Working toward physique competition, working out while on TRT and recent DEXA scan

[Mad City Dad]

Hello everyone,

So I joined this forum a few months ago and have learned so very much by reading hundreds, if not thousands of posts. Since starting TRT I have been able to regain the motivation to go to the gym and to see real results. I workout 5 days a week (Mon, Tues, Wed, rest Thurs, Fri, Sat, rest Sun) lifting weights, and swim 2 miles every Tues and Thurs evening on a masters swim team. I have hired a personal trainer as well, and workout with him in the gym twice a week. I have put on quite a bit of muscle over the past few months. I started at 159 lbs, and probably about 20% body fat. I am 5'8". Today I weigh 177. My trainer suggested I get an accurate body composition analysis as a way of having a better reference point as we begin our training together.

I am fortunate to live by a world class university with a state of the art exercise science center. Today I underwent a DEXA scan body composition analysis. My results showed me to be 11.6% body fat and 177lbs. I was very pleased to learn these results, as even my trainer was guessing me at 13-14%.

I know I could have never made such great progress with the low T levels I was walking around with. I have always been physically active, and in fact I did 3 triathlons last year. But I was always in a state of fatigue and anorexia, really. My average weight last year was between 145-147. Yes, that's right, I have gained 30 lbs since then, but managed to drop my body fat.

I have a bucket list item to compete in a masters (did I say I was 55?) physique competition next summer. My trainer and I are still working on what my on stage weight might be but I am hoping for 180 and 8% BF.

I will keep you all posted with my progress. I appreciate any advice or support you all could give. Thanks!
Steve

PS
I have uploaded a pic I took of myself yesterday as a way of showing you all my "starting" point on this journey. It is with a bit of trepidation, but thought, "what the heck, I better be able to handle some criticism and feedback if I'm going to compete in physique", right??

 

[CPTWilly]

Wow, Steve, much respect. I admire you for chasing your goals. Best wishes for you!

 

[Vince]

Congratulations, your physique looks awesome.

 

[Mad City Dad]

Thanks, Vince. Got a ways to go, but I am happy with the initial progress.
Steve

 

[Mad City Dad]

Update on bodybuilding while on TRT

Wanted to check in and give an update to this thread. I am feeling GREAT on the TRT and think I am what you all call "dialed in" with my TRT. My last blood work at 6 months mark showed my testosterone level to be 980 on 160mg of testosterone weekly (divided in two doses). My H/H were borderline high, but other than that, all is good.

I continue to train with a coach at the gym, working out 5 days a week. I am still making some great gains, bench press is up to 240#, squats up to 260# and deadlift at 280#. I have also put on another 7 lbs, and now weigh 184. I think my body fat is still about 11%, maybe even a tad lower (can see my abs for the first time in years). I am attaching a few pics showing the recent gainz.

Question for all of you: Do you know which bodybuilding organizations allow TRT? I know some do, and most don't. I'm having a hard time finding details. I still have the goal of competing in masters physique come next summer or fall. Thanks!

 

[Starplex]

ANBF Does, with a doctors letter and a polygraph.

http://www.anbfnatural.com/mag/

 

[Mad City Dad]

Thank you Starplex. I will look into that one.

 

[Mad City Dad]

Hey folks,
Its been quite a while since I updated you all on my physique competition progress. I started a 30 week prep 28 weeks ago (yup, got 2 weeks to go before I hit the stage for the very first time in my life!). Here are some pictures I took yesterday that show my progress. Will be getting another DXA scan in about 10 days. Thinking my bodyfat will be down to about 6% by that time. Has been an incredible journey. Putting on muscle AND losing bodyfat at the same time. Thanks!
Steve
PS I started TRT about 15 months ago and am very "dialed in". Current dosage is 160mg/week, split into 80mg twice weekly injections. HCG 400mcg twice a week.

 

[Vince]

It would be interesting to see your labs. It's great that you're getting so good of results.

 

[Nashtide]

Hey folks,
Its been quite a while since I updated you all on my physique competition progress. I started a 30 week prep 28 weeks ago (yup, got 2 weeks to go before I hit the stage for the very first time in my life!). Here are some pictures I took yesterday that show my progress. Will be getting another DXA scan in about 10 days. Thinking my bodyfat will be down to about 6% by that time. Has been an incredible journey. Putting on muscle AND losing bodyfat at the same time. Thanks!
Steve
PS I started TRT about 15 months ago and am very "dialed in". Current dosage is 160mg/week, split into 80mg twice weekly injections. HCG 400mcg twice a week.

You look fantastic! Best of luck and let us know how you finish. Also, include legs in the next pics. The only possible critique (and this is stretching it) I would try to bring your pecs up a tad. Again, this is nitpicking at its highest level.