Approaching and Hitting the Male Wall

[VincentVinturi]

The types of things that increase GHIH (which you do not want) are hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), glucocorticoids (stress hormones), hGH itself (through negative feedback), and high body fat.

If others have more examples of these, it would be appreciated.

Mercola et al advocate an HGH-maximizing routine through a combination of high intensity sprinting exercises (peak 8) and avoiding carbs immediately after the routine as eating carbs releases somatostatin which interferes with HGH release.

Instead, he recommends drinking a grass fed whey protein concentrate + water after within 30 minutes of finishing the Peak 8.

More info:

http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2010/12/24/a-fountain-of-youth-in-your-muscles.aspx

I used to do a lot of sprinting but haven't done it for years, preferring heavy low rep powerlifting.

In my experience trying a bunch of shit, powerlifting has the highest ROI in terms of overall well being.

Jiu jitsu -- or anything that tends to inflict overtraining and "chronic cardio" -- are the worst.

Nothing like a week of full-on BJJ training to totally wreck your body.

 

[eatthishomie]

I watched some docs on Netflix recently about the merits of plant based diets.

I will never be fully vegetarian again and will certainly not go vegan.

But I do see the merits of making plants a substantial foundation of your diet. Aside from whey protein, fish, eggs, and a bit of yogurt and cheese, this is largely what I will be doing once off RFL.

It also can't hurt to diversify your protein sources a bit either (pea/hemp/other plant-based protein powders in addition to whey protein).

 

[NASA Test Pilot]

Thanks for the input Gents!

@thoughtgypsy
¨but I'm of the belief that peak performance and longevity are not directly correlated. Our bodies are machines, and when pushed beyond the point of exhaustion, damage can be incurred.¨

This is the point, I want to ride the edge at the limits of my performance (degradation or approaching the wall without overtraining or getting injured), go figure, me doing that….

With peak performance and longevity I am looking at it from the perspective of maintaining or extending a relative peak in performance as time (age) marches on. This can be done through maximizing training (which I am pretty good at doing since I have been doing it for a half a century now) and changing inputs to maximize genetic potential as well as minimize environmental drag (insults).

For example, I know my times from swimming a 400 M Freestyle and in general they are decreasing 2-3% every five years from my best time when I was younger, however, there have been periods when it may be 3-4% decrease. If I can reach repeat or decrease a time from X(5) years ago, then I need to change something in order to alter performance relative to a (my) norm (or max). My technique is solid (with the exception of surfing having a negative impact and I still work on it after all of these decades) as well as other things that I have mentioned before. What I have changed that seems to slow the degradation is more rest. It may be also how I rest. I am also trying to work things out at chemical and hormonal level (increase body fat slightly to boost testosterone and increase muscle mass), maximize hGH naturally and then considering artificial things to see if there is a difference in performance degradation/enhancement.

The links that people offer are helpful as I am increasing my knowledge and the probability of more success. I am also learning more and that is its own reward on multiple levels.

 

[churros]

+ water after within 30 minutes of finishing the Peak 8.
Jiu jitsu -- or anything that tends to inflict overtraining and "chronic cardio" -- are the worst.

Nothing like a week of full-on BJJ training to totally wreck your body.

You don't think training combat sports is sustainable into old age? Now that you mention it, I never felt that great after intense sparring. But I used to box with a 60 year old dude, and it seemed to keep him lively.

 

[IDrinkYourMilkShake]

+ water after within 30 minutes of finishing the Peak 8.
Jiu jitsu -- or anything that tends to inflict overtraining and "chronic cardio" -- are the worst.

Nothing like a week of full-on BJJ training to totally wreck your body.

You don't think training combat sports is sustainable into old age? Now that you mention it, I never felt that great after intense sparring. But I used to box with a 60 year old dude, and it seemed to keep him lively.

I have been thinking about that. Basicly without giving such a datailed onfo on the bio-mechanics like other posters, I think consistency is the key if anything. Like with training in general that if you stop doing something you wont be good at it anymore. Or like Einstein put it: "One does not stop playing because of aging, but he ages because he stops playing", something like that.

Here some inspiration of what consistency will do for you

 

[themilkman]

Gypsy, where is this magical place you speak of?

