Weight training and steroids

[Bub]

Several threads have discussed various aspects of weight training. I believe that weight training is an important part of a healthy life style. This article discusses the use of steroids and kidney damage in bodybuilding.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/sports/10steroids.html?ref=sports
While I like weight training, I have never used steroids and have the body to prove it.
I have wondered though if smaller doses of steroids can slow the aging process.
Bub

 

[kilted1]

Not being a doctor (or even playing one on TV) I'd suspect it would have to depend on many other factors, and what steroid and at what dosage. I've never really understood the desire for 'enhancement' in an otherwise healthy human.

If however there is a medical need steroids carefully controlled can be very beneficial, to which I can attest from personal experience. Following two surgeries to reconstruct my left thumb after a working accident, I can attest to the curative powers of cortisone injections in a nearly 'frozen' knuckle. While not 100% of it's former self, carefully monitored injections for about 14 months have given me about 85-90% of my former function and range of motion, which was about 40% immediately after surgery and physical therapy. The affected joint is mostly pain free which itself is miraculous!

When researching steroids for my own interest about them, I came across many horror stories about former Russian and East Block athletes and their tragic lives, being administered steroids at very dangerous levels, sometimes without their knowledge or consent. It seems to me that in many cases, systemic steroid use actually serves to shorten life, or end up being debilitating.

I would research it thoroughly and consult a physician or 6 before trying even over the counter products ... your 'buddy at the gym' with a gym bag full of weight gain and 'muscle blast' products ain't going to know jack squat. But he will swear up and down he knows ALL there is to know ...

 

[Anonymous]

Most of us amatuer bodybuilders are against steroids. Our thing is just what the name implies trying to build our bodies or at least improve them.

I have heard guys that do competitions talk about how you cannot compete without it, but for amatuers, it's about improving ourselves.

 

[Puff Daddy]

I've never really understood the desire for 'enhancement' in an otherwise healthy human.

Well, once I went from 280 to 235 and noticed a lot more ladies giving me the stare, I understood the desire. I haven't used any steroids but do use a lot of protein, amino acids, creatine and omega 3's. All natural components needed to build muscle but lacking in sufficient quantities in the normal American diet. Result? A lot more and a lot quicker muscle growth than when I was weight training without these 15 years ago. Back then I only got stronger, now I'm stronger, thinner and bigger. To tell the truth I began all of this because of a difficult rehab to a shoulder surgery, and on doctors orders. I kept at it after the initial weight loss and shaping up because 1) I was looking and feeling really good and 2) I was getting a lot of looks from women who wouldn't have looked twice at my fat ass before. Got to be honest, it's a motivator I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. Natures way, I suppose...

Interestingly enough, the super amped up steroid monsters at the gym (yep, it's totally obvious) get less looks from the ladies, they sort of look like circus freaks :lol: Most of the hotties at the gym don't pay them any attention, so I can't comment on what could possibly motivate those guys, it sure isn't the ladies. Maybe it's just each other :lol:

 

[LL]

Well, once I went from 280 to 235 and noticed a lot more ladies giving me the stare, I understood the desire. I haven't used any steroids but I have become a fan of implants.

Hey, PD... I found your old dating site video! 8) Damned if you weren't a babe magnet! You learned Portuguese to better woo 'em with, too, I see. Very impressive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNX_lE_Wm1s

 

[jhuggett]

Are those implants? :scratch:

 

[LL]

Are those implants? :scratch:

It certainly looks like it. Day-yum. Silicone ain't just for ****ies anymore. (I hope nothing bad happens after the one minute mark in that vid, btw... my brain started melting so I had to shut it off.)

 

[kilted1]

I understand the desire to stay in good shape, even gain a moderate amount of mass, most competition body builders just look like complete sideshow freaks to me. What ever happened to symmetry?

 

[jhuggett]

That's why I thought they had to be implants because I didn't think you could get that far out of symmetry. He looks deformed, like Popeye but on his chest not his forearms.

 

[Anonymous]

I've never really understood the desire for 'enhancement' in an otherwise healthy human.

Well, once I went from 280 to 235 and noticed a lot more ladies giving me the stare, I understood the desire. I haven't used any steroids but do use a lot of protein, amino acids, creatine and omega 3's. All natural components needed to build muscle but lacking in sufficient quantities in the normal American diet. Result? A lot more and a lot quicker muscle growth than when I was weight training without these 15 years ago. Back then I only got stronger, now I'm stronger, thinner and bigger. To tell the truth I began all of this because of a difficult rehab to a shoulder surgery, and on doctors orders. I kept at it after the initial weight loss and shaping up because 1) I was looking and feeling really good and 2) I was getting a lot of looks from women who wouldn't have looked twice at my fat ass before. Got to be honest, it's a motivator I'd be lying if I said it wasn't. Natures way, I suppose...

Interestingly enough, the super amped up steroid monsters at the gym (yep, it's totally obvious) get less looks from the ladies, they sort of look like circus freaks :lol: Most of the hotties at the gym don't pay them any attention, so I can't comment on what could possibly motivate those guys, it sure isn't the ladies. Maybe it's just each other :lol:

Puff, the stuff you mention is supplimentation. Americans are the most overfed, undernourished people. And you're absolutely right. Unless you eat fish every day (which I do), you do not get the Omega 3 fatty acids that your body needs.

I take all you mentioned and am about to start taking BCAA's. Like I mentioned in the protein discussion, I consider much of these ( with the exception of wonderful creatine) food.

The thing about body building is that it's addictive. I see my biceps growing and I want to make sure my tri's keep up. I see my quad growing, and want my hammies to match. I don't intend to be the incredible Hulk, just the INCREDIBLE HANK.

