TRT Helped Me Lose Fat and Gain Muscle at the Same Time
- By Benjamin Maynard
- AS TOLD TO REBEKAH HARDING
- January 18, 2024
I
n January 2023, I was on a high. I just returned from an incredible vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where I’d spent the days boating, enjoying the sun, and relaxing on the white sand beaches. But my post-vacation euphoria ended when I saw myself in the trip photos.
I was in terrible shape. At 39 years old, I was 235 pounds and my body fat was at 27.4 percent.
Editor’s Note: The recommended body fat percentage for a physically active man my age is 7.3 to 21.6 percent, according to American College of Sports Medicine (1).
How I felt about my body was just part of my struggle. I was depressed and sluggish. I felt like I had no purpose, and I was extremely irritable. To cope, I turned to alcohol and comfort food. I was going out six days a week. My sleep apnea became more severe, and I had trouble falling and staying asleep.
Testing My T Levels
I had heard from a friend that my hormone levels could be the cause of my lethargy and irritability. My primary care physician had previously tested my levels, but my numbers were slightly too high to qualify for treatment through my insurance.
I decided to test my testosterone levels again through Hone just before my vacation for a second opinion. I found out my total testosterone was just 273 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL).
Editor’s Note: While 252–916 ng/dL is considered a normal testosterone range for a 40-year-old man, TRT may be recommended to those who experience symptoms of hypogonadism—including fatigue, low energy, and muscle loss (2).
Even though my Hone physician told me I qualified for testosterone replacement therapy, I was hesitant to start. My husband is in grad school, so the cost of treatment made me reluctant to dive in. I put TRT on the back burner, and decided to start my fitness journey without hormone therapy.
TRT Helped Me Lose Weight and Gain Muscle
In March 2023, I went all in. I didn’t just want to lose weight, I wanted to gain muscle, too. Instead of focusing solely on weight loss measures like doing cardio and eating at a caloric deficit, I upped my protein intake to 190 grams per day and did strength training with a trainer four days a week.
By June, I lost around 20 pounds. But I just couldn’t shake my low energy and sleep problems, which were affecting my motivation. So, with a bit of encouragement from a friend who saw me struggling, I decided to retest my hormones with Hone and start TRT.
My Hone physician said I was doing all the right things, but my T levels only clocked in at 367 ng/dL, which isn’t optimal for my age. To get my hormones into the normal range, and improve my energy, I’d need TRT. I was prescribed subcutaneous injections twice a week, with anastrozole to keep my estrogen levels in check.
In just three weeks, I felt more motivated to stick to my workout and diet. And, I was less irritable. I stopped feeling FOMO when I decide to skip nights of drinking with my friends.
Three months into treatment, my testosterone levels shot up to 1,178 ng/dL. The muscles in my shoulders bulked up and rounded out—a physique that can take even the most committed gym-goers years to achieve. My stubborn belly fat practically melted away, revealing a solid four-pack.
Now seven months into treatment, I am around 190 pounds and have 9.4 percent body fat. I have a renewed sense of purpose, and I hit the gym six days a week. I’m so close to my goal of getting a six pack.
Don’t Procrastinate
I always dreamed of this body—and I can honestly say I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
But I never thought it was going to be possible for me to achieve. I used to procrastinate making changes, saying, “Oh, tomorrow. Oh, next week. Oh, next year.” And then, with a little encouragement, I finally made it happen.
Hone’s at-home testosterone assessment is the simplest way to uncover whether your levels are low. If you qualify for treatment, TRT can be sent right to your door.
References
1. American College of Sports Medicine. Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription.
2. Barrett-Connor (2005). Male testosterone: what is normal?
