Get Fit, Stay Fit, Feel Good - 2026

[Ridley]

@SFMCjohn, make it happen captain.

 

[SFMCjohn]

@SFMCjohn, make it happen captain.

the total “feel good” fitness-routine mystery is why when I suddenly have loads of unstructured time, is it so difficult for me to get anything accomplished?

probably why I admire the people in this thread so much who involve themselves in training for racing and organized fitness events—there’s structure for us.

 

[budman]

Another good workout. Leg day.

It has been a bit over a month since I start doing the Cocoa Flavanol thing.
Suppose to help with blood flow and cardiovascular swelling. However it should also be noted that I am slamming blue and black berries that also have similar benefits.

I think it fricking works. Not 100% sure, but today I did the 4 mile in 20 min ride before doing weights and PT stuff.

While it was off my best time by a whopping 10 secs my heart rate was substantially lower and my breathing was just flowing super smooth. Completed in 19 min. Probably psychological

When I set my best time my heart rate was busting 150 which is too high for an old man. So I intentionally wanted to keep it well under control. In the 19 minutes today it was 107 or less for the first 10 minutes and slowly ticked up to a max of 119. That is below the 85% max target range of 129 for this OG. 220 - 68 = 152 x .85 = 129.

Thinking about the Peptide deal. Seems only 1 has FDA approval and I sure the hell won't inject anything. FCS I don't need to get to the Choppa!!

Found this on Wiki.
https://peptidepedia.org/guides/best-peptides-for-muscle-growth

As I understand it there is value for recovery and injury. I was talking with an OG who is doing the knee lube thing and has found what she thinks it value in them so I figured I would look at it. We will see as I am worried about side effects so treading slowly on giving it a shot until I feel comfortable.

This will include a blood panel Friday and discussion with the Dr. if I can get him to talk to me. I am interested in the blood test results as it has not been checked since I started the gym rat phase.

My strength is going up. I can tell for sure from a few exercises (machines).
Bench press, triceps and curls are all improving (although slowly) and leg press has gone up substantially, although I think that is just more recovery than actual muscle addition.

 

[Mike95060]

Bud, please DO NOT inject any "research grade" peptides into your body. The shit is the wild west in terms of concentration and purity. It might be fine....

Juice isn't worth the squeeze in my book. You are kicking ass on the natch anyway.

 

[budman]

I specifically said I would not inject anything in the post so no worries there.
IF I go the peptide route it will be well researched and involve a medical professionals advice. I am too old to have side effects from anything. I guess stairs is an exception

 

[stangmx13]

Rob, your request for data on any "health advice" provided is where the goal posts have been moved. That's your personal request; not a standard used here previously. The implication for a battle of the links is an anathema to how we have been posting previously. I understand you want to qualify statements others make as valid/ invalid based on links. IMO, that's an optional standard that will lead to division, based on differences of beliefs. This has been an enjoyable thread series. "Truth" checking others workout advice when there hasn't been a problem with what's been previously posted is inviting KSP like arguments.

No thanks.

You replied with “nuh uh, you did it”? Dude, I’ve been ‘fact checking’ many posts in here for years, for ones that make claims. Seems like others like Climber and Mike do to. I like it cuz I generally learn something. This whole convo started as a cautionary tale, not suggesting change. Much of what you seem to be complaining about already occurs. I agree, it’s already working great.

I had a lot more typed out. But you didn’t reply to like 80% of my post, so there’s no point.

PM that link to the post where you think someone was mistreated per the goals of the thread. This has nothing to do with truth or data, just how to be a nicer person.

 

[stangmx13]

the total “feel good” fitness-routine mystery is why when I suddenly have loads of unstructured time, is it so difficult for me to get anything accomplished?

probably why I admire the people in this thread so much who involve themselves in training for racing and organized fitness events—there’s structure for us.

You’re def onto something with the effects of structure. I'm very lazily starting a new business so I also have tons of downtime. Some days I wouldn’t accomplish anything if I didn’t have the training plan to force me to plan my day a little. Today was ride first, then work on someone’s bike, then mow the lawn before dark.

