Men’s Health and Performance

[Milo'sSyndicate]

Dang whipper snappers, just remember ONE thing; No matter what the "Doctor" tells you , Foster's IS a food group!

From in/out of the squad in a 10-12 hr shift, full kit, you know: a trim flexibility = hard to kill. Throw some warrior pose yoga in there for your hips/shoulders/trunk flex.

Vitamix; Into the vitamix blender goes;
1 scoop AG1
1 scoop Jocko's Protein powder
Open supplement caps, powders into mix;
Wylde's Turmeric with ginger
NMN+
Quercetin
AG1 Omega oil
....and whatever else you have for a powder supplement, + add your fruit of choice with 2 of the AG1 shaker bottles of cold water.

Drive on whipper snappers!

 

[Jake wade]

@Rob Thompson thats an amazing story. You’re clearly not a quitter.

@Jake wade strict carnivore. Just meat and some dairy. I won’t even eat things like ribs if they have a dry rub with brown sugar and definitely zero sauces.

I need to get back to it. Appreciate this thread.

Would be curious of any supplements in this group. I’m take fish oil, magnesium daily but otherwise that’s it.

 

[spalind]

OK, in another thread of "habits" I had made some comments about various things but I'll build upon them here.

About 3 years ago on the Highline Trail in Glacier I got to the end of it and realized I was lagging behind my teens and not where I wanted to be for the second half of my life. Started lifting, running, etc. Minimal progress followed. Noticed my heart skipping beats about 7 months ago...turns out completely normal but it sent me down a route that made me realize my Dr.'s over the past 25 years were complete quacks and had no interest in actually improving my health and true wellness. Also had heart calcium test and saw that while "OK" it was still worse than an average male my age (mind you I was 6'2" max of 225 so not grossly deviant). Once I took personal control of my health, things improved rapidly. I more or less started by turning everything over to AI and telling it to model its recommendations and guidelines off of "experts" I aligned with. Had to drastically drop sugar and alcohol to near zero and focus on certain running and lifting and protein protocols. Dropped 30+ pounds in a matter of 2.5 months and it has stayed off while I'm now at a sub 8 minute mile while squats, bench, all measurables are at PR levels I couldn't come close to as a 25 YO...and no...I'm not on test. Supplements are the usual--creatine, protein powder, krill oil pills, fiber, collagen, magnesium, D3+K2, etc. Sauna and cold showers, 3 lifting and 3 cardio days a week minimum, planks every day, NSDR in the afternoon, putting screens down early, 8+ hours of sleep, etc. The alcohol nagged at me on Friday and Saturday nights for a few weeks (never drank on work days) but that's long gone. Using a smartwatch I can see the direct impact (I love data) on everything I do--from a bourbon, neat (suppresses HRV instantly) to workout stress, heartrate, sleep quality, etc. I feed it all including my medical results (dexafit, bloodwork, etc.) into AI and it sounds creepy and lunatic like but whatever...it works.

 

[D.T.]

I need to get back to it. Appreciate this thread.

Would be curious of any supplements in this group. I’m take fish oil, magnesium daily but otherwise that’s it.

Magnesium, creatine, and 10X Optimize Multivitamins. Have not had any kind of sickness hit me since I’ve started taking these.

Can’t stress exercise enough. Even walking 7K steps per day will do wonders for you.

 

[Milo'sSyndicate]

OK, in another thread of "habits" I had made some comments about various things but I'll build upon them here.

Had to drastically drop sugar and alcohol to near zero and focus on certain running and lifting and protein protocols. Dropped 30+ pounds in a matter of 2.5 months and it has stayed off while I'm now at a sub 8 minute mile while squats, bench, all measurables are at PR levels I couldn't come close to as a 25 YO...and no...I'm not on test.

Amen, congrats. I think we Rogues have had a drinking lifestyle, above normal. IMHO, it takes a bit of a quit/reset mentality, let's the liver catch up to process the other things our bodies needed to get done besides that second bottle of beautiful red!

 

[Steven Donovan]

This is a very good thread, and important.

My 2 cents, and just what I try and do...

-I stick with a pretty simple easy to follow path. If the food doesn't directly come from the ground or directly from an animal, I do my best not to eat it. I only buy veggies, eggs, and pork/steak. Basically, I stay away from processed.
-When I am full, I don't force myself to eat too much (I know it sounds simple)
-Minimize fast food (this is a big one)
-Absolutely no full-sugar soda. If I drink soda, zero sugar only (this has done wonders... soda is worse than alcohol in many ways)
-Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. I try to get at least 8 hours a day
-This might make my example a bit different from this group... I don't really drink alcohol at all and never really have–my overall alcohol intake is near zero. I am not dry per se... I will still drink a whiskey to be social, and I do enjoy it (and I don't judge others)... but I never buy alcohol on my own or keep it in the fridge. Frankly, this might be something that has helped me stay on the healthier path.

