What to do?

[Hellespont]

Hi everyone,

I'd thought I'd make an effort and explain my predicament and hopefully obtain some insight from a few helpful recommendations here.

I've had weight issues since my late teens and basically up to 2002, the heaviest that I have ever been was approximately 130 KG / 286 LBS. In addition to this, I was diagnosed with a permanent medical condition known as "Klinefelter Syndrome" which basically means I have a testosterone deficiency and as such have to take 5mg Testogel satchets every day for the rest of my days due my body unable to produce the stuff.

Between 2003 and 2007 after changing my eating habits mostly and trying to do some exercise in the process, my weight dropped to approximately 115 KG / 253 LBS.

From the latter half of 2008, I began another long journey with the help of my then girlfriend to rid my obesity issue and in May 2011, my best outcome of my weight loss reached 90.5 KG / 199 LBS. Although after some perhaps bad eating habits as well as starting STRENGTH TRAINING in late June 2011, my weight has gone back up to around 97 KG / 213.5 LBS where it has been sitting especially up to this moment.

My exercise regime over the course of that period has been a majority due to bike riding either with a Hybrid MTB and Road Cycling. Since the start, the weight just melted away.

My issue is in three (3) folds, the first (1) is because normal (healthy) men generate a specific amount of testosterone based upon their age that gives them energy, boosts metabolism as well as for various other body functions and especially the toned and muscular appearance when you try to compare to the opposite sex. Since I have to take a daily satchet to replace my deficiency, I am having to eat more and often having some difficulty in controlling my eating habits. I know for most it comes down to discipline but because I am doing STRENGTH training also it creates some pressure.

The second (2), is that I am on a plateau I guess since my overall goal is to lose weight while trying to maintain muscle density; hence for the STRENGTH training, I have been using lower weights and increasing my reps per set. My goal is to get down to around 82 KG / 180 LBS to reach my normal BMI range.

My exercise routine varies week to week, my plan has been to ride 3+ days per week as well as 3+ day home gym; but some times I don't always meet that and other times I might over-ride. I make an effort to at least do both at least twice.

The third (3), is that because of my medical condition, my metabolism is not as efficient as the normal guy; therefore, my ability to lose weight is by far harder than someone that is overweight in the same category as I am but not suffering the same condition. I have been told that people with my condition will have to eat at least double the amount of protein compared to that of a person without this medical condition.

I'll continue with the next post...

[Hellespont]

For those just wondering with regards to my body stats, I made an error with an Android application that showed the incorrect measurement, so its not a total 450 LBS as I was trying to show 204.5 LBS instead.

On a week to week basis during a Monday to Friday commute to work, I ride mostly a Road Bike most of the time averaging now approximately 17 KM / 10.625 Miles each way using a mixture of road and bicycle trails. Each ride takes between 35 and 41 minutes on average days.

//connect.garmin.com/activity/155130005

The above link connects to my commutes, however I have yet to connect the cadence attachment (and pairing it) to the HRM, but I do ride intensely and ride at least 85 to 90+ rpm.

Since I started strength training with my home gym, I have started to do some Kettle bell squats with 3 to 4 sets of 15 using a 12 KG / 26.5 LBS Kettle bell, I do have other kettle bells but this is the only one that is the lightest. I also have a bench press, but I can't use that to do squats because of where it is situated upon an alfresco (wooden polished outdoor deck)

Also:
- bench pressing with 15 reps with 6 sets with a 20 kg weight
- Tricep Dips 4 sets of 15 using a mixture of own body weight and dumbbell / weight vest

I use the edge of the bench or a couple of chairs, as I also do have a power tower but for some reason I don't have enough upper body strength to lift my entire body weight off the ground.

- Calf Leg raises with a 20 kg weight vest and/or a set of 12 kg dumbbells - 4 sets of 30 each

I have started to notice some changes in my upper body physique which is good, but obviously the rest of my problem lies in my stomach, backside and buttocks.

With my eating, I generally aim approximately between 1800 and 2000 calories a day while upping the protein in take because of my medical condition.

In the short conclusion of this present thread, I am looking to incorporate some other exercises other than the above mentioned listed that targets stomach and buttocks region to reshape my body while also maintaining my goal to get down to 82 / 83 KG.