TRT Helped Me Get in the Best Shape of My Life at 57
- By Scott Rivers
- As told to Austin Letorney
- Medically Reviewed by James Staheli, D.O.
- December 13, 2023
In 2018, I celebrated my fifteenth year as a part-time engineer in emergency services. The days were long and demanding: A typical 12-hour shift required lifting 100 pounds of gear and quickly driving emergency vehicles to accidents. But I loved the work.
But that year, as I turned 53, I started to develop intense fatigue that made these tasks nearly impossible.
I was passionate about the work, though, so I made the difficult decision to leave my other job; an 80-hour a week position as the dean at a local community college. I thought leaving the high-stress position, coupled with cutting back on processed foods and eating more protein , would increase my energy. But it didn’t. I felt like I was running on fumes.
Under a cloud of extreme exhaustion, my commitment to eating well slipped. I ate less protein and more candy and Coca-Cola. I was on a first name basis with drive-thru employees of three fast food chains.
Within a few months I was at my highest weight ever—285 pounds. I couldn’t mow the lawn or detail my car without being completely gassed.
KNOW YOUR T
Trying to Change
I went to my primary care doctor and told him how I felt. He checked my cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels, but the results were all normal. He advised me to drop weight.
I started by limiting carbs from my diet and putting the focus back on protein and veggies. I scaled back on fast food, too. I started to walk a mile every day.
I followed this routine for three years and lost 25 pounds. But I still struggled to keep up with my younger co-workers.
I had my retirement papers signed and ready to hand into the retirement office.
Checking your T levels is easy with Hone’s at-home assessment. You can knock it out before your AM coffee.
If you have low T, our physicians can help you find your “after.”
I Knew This Wasn’t Just Age
One night, I stumbled on an ad for Hone and started comparing the symptoms of low testosterone to my own. Nine out of the 10 symptoms—including fatigue, irritability, and trouble sleeping—matched my experience. After some personal research into low T and Hone, I thought an assessment couldn’t hurt.
My levels were in the low 100’s ng/dL, which was well below what it should be for a man my age. My doctor prescribed TRT.
Within the first month, I noticed a gradual change—I wasn’t as tired all the time. As the fatigue started to disappear I was reinvigorated at work. I found it easier to lug gear and drive my co-workers to emergencies.
Even better, I was motivated to recommit to my healthy lifestyle changes.
I completely cut out fast food and focused solely on a higher protein and vegetable diet. I bumped my daily walks to six miles a day.
Within a year I lost an additional 60 pounds.
At 57, I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m doing what I love and feel completely reinvigorated.
