Buddy Rich

Rip, I'm afraid the gig might be up. I know you're not the Penile Implant expert, but if somebody on this Forum could help me, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I promise you I'm not a troll. I'm 53 years old, 5'10" and weigh 240lbs. My overall health is very good. I'm strong and active. My recent bloodwork came back with no issues. Everything was normal. I'm not a diabetic. I don't have heart disease or any of the contributing factors of erectile dysfunction. I do have low testosterone, but I'm being treated for it. I inject 100mg/week and it seems to do the trick. I wake up with morning wood, but when it comes time to "perform," it's not happening. The only other thing I could think of is to deal with Anxiety, but I wouldn't consider it over the top and I don't take anything for it. My doctor started me on Viagra and that did the trick for a few years, but it's now hit or miss. I then started injections of Trimix. Again, did the trick for a bit, but it's hit or miss now. The next step up is a penile implant. Just the thought of that scares the hell out of me, but all of my research has shown it has an approx 90% success rate.

I'd rather not go down that road if I don't have to. Is there something I'm missing or my Doctor is missing? Is there anybody on this Forum who has a penile implant and would like to share their story?

Mark Rippetoe

This isn't complicated: You need a new girlfriend.

Quaitemes

Hi! I am a 35 y/o former Police Officer, currently a Registered Nurse, and one of Texas' top Chess Teachers. I was always a big strong dude, growing up doing lots of manly labor, chopping wood, carrying logs, baling hay, etc. I never really lifted weights on a regular basis. I know I could deadlift 435 lbs after the police academy in 2008. I am 6'1 and was 230lbs at the time. I have about 7.7inch wrists, and 10.5 inch ankles. My vertical jump is a horseshit 18 inches.

Unfortunately, I have suffered badly over the past few years with Crohn's Disease. I have lost a ton of my strength and endurance, and have turned into a fat tub of lard at 273 lbs. My bodyfat is 28% according to the little machine thing at the gym. Over the summer, I was able to have some procedures done to stop the small bowel obstructions I was getting from the inflammation and scar tissue in my small intestines. The new medication has me feeling a lot better too. So a couple weeks ago, I started going to the gym again to lift weights. I am reading Rippetoe's Starting Strength Basic Barbell training 3rd ed. and watching a ton of videos, trying to make sure I am practicing correct technique.

I am hooked, I think. This is very fun, and I feel great having gotten some of my strength back.

Right now I have sort of combined the Stronglifts 5x5 and Starting Strength Programs for a training schedule that looks like:

Monday Wednesday Friday

• Squat 5x5 185lbs
• Bench Press 5X5 175lbs
• Deadlift 1X5 275lbs
• Assisted Chin Ups 3X25 -175lbs

Tuesday Thursday

• Front Squat 5X5 140lbs
• Overhead Press 5x5 140lbs
• Barbell Row 5x5 140lbs
• Assisted Pull up 3x20 -175lbs

My aim is to add 5lbs per weight per workout until I can't any more. If I hit a plateau, I may switch to 3x5, and then 3x3. Also I just ordered some small 1.25lb plates and maybe get some even smaller plates so I can make increments very small once the weights get tough.

I figure that I will not be able to sustain a 5 day a week model forever, because I will eventually need more time to recover. I figured it would be better for me to make my fat ass go to the gym every day so I can't make any excuses.

MY typical daily diet: (trying to get at least 300g of protein. (limiting carbs until I lose some weight) about 2700-3000 calories or so.

• 1/2 gallon 2% or Whole milk\
• 1-2 lbs of chicken breast or steak.
• 6-12 eggs
• 9-12 oz shrimp
• 1-2 scoops of whey with some peanut butter

Thank you guys for any advice or encouragement! I am trying to hit it as hard as I can while I still have noob enthusiasm!

Mark Rippetoe

Practical Programming for Strength Training

Quaitemes

Wow! Thanks Mr Rippetoe! I am a huge fan. I ordered all your books off Amazon a few days ago. Just started reading Starting Strength, Basic Barbell training. Can't wait for Practical Programming to get here.

I am guessing my problem is probably that I am very motivated, and I am used to always trying to work harder than everyone else. I used to work 100 hours a week for example. I figure this might run me into trouble with weightlifting if I try to push myself too hard too fast. The ego problem is real... It pains me that I can't do one single damn chin up.

A couple weeks ago, I squatted for the first time in forever. I did 135lbsx5x5. I was so sore I could barely walk for a week. But now my joints are sore. (I have shit joints from advanced crohn's disease attacking them) I figure I am just gonna keep powering through, cause I'm tired of being a big fat weakling!

I feel like if I work hard, I could be very strong. I think I have good genetics for it, and that it comes easy for me. I just need to work hard too!

Mark Rippetoe

You're the kind of guy that just will not do the program. Good luck with your training.