I Lost 100 Pounds and 5 Shirt Sizes With TRT

As a former defensive lineman (I played college football and professionally overseas), I’ve always been on the bigger, more muscular side. At the peak of my athletic game, I was 5’8” and 210 pounds. But when I turned 45, my weight started to creep up.

In the span of a few months I put on 25 pounds. I tried to exercise it off but my energy was so low that my workouts lacked intensity.

Over the next few years my weight continued to climb. When I hit 250 pounds, I had to start shopping at DXL, my local big and tall store. Buying larger and larger clothes was depressing—and expensive.

By the time I turned 50, I weighed 285 pounds. I coach football at Cabrillo College in California and jogging from one end of the field to the other left me winded. I figured that I was just getting older.

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I Couldn’t Stop Gaining

When the pandemic hit, the college shut down. My routine abruptly stopped. I had more time on my hands but lacked the energy to do any kind of physical activity.

Instead, I ate constantly. I’d park myself in front of the TV and binge-watch Netflix while snacking on chips, soda, and frozen pizzas.

There was a DoorDash delivery guy at our house 6 nights a week and my portion control went out the window. Not only would I order two full meals some nights, but I started drinking almost every night—4 or 5 glasses of wine was my new norm.

By June 2021, I tipped the scale at 315.

In an effort to lose weight, my wife and I took daily mile-long walks on the beach. By the time I got back and climbed the 40-steps up to my front door, I was so tired I had to lie down for an hour to recover.

From 3XL to Medium

In the Fall of 2021, I knew I needed to change. My weight was out of hand, I was concerned for my health, and was tired of being depressed. I researched things that can make men gain weight with age and one article mentioned low testosterone.

It was an ah-ha moment.

Diving into low T further, I stumbled on an ad for Hone Health.

I was skeptical at first and wondered if I could trust what I read online. Hone felt too good to be true. The more I read about Hone’s at-home test and online physician consultation, I realized it was my best option. I ordered a test and signed up for the Hone Community, an online hub for customers to connect, ask questions, and support each other through treatment. It was exactly what I needed.

Many of the guys were talking about weight gain and how TRT helped them lose it.

After reading stories from other men with low testosterone, I was comfortable sending in my test. When my levels came back at 313 ng/dL, my doctor prescribed TRT.

Within the first month, I lost 15 pounds and felt like a new person. I started working out with a personal trainer and wasn’t winded by the workouts.

I’ve now been on TRT for close to a year. I’ve lost 110 pounds and work out every day. I have more muscle definition, especially in my arms and shoulders.

The last time I went to the store (Kohls, not DXL!) I bought a medium shirt.

Running down the football field is effortless again and I’m back doing drills with my team. I run circles around my 19 and 20-year old athletes and feel like I can suit up and play every practice.

Now that I’m at a healthy weight again, I’m a better coach and husband. I feel as strong as I did when I was playing college ball.

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About the author

Eric Gerlach is a Hone Health customer.

About the reviewer

James R. Staheli, D.O., is the Medical Director for Broad Health, Hone Health’s affiliated medical practice and a family medicine doctor in Atlanta, Georgia.