Stress. Stress is probably the number 1 killer of men and leads to many of the issues men die from, especially heart related issues. If you can control your inner stress levels, you will do more for your quality of life than nearly anything else. You can have the best bench/body/everything... but if you let stress put too much mileage on your heart "apparatus".... you're taking years off your life.

I also try to stick to a routine that I will actually follow... if it's too complicated and unrealistic to follow, there is no point for me to try it.

Final point (and I am not a doctor)... but I think it is important to learn your own body. Every man (and woman) is different. I think its important to always calibrate anything you do to who you are "medically/physically."

 

[YETI]

Stress. Stress is probably the number 1 killer of men and leads to many of the issues men die from, especially heart related issues. If you can control your inner stress levels, you will do more for your quality of life than nearly anything else. You can have the best bench/body/everything... but if you let stress put too much mileage on your heart "apparatus".... you're taking years off your life.

THIS

Until a year-and-a-half ago, I was a very stressed out lawyer and would lose my shit way too easily. A mentor suggested therapy to me and it has done wonders. She has given me great tools to manage my stress levels and get my temper under control. It's one of the best things I've done. It has also helped with my blood pressure.

 

[Sean Molina]

THIS

Until a year-and-a-half ago, I was a very stressed out lawyer and would lose my shit way too easily. A mentor suggested therapy to me and it has done wonders. She has given me great tools to manage my stress levels and get my temper under control. It's one of the best things I've done. It has also helped with my blood pressure.

Great point! I'll add something here: there are small things, not glamorous, that greatly improve overall health.

I haven't done therapy, yet. I keep running into people that, by physical appearance alone, don't strike me as people that can help me. Judgemental but that's my limitation. So far, church has filled that gap. Although I'm still curious about therapy. Books help too.

 

[YETI]

Great point! I'll add something here: there are small things, not glamorous, that greatly improve overall health.

I haven't done therapy, yet. I keep running into people that, by physical appearance alone, don't strike me as people that can help me. Judgemental but that's my limitation. So far, church has filled that gap. Although I'm still curious about therapy. Books help too.

My therapist is a retired cop. After being a cop for 20+ years, she realized how important mental health is to physical health. Being a retired cop, she has a great, dark sense of humor and swears almost as much as I do. I saw two other therapists before I found her, it is all about finding the therapist who works for YOU

 

[les]

I wouldn't characterize the following as "advice", only what has worked well for me as a grown-ass man in his mid '50s:

1. Sleep no more than 6 hrs in any 24 hr period.
2. Etymologically... "protein" = "of primary importance". All "protein" isn't created equal.
3. Eat real food, mostly meat, and of that mostly game. Homemade (non-GMO flour) bread and pasta. If you want vegetables, grow them.
4. Prepare your own food, cook over fire; never outsource the important shit. Food is therapy and sustenance.
5. Never eat more than twice a day. Never if you aren't hungry.
6. Don't snack. If you don't have time to prepare a meal, one of 2 things is true: you either have more important stuff to do, or you need to slow down.
7. If it comes in a box, it's not food.
8. Walk. A lot.
9. Seek sunlight. The sun shines when it's cold, too.
10. If you're cold, move faster.
11. Supplement with chelated Zinc and Magnesium.
12. No pharmaceuticals/pharmacologicals
13. Lift 5 days a week.

I haven't seen a doc (of any flavor) since 1997.

 

[Shart85]

Dad comment hits home. I’d been husky for awhile i always considered myself to be in good enough shape as long as it didn’t interfere with my outdoor hobbies. long story short I wasn’t healthy at all 6ft 230 lbs and 100 yd jog had me hella winded. Finally just said things gotta change mainly for my kid who’s 5. Within last year i’m down to 185 lbs mainly with healthy eating and steady cardio jog about 3 miles 3 times a week. Get 10k steps on the days i don’t jog. I quit taking elevators. Started rucking, and incorporating sprint training. New goal is to hit weights a bit more regularly. 72 hour fast quarterly has been a game changer as well. Best thing about it all is I don’t get winded playing hard with the kid and i can appendix carry comfortably now . Look forward to following this thread. Lots to learn.