 

[Cobra]

Isn't the male persona built up of confidence? If you can have that until you're physically unable, I'm not sure you can hit a wall the same way as a woman can hit the wall "physically." If the physicality is an issue for men, it can be worked on, whereas for women, physicality is beauty rather than strength for men.

For women, working on the beauty aspect of their physicality is much harder. On the contrary, even if your face is busted a bit, a man can hit the gym and still have that empowered grizzled look and attract women at an older age.

I just think the term "hitting the wall," should be kept exclusive to women.

 

[Ski pro]

Maybe not so much hitting the wall but a declining in one abilities might be a better way to put it.

In skiing, we have to find a balance between agility and strength. Whilst at this season I'm starting to make all sorts of connections I've never made before and unlocking different levels within my movements, this year I felt like soemthing had changed. Like I'd hit some sort of wall.

Obviously I plan to find a way over or round it but it's interesting to hear this sort of awareness of our bodies from other people's perspective and to know that it's just not me alone noticing it.

Making lifestyle changes drinking less and no Caffine has sure helped and no doubt will continue to in the future. I start planning for next seasons goals in June and I'll need to find a way to balance this agility and strength requirement, as well as sharpening my mental skills and getting my diet back on track.

 

[Chaos]

Relevant:

Check out this 96 year old man's mindset about hitting the male wall and how to have a "beachbody" at 90+ years age.

I think I haven't seen anyone before writing about "sexy 70 year old girls".

http://http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/charles-eugster-fittest-oap-on-planet

 

[Thomas More]

I think the wall is completely different for men than women. Women's wall is related to their fertility. As fertility begins to decline in their 30's and ends in their 40's, women start looking like a wilting flower, then become like dried up dead flowers as far as their sexual appeal. The exceptions are very few and far between.

In comparison, men remain fertile for life, and remain potentially valuable for protection and provision well into old age. So, I don't think men have a wall. At most men have a hill, hence the term over the hill.

I've recently had an insight about being in the game or out of the game. So many 30 and 40 year old women are completely unfuckable, because of the way they let themselves go. A fat young woman is a shame, but she can get thirsty, fit guys to fuck her, and they'll honestly like it. However, these women are a final and total wreck by their early 30's. Men are the same way. They let themselves go, until their simply not able to get new pussy. When I see a fat guy with dumpy style, I think he's basically checked out of the game, and is not competing for pussy.

Unfortunately, I started out skinny fat, then started developing a dad bod after I got married, then eventually was just plain fat. Since I was married, I didn't see myself as being in the game, and I wasn't trying. Back then, I thought looks didn't matter for men anyway. Of course now I know that fitness is very important to be desired for sex, as opposed to being desired for provisioning.

When I started dealing with my failing marriage, I started working out and lost weight, but I've never gotten all the way down to being slim. My recent insight on being in the game tells me that if I really want to be a player, and have the opportunity to get with attractive young women, then I have to actually lose the weight, and put on some serious muscles.

I will say that age makes a difference. Even chubby younger guys often have decent looking girlfriends. So, they're in the game simply by virtue of being younger, and not being a total wreck. As an older guy, I feel like I need to be truly fit if I want to be in the game. I've made significant progress from my low point, but I never truly put in the effort it takes to get into the game at my age.

So, that's what I'm working on now. I'm going to get truly fit, and truly get in the game as far as competing for the sexual attention of young, attractive women. The thing is, I'm convinced that at 51, if I get in shape, and have an upper middle class persona, with a moderately decent level of job prestige, then I will have young women with daddy issues wanting me to fuck them. So, from this point of view, I let myself go for most of my life, and was never truly in the game. Now I'm making a big play to get into the game, and I believe this is doable. Therefore, I haven't hit the wall at all.

As for NTP, with your excellent fitness and attractive lifestyle, you can probably bang attractive girls under 30 up to age 65 or so, and after that point can probably still bang good looking women in their 30's until age 75 or so. You'll have to stay highly fit, and rock some "Most Interesting Man in the World" style, but it appears to me that you've got that all locked down. In fact, these numbers are for hot western women. You can probably do even better in the various poosey paradise locations. Based on this, I'd say a man's wall can potentially be near 80. The one proviso is that a man has to make a higher and higher effort to stay in the game as he ages. For a guy in his 70's, you really need one in 10,000 fitness and style. Fortunately, I think this is actually doable, and that's my long term strategy.

