1. < Prostate Cancer

Muscle loss and muscle building

Posted by ringmastr1 @ringmastr1, Apr 9, 2023

Since starting my ADT treatments in February, I've been concerned about muscle loss due to the lowering of my testosterone. I'm not a body builder by any means but I've always been "thick" and generally strong. Have any of you lost significant muscle mass and have you been able to build up muscle by working out, despite having low testosterone?

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ringmastr1 | @ringmastr1 | Apr 28, 2023
In reply to @proftom2 "Stage IV Prostate Cancer. Age 69, diagnosed age 67. The treatment plan is the big 3..." + (show)
@proftom2

Stage IV Prostate Cancer. Age 69, diagnosed age 67. The treatment plan is the big 3 (Radiation, Chemo, ADT), still on hormone treatments. My recovery is more like a total rebuild. During the first six months of treatment, I was knocked for a loop and bedridden. Too weak to stand. It took about six months to walk safely around the block. Twelve months ago, I hired a wellness coach with experience working with cancer clients. My strength is coming back. Here's my routine: Think nutrition, not diet. Stretchy bands three times per week for 20 mins, swimming three times per week for 30 minutes, walking daily for 30 minutes, tia -chi three days per week. My balance, strength, and attitude have all improved dramatically.

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These details are very helpful. Thank you!

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celia16 | @celia16 | Jun 9 1:33pm

How do you get your muscle mass measured? I work out 5 days per week, walking, elliptical, stairstepper, weights, etc. I have lost weight on purpose, feel strong yet I feel my thighs are too thin. I feel like it’s fat, skin and bone. I’ve never had trim legs. They feel strong though. I feel like I can walk for miles, and I can hop up easily on the equipment in the gym. I lift weights too and my arms have a little definition, but not thighs. Calves look ok.

I have noticed that most cyclists have very lean legs, yet they are strong. Any cyclists around here?

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2 replies
robertmizek | @robertmizek | Jun 9 5:27pm
In reply to @web265 "Common belief is, if you can lift 12 good reps, increase the weight and go back..." + (show)
@web265

Common belief is, if you can lift 12 good reps, increase the weight and go back to 8. When you can do 12 good reps with that weight, increase the weight and go back to 8...rinse and repeat...

There are certainly a lot of other methods / routines people like, such as heavy days / light days weekly routines, but, the first one has always seemed one of the easiest to get started with and do consistently. Maybe while doing that you can research other routines types.

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Im doing 12 reps on all resistance training while on ADT. Time to increase the resistance,

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trusam1 | @trusam1 | Jun 10 3:22pm
In reply to @celia16 "How do you get your muscle mass measured? I work out 5 days per week, walking,..." + (show)
@celia16

How do you get your muscle mass measured? I work out 5 days per week, walking, elliptical, stairstepper, weights, etc. I have lost weight on purpose, feel strong yet I feel my thighs are too thin. I feel like it’s fat, skin and bone. I’ve never had trim legs. They feel strong though. I feel like I can walk for miles, and I can hop up easily on the equipment in the gym. I lift weights too and my arms have a little definition, but not thighs. Calves look ok.

I have noticed that most cyclists have very lean legs, yet they are strong. Any cyclists around here?

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I beg to differ. I follow pro cycling closely, and have been doing triathlons for a quarter century, where the amateurs compete at the same time as the pros. A small number of cyclists do have lean legs. they are know as "climbers". The rest of us have large thighs and butts compared to our overall body.

I'll also point out that having a "normal male" level of testosterone is NOT necessary to build muscle mass, fitness and tone. Go to any gym, and you'll see woman who exemplify that.

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ava11 | @ava11 | Jun 11 10:37am
In reply to @celia16 "How do you get your muscle mass measured? I work out 5 days per week, walking,..." + (show)
@celia16

How do you get your muscle mass measured? I work out 5 days per week, walking, elliptical, stairstepper, weights, etc. I have lost weight on purpose, feel strong yet I feel my thighs are too thin. I feel like it’s fat, skin and bone. I’ve never had trim legs. They feel strong though. I feel like I can walk for miles, and I can hop up easily on the equipment in the gym. I lift weights too and my arms have a little definition, but not thighs. Calves look ok.

I have noticed that most cyclists have very lean legs, yet they are strong. Any cyclists around here?

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Celia16,
You are maintaining good lifestyle at least as far as exercise concerned and you feel strong while under ADT.
Why not get a body composition test on INBODY equipment? It is inexpensive!

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1 reply
celia16 | @celia16 | Jun 11 8:48pm
In reply to @ava11 "Celia16, You are maintaining good lifestyle at least as far as exercise concerned and you feel..." + (show)
@ava11

Celia16,
You are maintaining good lifestyle at least as far as exercise concerned and you feel strong while under ADT.
Why not get a body composition test on INBODY equipment? It is inexpensive!

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That’s a great idea. I wish my gym had one of those. I’ll explore it. Also, I called my former physiotherapist and asked if she could do it. Waiting to hear back. Thanks.

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ava11 | @ava11 | Jun 11 9:16pm

Check urgent care facilities, chiropractor's offices etc., Costa about $20/ Latest machines measures your visceral fat level.
Also checkout Body Pod. UCI Gym in Irvine has one.

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