Weight gain

If you currently regularly exercise, then you’ll have to ramp it up even more (as if you were trying to build a muscular physique or six-pack) to offset the side-effects of the ADT.

You will very likely lose muscle (and strength) while on ADT, but weight gain depends on what you do to counter the change in metabolism that you’ll experience.

(I actually lost about 45 lbs and 3 belt sizes while on ADT.)

In this 2023 paper, they fully describe a study and the rigorous resistance-training program that they used and the outcome: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2023/04000/resistance_exercise_training_increases_muscle_mass.2.aspx

We often hear about the physical benefits of exercise to minimize the side-effects of hormone therapy (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YE61HSAsFb0).

Yes, weight management will be more of a challenge on ADT — maybe much more. Your body will metabolise food less efficiently, and you'll feel less like exercising, especially at first. There's a good chance you'll also develop more breast tissue (men already have some, but it isn't as prominent).

For food, avoid fad diets and just eat moderate portions with a lot of variety. Your grandparents' generation's rule to cover 1/2 of your plate with vegetables, 1/4 with a starch like potatoes or brown rice, and 1/4 with a high-protein source still works fine. Calcium and vitamin D supplements are strongly recommended in many credible sources to reduce bone-density loss.

For exercise, the important thing is to keep moving: if you used to run 10K, try walking 5K. If you used to walk 5K and can't now, walk 2K. If you used to bench press 100lb, try 50lb, or 40lb, or whatever, but just keep moving (except when you need a full recovery day; those will happen). Eventually, if you stick with it, things can start to improve. Compared to the treatments for many other kinds of cancer, ADT for prostate cancer isn't really all that bad.

Thank you, wow no sugar coating about that I think I need a home gym for the days that I can’t go out, may I ask how did you managed to loose 45 lbs? I can use all the tips I can get
Zzotte

Thank you, that’s my plan I notice sometime even before starting the treatment I feel down but with 3 dogs I don’t stay down too long

Zzotte

Diet and exercise. I’ve always been (what they call) a meat and potatoes kind of guy. And after decades of being athletic, but not so much anymore - but still maintaining the same caloric intake - has packed on the pounds.

My urologist told me that no matter which treatment I chose - surgery or radiation - the outcome would likely be better if I lost some weight. With that goal in mind……

Diet —> They say that a heart-healthy diet is a prostate-healthy diet.
> I decreased red meats, increased fish, salads, added more fruits, vegetables, and grains/nuts, cut out soft drinks, cut back on processed foods, and made other tweaks here and there.
> I also added a protein/fruit smoothie every morning, and a protein bar & two energy bars every day. (I think that was helpful in sustaining energy and endurance during the months of low-testosterone.)

Exercise —> I also ramped-up my weightlifting and cardio programs (both jogging and swimming). That was necessary for maintain my muscle tone, strength, cardio.

> Every day beginning a month prior to my first Eligard injection, and immediately following each of my 28 radiation sessions, through my 2nd (& final) Eligard injection, and until my testosterone returned to normal, I hit the gym 6 days/week. I mostly did multi-joint exercises that utilize the body’s largest muscle groups: squat, deadlift, bench press, row, overhead press, and lat pulldown, for 1-1/2 hours each day. On alternating days, I would add some cardio - either jog 3-4 miles or swim 35-45 minutes.

On the 7th day I rested….. All things considered, I got through the hormone therapy well.

ADT has significant metabolic effects, and it takes a lot to counter that - resistance-training exercise has been demonstrated to counter many of those side-effects. Otherwise the weight will certain pack on, and all the other ADT side-effects you read about will manifest themselves.

I found that for me, the weight gain is dependent on me. I get on the scale every morning and eat based on what I weigh. I always eat breakfast, but I will skip lunch if I’m a little heavy.

I am 6’4” and like to weigh 189. I’ve been able to stay at that weight for about 25 years. Right now, I’m about 2 pounds above it, Driving me nuts, trying to lose those 2 pounds. On ADT for 8 years and never had a weight gain issue. If you get the munchies, find yourself something with almost no calories that you can eat.

I never had a belly before ADT but taking ADT causes your muscles to deteriorate and one of the main muscles it hits is the stomach muscle so that’s where the belly comes from, Not from eating more, it’s from losing muscular control.

Thank you that sounds like a good plan for me too
Zzotte

6’4” 189 that’s pretty fit in my book, I must get into a serious program I will probably get some really good basics and build from there

Thanks
Zzotte

If you are also on abiraterone, the prednisone you take with it may be a contributing factor. I gained 11 lbs. in the past year, most of it in my stomach and male boobs…

Oh no, no male boobs, my wife already said if my is bigger then hers I’m in trouble lol
Zzotte