 

[Wade Burns]

I’m 51. My job as an archaeologist meant I hiked my ass off for a living, so for many years I was always in great shape. As my business grew I got employees and had to stay in the office more which led to inactivity coupled with a shit ton of stress. I yo-yoed with my weight between 185 and 225 for years but the last couple have been the worst. I was on blood pressure meds, pee pills due to I was up 6 times a night to take a leak, and getting dizzy spells throughout the day coupled with lethargy. I slept like total crap, and hit 249, a personal best for me at 5’8. My doc asked me if I would be interested in taking zepbound due to I was pre diabetic which runs in my family since I’m part Indian. I said what the heck. I do the minimum dose and in addition I hike several miles a week and swim three days a week. I eat small healthy meals now and watch what I drink. Well six months later I’m at 198 and feeling the best I have in years. I no longer take any meds for anything, no longer dizzy, don’t get up at night anymore to pee, and sleep great. I handle stress a hundred fold better and I hunt way harder than I have in years. I still have a ways to go as I want to get back to 185 and build some muscle mass back. Is it cheating I don’t know but it sure spurred me to get healthy again and I hopefully not get diabetes.

Here I am this time last year at 230lbs. The picture below that is me today wearing a jacket and bibs and I still look skinner

 

[YETI]

I’m 51. My job as an archaeologist meant I hiked my ass off for a living, so for many years I was always in great shape. As my business grew I got employees and had to stay in the office more which led to inactivity coupled with a shit ton of stress. I yo-yoed with my weight between 185 and 225 for years but the last couple have been the worst. I was on blood pressure meds, pee pills due to I was up 6 times a night to take a leak, and getting dizzy spells throughout the day coupled with lethargy. I slept like total crap, and hit 249, a personal best for me at 5’8. My doc asked me if I would be interested in taking zepbound due to I was pre diabetic which runs in my family since I’m part Indian. I said what the heck. I do the minimum dose and in addition I hike several miles a week and swim three days a week. I eat small healthy meals now and watch what I drink. Well six months later I’m at 198 and feeling the best I have in years. I no longer take any meds for anything, no longer dizzy, don’t get up at night anymore to pee, and sleep great. I handle stress a hundred fold better and I hunt way harder than I have in years. I still have a ways to go as I want to get back to 185 and build some muscle mass back. Is it cheating I don’t know but it sure spurred me to get healthy again and I hopefully not get diabetes.

Here I am this time last year at 230lbs. The picture below that is me today wearing a jacket and bibs and I still look skinner
View attachment 3797View attachment 3796

Good work, keep it up!

 

[rtraendly]

Very cool to see guys in their 50’s and 60’s staying focused on being able to do the things we all want to keep doing.

I’m definitely going to look into this chill mat thing.

I highly recommend the chill mat.

 

[Wade Burns]

Good work, keep it up!

Thanks! I certainly will. I’m actually enjoying the system I have going now. Swimming is a lot of fun and really has helped a bad knee I’ve had since high school.

 

[Frankie Mo]

Starting this thread to see where it goes and I’ll likely build out a bunch of sub threads later.

In late November 2024 I went carnivore. I’d just come back from doing the Australia film and I was way out of spec. My final year in LE I was 159 (too light from too much cardio and testing gluten free) and by the time I got back from Australia I was 208. A trainer buddy told me I looked like shit and I needed to start training for my 50’s if I wanted to enjoy that decade at all.

I knew I looked and felt like shit, but I’d never heard it framed quite like that. How would I be able to adventure in my 50’s if I didn’t change course?

I didn’t want to get on the trendy Ozempic type stuff and be reliant on any meds so I took what I already knew about carnivore and started researching more about the lifestyle and possible benefits -one of the most attractive benefits being reduced inflammation.

I have a plate and 11 screws in my left ankle from a compound fracture, broke L1 & T12 vertebrae years later, and was having cam impingement in my hip after both of those impact injuries. Inflammation was a problem.

So I started carnivore in conjunction with getting back in the gym.

Within 3 weeks of starting carnivore the cam impingement was completely gone, I was sleeping way better at night and I was focusing better. Combined with workouts the weight started to come off. I added in daily German creatine for recovery and really leaned into the protein and animal fat. The creatine really helped with my memory and I could see all the associated improvements within about 6 weeks.

Recently I started collagen peptides. The only supplements I take are collagen, creatine and Vitamin D. D has been the only thing to suffer with carnivore. I get quarterly labs and they’ve been coming back amazing. Just did lab work again yesterday and when the doc went over the previous results with me he repeated several times how good my labs look. Perfect blood pressure, resting heart rate, cholesterol and testosterone. 685 without any TRT and my free T was almost 15.

