wbutterworth
New member
Hi All,
Absolute pleasure to be here on this forum with all the informative posts and supportive comments. I'm brand new to the "hobby" and looking for a steer from some experienced users on my circumstances.
Currently, and unfortunately, I am fat. I am miserable in my skin and want to make some serious changes in my approach to life.
I have not always been fat. I have had many spells of good weights and seen decent progress in the past at the gym.
One of the biggest issues I have faced with progress is my predisposition toward depressive episodes. In the past I have found my newbie gains and progress to be swiftly undone with a few months of depression diets and general lethargy.
Whilst I don't want to make excuses for lack of discipline and drive, I have certainly found it tricky to maintain or reenter the world of fitness due to the perceived likelihood of undoing whatever progress I make with another depressive bout in the future. I am sure I could have done better in other aspects of my regimes, but depression has been an unwanted bitch in my life for a decade.
DISCLAIMER BEFORE I CONTINUE: My depression is linked with my weight and appearance. Poor diet and physical health leads to poor self opinion which leads to excessive isolation which leads to comfort eating in isolation which starts the vicious cycle (ha) again. I am aware that various compounds/PCT/hormone imbalances may have effects on individuals and cause depression - my thoughts on this are as follows:
1. I am cognisant of this and would closely monitor any adverse effects that a cycle/PCT could have on my mental health and react appropriately and responsibly
2. I already have depression! A little more can't hurt, surely? (in all seriousness, I have had depression for years and understand the signs and symptoms, I take an SSRI, partake in talking therapy and regularly check in with my GP).
I am here considering the benefits of a cycle on my return to the gym this year. I am particularly interested in the effect that the enhanced rate of muscle growth would have on my ability to incentivise and stick with my regime throughout a potential future depressive episode. As I mentioned previously, I have a somewhat psychosomatic feedback loop when it comes to my depression and think there may be benefit to hopping on a small cycle, working my butt off for a few months and seeing some serious improvement.
I am considering going to get some blood work done soon (any UK/London links would be great!) but am still doing some research and collecting opinions around the area.
So here I am, a friendly neighbourhood fat man looking for a quick fix. I'm sure it's a story heard a 1000 times before on this forum. But here I am, asking the big questions for the big blokes of the world.
Am I a complete idiot for even thinking along these lines? Or is there some method in the madness? I don't really care about fat loss right now as I'm trying to approach fitness and lifting in a better way. I just want to get some reps in at the gym and move some weight from A to B with some decent results that will keep me coming back, and hopefully have a positive effect on my life and seasonal depression.
Lots of love new family. Happy to answer any questions. Any feedback very much appreciated
Absolute pleasure to be here on this forum with all the informative posts and supportive comments. I'm brand new to the "hobby" and looking for a steer from some experienced users on my circumstances.
Currently, and unfortunately, I am fat. I am miserable in my skin and want to make some serious changes in my approach to life.
I have not always been fat. I have had many spells of good weights and seen decent progress in the past at the gym.
One of the biggest issues I have faced with progress is my predisposition toward depressive episodes. In the past I have found my newbie gains and progress to be swiftly undone with a few months of depression diets and general lethargy.
Whilst I don't want to make excuses for lack of discipline and drive, I have certainly found it tricky to maintain or reenter the world of fitness due to the perceived likelihood of undoing whatever progress I make with another depressive bout in the future. I am sure I could have done better in other aspects of my regimes, but depression has been an unwanted bitch in my life for a decade.
DISCLAIMER BEFORE I CONTINUE: My depression is linked with my weight and appearance. Poor diet and physical health leads to poor self opinion which leads to excessive isolation which leads to comfort eating in isolation which starts the vicious cycle (ha) again. I am aware that various compounds/PCT/hormone imbalances may have effects on individuals and cause depression - my thoughts on this are as follows:
1. I am cognisant of this and would closely monitor any adverse effects that a cycle/PCT could have on my mental health and react appropriately and responsibly
2. I already have depression! A little more can't hurt, surely? (in all seriousness, I have had depression for years and understand the signs and symptoms, I take an SSRI, partake in talking therapy and regularly check in with my GP).
I am here considering the benefits of a cycle on my return to the gym this year. I am particularly interested in the effect that the enhanced rate of muscle growth would have on my ability to incentivise and stick with my regime throughout a potential future depressive episode. As I mentioned previously, I have a somewhat psychosomatic feedback loop when it comes to my depression and think there may be benefit to hopping on a small cycle, working my butt off for a few months and seeing some serious improvement.
I am considering going to get some blood work done soon (any UK/London links would be great!) but am still doing some research and collecting opinions around the area.
So here I am, a friendly neighbourhood fat man looking for a quick fix. I'm sure it's a story heard a 1000 times before on this forum. But here I am, asking the big questions for the big blokes of the world.
Am I a complete idiot for even thinking along these lines? Or is there some method in the madness? I don't really care about fat loss right now as I'm trying to approach fitness and lifting in a better way. I just want to get some reps in at the gym and move some weight from A to B with some decent results that will keep me coming back, and hopefully have a positive effect on my life and seasonal depression.
Lots of love new family. Happy to answer any questions. Any feedback very much appreciated