Your description felt complete and not just a collection of words.
As far as connection...While I haven't had any major issues that would keep me bed ridden for any extended period of time but I spent alot of time at the studio/work, I worked very long hours sitting on my ass behind a bunch of computers, speakers and a recording console. Diet was poor, proper studio etiquette dictates that the client purchase meals for the engineer/producer. This usually consisted of take out that was eaten as fast as possible while working behind the console because of time/money issues. Sleep was poor. Typical session lasted 12 to 14 hrs. Lots of setting up or tearing down or documentation. Often I slept at work because I had another session in the morning. Getting to sleep was problem as well. Try and listen to one of your least favorite songs in the whole world for 10 to 12 hrs straight but wait...blast it really loud because your client is loaded and wants to blow out your ears. Then lay down and close your eyes. All these things compounded upon themselves until I was 70 to 80 pds overweight, with a poor self image, no girlfriend or social life. I then started having panic attacks... and heart palpitations. Freaked the hell out of me till I figured out was going on. I quite doing the studio work about a year and a half ago. Since then I have been working out somewhat consistently and eating healthy. Everything has improved ten fold.
I'm familiar with the music world , though I haven't spent much time in studios. Played in bands, did solo gigs, worked in radio & music stores, was on all the guest lists (around here, that is). Overworked, under-rested, un-nourished, unhealthy, no real confidence, no real strength, no real friends, no sex. By the time I was 28, the negative self-talk was going nearly every waking minute, and one night driving home from work I started yelling at the voices in my head, telling them to shut up! That was a real turning point for me - I started pulling it together pretty fast then.
I have more time to spend with family and friends, and Now I am looking to go back to school and study nursing. But other than that I am just dealing with the usual stuff that a guy in his thirties starts to experience. Old injuries from school wich use to be a minor annoyance become more of a nuisance. In my case it would be a minor back injury and a shoulder I disclocated when I was younger. Not sleeping as well as I used to. I plan on having a sleep study done soon. I believe I might be a candidate for sleep apnea. Seems to run in the family.
Bro, you really could not pick a better time to get smart/serious about your health & fitness; my friend/boss/work-partner has been an athlete all his life, and a martial artist his whole adult life, and he’s been a doctor for 20 years; he says that your fifties are crucial, that your general level of strength & fitness during your fifties carries over into your general health & quality of life over the next 20-30 years (basically, the rest of your life). Because of this, he says (& I agree) that the better shape you’re in going *into* your fifties, the better, period. This is due to the reduction in hormones, beginning in earnest around 35, and becoming jarringly noticeable by 45, so we men really need to struggle to keep our strength and fitness up against the lowering tides of our body chemistry. As you say, old injuries come back to haunt us, the harmlessly stupid things we did when we were young & didn’t know better. (I wish I hadn’t jumped down from so many tall things, for one...)
The earlier we can start DOING IT FOR REAL, the easier and more effective it will be over the long haul.
Then, instead of building against that shrinking tide, we can maintain - much easier to accomplish - and so the better condition we’re in when we reach the half-century.
By this standard, it should be hopeless for me, as I came into my 40s & then 50s in poor shape, inside & out.
However, it’s important to remember that we can turn things around for ourselves *RIGHT*NOW*.
The past and future are both permanently out-of-reach - we can only act NOW.
I’m thinking about your dad as I write this.
It just occured to me as to why I was attracted to this thread in the first place.
It wasnt to gain insight on the tropins. Although the idea of permanently altering GH or IGF levels intrigues me now. Or because I think you are a stand up guy. But the reasons why you were doing this. The standout for me was your daughter and grand children.
I have a father who is 54 and is going through alot of health problems. His liver is pretty much shot from a good part of his life abusing alcohol and ignoring ongoing health problems. As a result his health is declining. He does not drink as much anymore but his alcoholism is still an issue for him and he still refuses to seek help despite his acknowledgement of his condition and addiction. Like you he should have another 25 to 40 years of active health ahead of him. As a result he has lost alot of his independence and my Sister and I try to help out as much as we can. Wich we are both more than glad to do.
I really feel for your dad - the fact that we’re the same age is pretty poignant, and feel for you, too, because I could see how shaken my daughter was to see me so weak & unhealthy, and I remember seeing the change in my dad over the years - a king of men (in my eyes), yet to see him worn away by age and dust and disappointment was bitter and frightening to me, even at 40 (my age when he died).
I know I’m an opinionated fellow - I always think I have something useful to say, and I guess this is no different, but I really believe that your dad can turn around if only he can get his NOW in gear. He can stop drinking NOW. He can start eating better NOW. He can start exercising NOW. Do it with him - whatever it takes; keeping him company, like it’s a treat for you to spend the time walking or whatever with him. Tell him YOU need HIS help to stay motivated. These are just suggestions: you know your dad. My guess is, he may feel ashamed of needing so much assistance; getting him involved in your fitness may allow him a no-shame way of making his own changes. Let him know you love him, that it means something to you to see him active and involved.
Hope you’ll let me know how it goes with him.
I’m sorry it took so long to get to where I could put my thoughts down about this.
Thanks for showing up in the thread!