Those forced habit changes are so hard, especially when they come w a reduced activity level. Sounds like you are well aware and already have a great plan. Git r done

 

[Holeshot]

So got to the gym last night and it was empty. busted out my upper routine with no issue. upped weight on most exercises and man my shoulders were destroyed. it was so hard to keep my arms up they were just wiped. felt good like I am making progress. went up on my bench and will see how long it takes to get back to where I want to be.

I've lost almost 5lbs since 3 weeks ago...not what I'm aiming for.

Another good workout. Leg day.

It has been a bit over a month since I start doing the Cocoa Flavanol thing.

Good stuff Bud. I dropped cocoa powder when almost all the products on the market show an unreasonable amount of heavy metal in them. I've kept the beat powder, magnesium (byglyinclate) and black raspberry powder in the morning blend for inflammation fighting benefits. Vitamin D3 +K2 is a cornerstone recommend by Dr. Eric Berg. For older people, I really like his approaches. His videos are very well explained. Dr. Eric Berg

 

[stangmx13]

@budman heres a study on cocoa flavonols done on 99 people avg age 70. There were significant improvements in cognitive function, blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, and other things over an 8wk period from 1 >500mg dose a day. It looks like that stuff def works. Which product did you buy?

Cocoa flavanol consumption improves cognitive function, blood pressure control, and metabolic profile in elderly subjects: the Cocoa, Cognition, and Aging (CoCoA) Study—a randomized controlled trial1 - PMC

Background: Recent evidence has indicated that flavanol consumption may have many health benefits in humans, including improved cognitive activities. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effect of flavanol consumption on cognitive performance in ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[SFMCjohn]

You’re def onto something with the effects of structure. I'm very lazily starting a new business so I also have tons of downtime. Some days I wouldn’t accomplish anything if I didn’t have the training plan to force me to plan my day a little. Today was ride first, then work on someone’s bike, then mow the lawn before dark.

Those forced habit changes are so hard, especially when they come w a reduced activity level. Sounds like you are well aware and already have a great plan. Git r done

yes, sounds like I’m struggling with a transition you’ve made, which is instead of my work providing structure for my feel-good routine, I need to find a place where my get-fitter routine provides structure for the rest of my day … that would be huge progress.

I’ve been trying to get up at 4:30 am and walk up a hill in San Francisco to catch the sunrise, along with some stress-reducing meditation time—but I’m having trouble making that a regular daily routine.

we’ll see … if I could do the 4:30 am thing for a couple weeks, that would be progress towards making it a habit, which is mostly what my main goal is with this feel-good stuff.

 

[budman]

Well I do love heavy metal



This is what I got Robert.

 

[Holeshot]

You replied with “nuh uh, you did it”?

Your argument has been a straw man this full exchange through. I don't know what post set It off that contained actual risk to readers.

Shades of gray man, shades of gray. One man’s “fixed my brain and stopped my osteoporosis getting worse” is another man’s “roid rage and prostate cancer”.

This is where things started to go off the rails for us and led me to think this was about Dion's post, followed up with post #1216 and #1223. Those posts were attacks on another members experience(s) they retold. No data sets needed; these were historical "how I got here" posts. Someone else felt they needed to be combated. I don't believe that's what we've all been doing here for years, in these health threads. The support has been great. Attacks ruin the upbeat, positive vibe. The better message than "links" would be to support positive engagement.

Truth. But all results are personal anyway....so long as people own their decisions, still the beacon.

Personal ownership of a health decision is very important, since we're all at different points in our lives where the needs may be vastly different...not considering the physiological differences in our bodies. Much of personal health and fitness is trial and error. The "bro science" line made me think you and the author of #1223 have a distaste for PED's, and that's what the discussion we're having is really about. FWIW, Dion owns his decisions. There's no question about that, given his posts on TRT.

“As long as people own it” isn’t the end of the story though. One important part is that no one makes health decisions in a vacuum. Any review of TRT (or lack of it) here will impact anyone that reads it. We’ve got “1000 T” and “low T” experiences posted here. Who’s to say either of those are best for a reader.

The same is true for many of the topics we talk about. My experiences with injuries and broken bones may be risky for others. Same with many ppl’s lifting experience. Hell, even my sugar intake is not recommended for nearly everyone else on BARF . It’s hard to convey risks and actually help as often as possible.