So I’m on course to having a great time in my 50’s (still 6 years away). I take rare departures from carnivore to have a beer or tequila night with the FE squad but that’s very infrequent as it takes almost a week to feel like I’m dialed back in.

I’m headed to Ways2Wellness in TX soon for a full in-depth analysis of my current baseline and a treatment plan to take things to the next level.

I’ll report back. Let me know if you have any questions.

Carnivore since Nov 2024. Healthier. Down from 208 to 168. Sleeping great. Feeling great. Fucking dialed in.

I’m 59 and have been working on staying in shape, especially after retiring from LE.
However, I’ve been lucky eating and drinking till I wasn’t lol. Labs came back high cholesterol etc. Though they were high, the Doc felt I can change it all around and am taking diet seriously ( no carbs, no salt, sugar) and having drinks on special occasions. My father in law, an old Portuguese boat carpenter said I’m being carried away as it affected our Thursday afternoon Portuguese meals and wine. Anyway, I started doing a 10 week program I got from Hard To Kill and been killing it(I even recently started going back to BJJ). Being a man of certain age, I worry about losing muscle and find myself hitting the lbs more than I did when I was a teen and I feel stronger and leaner. Not easy boys, but it can be done.

 

[Steven Donovan]

THIS

Until a year-and-a-half ago, I was a very stressed out lawyer and would lose my shit way too easily. A mentor suggested therapy to me and it has done wonders. She has given me great tools to manage my stress levels and get my temper under control. It's one of the best things I've done. It has also helped with my blood pressure.

Late reply.

I wasn't necessarily referencing just therapy... though it's never a bad thing if someone believes they need it.

I think keeping an eye on "self-induced stress" can be done in numerous ways... and I think it can also vary depending on the individual. Can be very self-driven.

 

[Bakes]

Was wondering when a fitness/ health/ wellness thread would kick off. Lots of good stuff across these posts. I’ve been fortunate to grow up with my dad’s friends and I’ve had a ring side seat to watching men age from 40s into their 70s and beyond. A few observations:

- Don’t get fat and if you do deal with it quickly. Those that put on weight and didn’t lose it kept it and it negatively impacts every aspect of life.
- Don’t stop moving. Dudes retire, have to go under the knife, get lazy, etc. It is critical that you stay physically active, ideally outdoors. Take rehab really seriously and get back to 100% ASAP.
- Start seeing a doctor annually now. Getting a baseline and working to stay ahead of things saves a ton of issues later in life.
- Stay young mentally. Don’t give in to the psychology of ‘being old’, do the hard thing, take the risk, stay on the edge or else you’ll quickly lose your ability to.

There is a gym called Mountain Tactical Institute (www.mtntactical.com) that I could not recommend more. They are only focused on mission-direct outcomes. They have a bunch of hunting specific plans. I would recommend the body weight onboarding- it is more intense then it sounds.

 

[YETI]

Was wondering when a fitness/ health/ wellness thread would kick off. Lots of good stuff across these posts. I’ve been fortunate to grow up with my dad’s friends and I’ve had a ring side seat to watching men age from 40s into their 70s and beyond. A few observations:

- Don’t get fat and if you do deal with it quickly. Those that put on weight and didn’t lose it kept it and it negatively impacts every aspect of life.
- Don’t stop moving. Dudes retire, have to go under the knife, get lazy, etc. It is critical that you stay physically active, ideally outdoors. Take rehab really seriously and get back to 100% ASAP.
- Start seeing a doctor annually now. Getting a baseline and working to stay ahead of things saves a ton of issues later in life.
- Stay young mentally. Don’t give in to the psychology of ‘being old’, do the hard thing, take the risk, stay on the edge or else you’ll quickly lose your ability to.

There is a gym called Mountain Tactical Institute (www.mtntactical.com) that I could not recommend more. They are only focused on mission-direct outcomes. They have a bunch of hunting specific plans. I would recommend the body weight onboarding- it is more intense then it sounds.

You are right on all counts. I aim to emulate my pops. He turns 87 this year and is still getting after it. After a 27 year career in law enforcement, he bought a boat and moved to Catalina and "worked" there for 5 years. Then they sold the boat and got a giant ass motorhome and started leading tours around North America. When he saw I was getting into hunting, they sold the motorhome and now he's a hunting fanatic like he was when I was a kid. I read somewhere that you don't stop playing because you get old, you get old because you stop playing. I intend to keep playing

 

[Jason Vincent]

My consultation with Ways2Wellness today has been rescheduled for tomorrow. Very straightforward questionnaire and profile setup on my laptop yesterday.

I’ll let you guys know how the consult goes.