 

[Puff Daddy]

Hey, PD... I found your old dating site video!

:lol!: Damn! Ya found me out George! :lol:

It's been pretty amazing really, you would hardly recognize me. The wrestler physique has turned into a quarterback build in 7 months. I'm really amazed at how quickly this has happened. I've worked a hell of a lot harder in the past without nearly as much success, and I'm over 45 years old which would make you think that progress would be a lot slower than when I was doing this at 30. I'm a firm believer now, diet makes the exercise work. Without the right diet, it's a ridiculously tough road.

 

[LL]

Hey, PD... I found your old dating site video!

:lol!: Damn! Ya found me out George! :lol:

It's been pretty amazing really, you would hardly recognize me. The wrestler physique has turned into a quarterback build in 7 months. I'm really amazed at how quickly this has happened. I've worked a hell of a lot harder in the past without nearly as much success, and I'm over 45 years old which would make you think that progress would be a lot slower than when I was doing this at 30. I'm a firm believer now, diet makes the exercise work. Without the right diet, it's a ridiculously tough road.

Ah! So it's something recent, then? I thought you were talking about the Good Ol' Days.

Wrestler physique, indeed. Pushing 300 lbs and none of it fluffy. (I felt sorry for the concrete)

Your heart will definitely appreciate the lower blood volume & etc needed to support a smaller body, never mind the exercise itself. As for diet, yup. It's not only half the equation, but the more essential half. Good on you, bro. Every human on the planet tries working out, but only a handful make it to the seven month mark.

 

[Puff Daddy]

Puff, the stuff you mention is supplementation.

You're right, but I take it as food, or instead of food, rather than "with" food. The protein powder has all the amino acids in it already (MetRX plus) and I'm taking that 2 or 3 times a day in place of one of the 6 small daily meals. So, I see it as ultra refined and specific fuel - slash - food, as I don't eat anything else with it since I'm trying to drop rather than gain weight with it. The whole need for it is to get the protein grams-per-day up over 180, and then of course there's the drastic lowering of carbohydrates to the point where basically they only come from fruits and vegetables, almost no bread products. I think that balance, along with a good multi vitamin, the omega 3's and the added creatine, is the secret to the proper fuel/blood chemistry needed to do this in a healthy way.

Although I do see myself as a weight trainer (so to speak), I don't see myself as a body builder per se as I'm focused on an overall fitness transformation with no goals of specific size gains. When I do get to that plateau where I'm at a very good BMI and the physique is at that clean and lean point where it naturally gets without drastic weight training increases, I'm staying right there.

 

[Puff Daddy]

Ah! So it's something recent, then? I thought you were talking about the Good Ol' Days.

Wrestler physique, indeed. Pushing 300 lbs and none of it fluffy. (I felt sorry for the concrete)

Oh believe me, there was plenty of fluff there around the middle!

Yep, it's all recent. A mid life change brought on by necessity. Had the two shoulder surgeries in december and march of last year. After all the rehab doc said get fit, lose weight, remake yourself or face permanent disability and probable career loss. That was all the motivation I needed. They also said I'd probably never play golf again (arm won't go there, so sorry). Well, even though I was only mildly interested in playing golf my immediate attitude was "Oh yeah? We'll see about that". So it was on. I was going not only play golf but play it well, and get in the best shape of my life. Well, half way there on both :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Diet does indeed make the program. I find they go hand in hand. I have my nutrition under control. Basically, it's hard to put crap in my body after an intense, gratifying work out. I haven't done more than take a week's rest after a cycle since March. But, I do have more trouble with diet and nutrition when I don't exercise.

This is a commitment. What makes me (us) who I (we) are is working out when you don't feel like it. Every body can work out when it feels right, but dragging your ass to the gym after an 11 hour day on your feet is what makes the man. Monday is a tough day for me: I worked from 7:30 to 6:40, went immediately to the gym and worked out til it closed at 9 (thinking I wasn't going to be able to get in there Tuesday and today).

I also don't beat myself up if I can't make it. In the past, I would get down on myself if I had to miss, taking the "F this attitude". Now If I can only make it 3 times a week, I adjust to target every part.

Puff , I hear what you're saying about meal replacement especially a guy my size. However, if I skip a meal, I can't lift like I want at the end of the day. I consider my meals and snacks pre-workout maintence for optimal lifting.

I am working with two nutrionist/dieticians, and this is what I'm on right now:

6:30 protein hydro isolate shake
8ish 2 cups of Fiber One (was doing Special K but too much carbs for a big guy like me)
10ish protein isolate shake
11:30ish yogurt
1 pm Tuna sandwich
Protein shake after work out
Dinner about 30 min after protein shake


Even though I don't track my progress with a scale, I just bought a fat man scale (goes higher than those you guys use). Also, I'm not on a weight loss program. What I'm doing is muscle for fat displacement. Quite frankly, I know how to drop 20 pounds really quick. Basically give up weights for two weeks and replace with 48 minutes of cardio. That's just not what I want to do.

I am suppose to be cutting/bulking, but I enjoy bulking much more and spend most of my time doing this. I have a huge bicep 17 and a half, up from 12 inches about 3 years ago with no defition because I've done all bulking. One day I'll get smart and cut it, but looking pretty isn't a big concern for me.

The bodybuilders at my gym take the philosophy that direct arm work is unimportant; they say arms look pretty but it's your core that is important. I like to target bi's and tri's directly once a week.

 

[Anonymous]

y'all done jinxed me. I finally saw evidence of steroids yesterday. I gotta say, even if I wanted to, they are way too expensive.