People's training programs, desires, and results aren't going the be the same because their bodies are not the same. I know two professional road racers who ride MTB and road bikes. One of them almost never works, out, nor rides regularly and has reasonable, but not great diet, etc. On MTB rides, he rides uphill, past pro riders. The other pro racer has similar strengths. Doesn't practice; starts a race well late, passes up pro riders and wins race. Regularly. What's the secret? His lung capacity. It's massive. It's also genetic. You know the names of these two guys well.

Why did I tell that story? Because, despite all the things we do to gain an advantage, or put us in the best shape we can be in, nature has a way of restricting us. There's no way to overcome having small lungs. But, there may be a desire to do so. PED's are that for some people and they may not care the affect on their LT health. They care about the here and now. It's their life. It's their story(s). I like reading all the colorful posts. Bashing people's content sends them packing. That sucks. The more a forum becomes homogenous the less we're exposed to. A shift to "data support" in this sub forum leads to confrontation. That's no good for the group vibe, IMO. Just regular conversations proceed...as they have been throughout our sub-discussion.

Now, where did my 5lbs go. I want it back.

 

[budman]

Article was interesting. Thanks.

Two big take aways.

Positive feedback on the process

And…. Fuck. I am elderly.

 

[stangmx13]

Your argument has been a straw man this full exchange through. I don't know what post set It off that contained actual risk to readers.


This is where things started to go off the rails for us and led me to think this was about Dion's post, followed up with post #1216 and #1223. Those posts were attacks on another members experience(s) they retold. No data sets needed; these were historical "how I got here" posts. Someone else felt they needed to be combated. I don't believe that's what we've all been doing here for years, in these health threads. The support has been great. Attacks ruin the upbeat, positive vibe. The better message than "links" would be to support positive engagement.



Personal ownership of a health decision is very important, since we're all at different points in our lives where the needs may be vastly different...not considering the physiological differences in our bodies. Much of personal health and fitness is trial and error. The "bro science" line made me think you and the author of #1223 have a distaste for PED's, and that's what the discussion we're having is really about. FWIW, Dion owns his decisions. There's no question about that, given his posts on TRT.



People's training programs, desires, and results aren't going the be the same because their bodies are not the same. I know two professional road racers who ride MTB and road bikes. One of them almost never works, out, nor rides regularly and has reasonable, but not great diet, etc. On MTB rides, he rides uphill, past pro riders. The other pro racer has similar strengths. Doesn't practice; starts a race well late, passes up pro riders and wins race. Regularly. What's the secret? His lung capacity. It's massive. It's also genetic. You know the names of these two guys well.

Why did I tell that story? Because, despite all the things we do to gain an advantage, or put us in the best shape we can be in, nature has a way of restricting us. There's no way to overcome having small lungs. But, there may be a desire to do so. PED's are that for some people and they may not care the affect on their LT health. They care about the here and now. It's their life. It's their story(s). I like reading all the colorful posts. Bashing people's content sends them packing. That sucks. The more a forum becomes homogenous the less we're exposed to. A shift to "data support" in this sub forum leads to confrontation. That's no good for the group vibe, IMO. Just regular conversations proceed...as they have been throughout our sub-discussion.

Now, where did my 5lbs go. I want it back.

Cautionary tales are inherently hypotheticals. It takes a lot of imagination and some empathy for them to be meaningful. As I said in a few prev posts, it crosses my mind frequently here. It’s meaningful to me even if you can’t find a post where you think it matters.

PEDs are a good example of potential risk to readers, as is the prev examples I gave and maybe even peptides on this page. But “risk” is an opinion and the whole convo makes little sense if we don’t agree that risk exists. I see Mike calling out risk and you see Mike bashing a choice. We aren’t gonna see eye to eye on this

‘Bodies are diff’ is terrible support for your point. Science frequently understands the shades of gray of ‘bodies are diff’. That’s y science tries to have large sample sizes and why results are often in occurrence rate or significance. If science says there’s risk of X for 80% of people given Y, you can choose to assume you are in the 20%. But why? And promoting that risk to other people, ugh. There I go with the hypothetical again.