04-08-2015, 10:16 AM
Hi Dianna
I agree, from my own research it does look as though strength reduces before the muscle mass. This seems especially the case with HRT. And yes, I did notice "if". That really would be a regrettable throw of the dice.
There is one rider though, it is easier to maintain strength than build it up in the first place. A well thought out programme focusing on muscle tone rather than size, and most especially FITNESS, can be very effective with maintaining strength. Which considering that we are starting at a much higher level than a GG should give us a substantial advantage. There are many examples of people on this and other forums who have reported good results by doing this. Keep lifting that tool box! Or take a couple of spanners out ;-)
I cannot give you the science behind it, but I also agree that men and women seem to metabolise exercise differently. And I don't think it is just the testosterone/oestrogen balance, I am sure there is more going on. Clearer, better educated minds than mine could probably explain what that is.
I also agree regarding DHT. I have very recently shifted my own focus towards DHT and I have already noticed a step change in effect. Still too early to quantify but it does seem to agree with others experiences that testosterone isn't the big baddy it used to be thought of. But isn't this part of what we are trying to learn here?
I can only speak personally, and perhaps I have become a little older in my attitude that I realised. I have spent my entire adult life living in a body which even by other men's standards is strong an I do genuinely appreciate the advantages that has given me. And I will admit that when I was younger I did play into that quite a bit. But I have also realised that the ability to heft large rocks is not what defines me. Strength comes in many forms and if/when I find I have to work a little harder to get things done, then so be it. I have come to accept that my days of cow hurling is probably over. Considering the level of strength I still have I would not be surprised if that does reduce quite noticeably (I have more to loose I guess), but even at the extreme end of that possible swing, I have to assume that I would still be at the strong end of the female range of strength? And funnily enough, they seem to cope ok?
Does that suck? I don't know? For some maybe. For me it is more of a choice. Or perhaps that's my male brain breaking things down into binary logic. The only problem with that is emotions are not logical. And this forum is a lot more about emotions than I suspect most of us really want to admit.
I agree, from my own research it does look as though strength reduces before the muscle mass. This seems especially the case with HRT. And yes, I did notice "if". That really would be a regrettable throw of the dice.
There is one rider though, it is easier to maintain strength than build it up in the first place. A well thought out programme focusing on muscle tone rather than size, and most especially FITNESS, can be very effective with maintaining strength. Which considering that we are starting at a much higher level than a GG should give us a substantial advantage. There are many examples of people on this and other forums who have reported good results by doing this. Keep lifting that tool box! Or take a couple of spanners out ;-)
I cannot give you the science behind it, but I also agree that men and women seem to metabolise exercise differently. And I don't think it is just the testosterone/oestrogen balance, I am sure there is more going on. Clearer, better educated minds than mine could probably explain what that is.
I also agree regarding DHT. I have very recently shifted my own focus towards DHT and I have already noticed a step change in effect. Still too early to quantify but it does seem to agree with others experiences that testosterone isn't the big baddy it used to be thought of. But isn't this part of what we are trying to learn here?
I can only speak personally, and perhaps I have become a little older in my attitude that I realised. I have spent my entire adult life living in a body which even by other men's standards is strong an I do genuinely appreciate the advantages that has given me. And I will admit that when I was younger I did play into that quite a bit. But I have also realised that the ability to heft large rocks is not what defines me. Strength comes in many forms and if/when I find I have to work a little harder to get things done, then so be it. I have come to accept that my days of cow hurling is probably over. Considering the level of strength I still have I would not be surprised if that does reduce quite noticeably (I have more to loose I guess), but even at the extreme end of that possible swing, I have to assume that I would still be at the strong end of the female range of strength? And funnily enough, they seem to cope ok?
Does that suck? I don't know? For some maybe. For me it is more of a choice. Or perhaps that's my male brain breaking things down into binary logic. The only problem with that is emotions are not logical. And this forum is a lot more about emotions than I suspect most of us really want to admit.