I don't recall if I mentioned it, but as of this past Monday, I started taking a couple new prohormone supplements, along with starting a new workout routine I designed. In addition, I think I've figured out how to correct my major back issue, as I've had it feel like it's 'starting' again a couple times, but have successfully stopped it from becoming serious.
In fact, between the knowledge that my main back issue is almost entirely related to the small muscles around my right hip/leg, and likely a shortened hamstring (both of which I've been consistently working on for the last couple weeks), and having started the new supplements, I feel physically better than I have in several months! Not only have my digestion issues improved (charts show that T12/L1 subluxation/nerve impingement can cause intestinal issues), but my workouts have gone really well! I've been able to push myself to levels that, without the supplements, I've been unable to do for several months (due to being unable to recover from the exertion). And now, when my back feels 'off', I work on my hip/spine with a tennis ball, and have been having really good results from it. I'm standing up much straighter, it doesn't hurt to walk around... I feel like, in another month or so, I may even be able to start running again!? My chiropractor even noticed - said my last adjustment was the best one he can remember in years (although I'm still having mid-thoracic issues).
I'm glad to have figured out (for the most part) the cause of my back issues, but more importantly, I think that the fact that my workout performance and recovery have improved so much since starting the new supps, means that it's likely I have a hormonal deficiency, namely low testosterone. I had my levels tested maybe 15 years ago, and they were on the low end even back then. When I stop the supps (you're only supposed to take them for a max of 8 weeks before taking a 4 week break), I can feel both my energy level, and my ability to recover dropping off, even when taking the recommended PCT supps. I thought that maybe if I waited a few months without taking anything, they might rebound, but in the last 3 months, things just got worse.
In the supplements store I regularly go to, there was a flyer for a tele-health anti-aging 'functional medicine and hormone therapy clinic' that serves all 50 states. This seems like a good opportunity to get my levels evaluated, and possibly get a prescription. It would likely cost much less than the monthly total I spend on the pro-hormones I'm taking now, and would also likely produce better results. The other option I might possibly have is that I know a guy who can get 'off-market' injectables that would allow me to control both what, and how much, I take. Not sure the guy would be willing to hook me up, but if so, that might be a better 1st option, just as a trial run. On the other hand, the tele-health place would at least be 'legitimate' and could monitor my blood chemistry to make sure nothing got out of balance. I'm seriously considering both of those options, because I'm starting to feel the way I think I should always feel, rather than only feeling this good 2-3 times a year (to be fair though, I'm still in daily pain, but it's much improved).
Also, I decided not to buy the fancy cold plunge tub. For less than maybe $800 I can get my current setup to be functional year-round, which then would leave me with a cold tub investment of less than $1100, compared to the almost $6k that the plunge would be (should have been a no-brainer, right?). My setup may look cobbled together, but I'm going to paint the insulated box and get the styrofoam lid professionally covered, which will make it look a lot better. At that point, I should be good to go for quite a while with the health/fitness-related stuff.
Only thing left after that would be to actually find a girlfriend or two. I find it hard to imagine that happening though, as it seems unlikely that *everything* in my life could be going well at the same time, you know? ;-)
7:29 p.m. - 2023-05-07
Recent entries:
Some things more serious than others. - 2023-05-22
I am a (different) rock. - 2023-05-19
Frustrating schedule change. - 2023-05-16
Back improvement on the cycle, PRs, and schedule change. - 2023-05-14
Compliment. - 2023-05-14
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