. I can only vouch for the emotional side effects, which were severe. I can only imagine the physiologic side effects. This is not to say there are not seriously medical reasons for steroids. I just ask that you seek out the advice of a reputable physician.

Thank you everyone. I will take any test to see if I need them or if I can take them. I will read those sites. I would not do it without a doc and I will check him out.

I have a question.
What kind of steroids would a dr give to lose weight?
I think of steroids as being what makes you bigger and heavier, not smaller and lighter.
What am I missing here?

IT will add weight but it will be muscle and reduse fat. Also raise sex drive (pardon the pun)

I put it on here to get peoples input and if they have done them. It is not set in stone I am going to do it.