 

[TheOllam]

Just realized this was an NTP thread!

Serious post. My Dad is turning 60 this year, and the wall is beginning to Punish him.

The bigger issue is actually emotional. Dude is done, and it's really sad for me to see him this way. He's holding down a crappy job at a mechanical contractor, but it's the end of the road for him. He has no plan for anything, he's just existing and turning nihilist.

He just does not listen, and takes no action to improve himself. Zero self care, no regular doctor/dentist visits, foolish diet, poor time management. He was blessed with amazing youthfulness his whole life, remaining healthy and disease free. But this blessing is now a curse because he does not really understand what's entailed in diet and thoughtful physical maintenance. He's still lean, but his energy levels are shot and he's coughing/hacking a lot.

I also realize how few friends he has these days. Just seems like there's nothing left. Not here to make a sob story, but does anyone have ideas on dealing with health issues for a parent that has lost drive? What if I told you what I say to him does not seem to matter anymore and he's tuned me out?

Thanks, making the best out of this NTP thread!

 

[SteezeySteve]

I have a question for some of the older guys here.

Those of you who reached high levels of athleticism,agility,strength,flexibility,and movement ability in your younger days how much of a struggle has it been to maintain this combination of traits as you've gotten older?

Strength and body composition seems 100% realistic to keep up for a while (to a certain point),but you dont hear a lot of guys discussing performance beyond strength and body composition.

 

[Dantes]

I'm 40 and my strength hasn't decreased at all. In fact, I lift about the same as when I was 19. Athleticism and agility has definitely decreased but I don't care. My days of competitive sports are long gone. I just want to look and feel good at this point. One thing I have noticed, is it takes longer to shed a few pounds as It did even 5 years ago.

 

[weambulance]

Just realized this was an NTP thread!

Serious post. My Dad is turning 60 this year, and the wall is beginning to Punish him.

The bigger issue is actually emotional. Dude is done, and it's really sad for me to see him this way. He's holding down a crappy job at a mechanical contractor, but it's the end of the road for him. He has no plan for anything, he's just existing and turning nihilist.

He just does not listen, and takes no action to improve himself. Zero self care, no regular doctor/dentist visits, foolish diet, poor time management. He was blessed with amazing youthfulness his whole life, remaining healthy and disease free. But this blessing is now a curse because he does not really understand what's entailed in diet and thoughtful physical maintenance. He's still lean, but his energy levels are shot and he's coughing/hacking a lot.

I also realize how few friends he has these days. Just seems like there's nothing left. Not here to make a sob story, but does anyone have ideas on dealing with health issues for a parent that has lost drive? What if I told you what I say to him does not seem to matter anymore and he's tuned me out?

Thanks, making the best out of this NTP thread!

I wish I had good advice for you. But all I can say is, speaking as someone who has fought depression for the last several years, it sounds to me like your father might be depressed.

That doesn't mean sad, or suicidal, despite what people generally think. Often it's just extreme apathy, a lack of caring about oneself and what will happen in the future.

I don't have good advice because I've found that the only effective way for me to fight depression is to recognize what is happening, when I'm falling into depression, and do certain things that help claw my way back to giving a shit. Other people are not helpful. I didn't even realize I was depressed for several years, so I have no idea how to make someone else realize they have internal issues they need to fix.

Maybe some other guys here have better insights. Start a new thread asking for advice, and you'll get a lot more eyes on it than you will here.

 

[SlickyBoy]

Just realized this was an NTP thread!

Serious post. My Dad is turning 60 this year, and the wall is beginning to Punish him.

The bigger issue is actually emotional. Dude is done, and it's really sad for me to see him this way. He's holding down a crappy job at a mechanical contractor, but it's the end of the road for him. He has no plan for anything, he's just existing and turning nihilist.

He just does not listen, and takes no action to improve himself. Zero self care, no regular doctor/dentist visits, foolish diet, poor time management. He was blessed with amazing youthfulness his whole life, remaining healthy and disease free. But this blessing is now a curse because he does not really understand what's entailed in diet and thoughtful physical maintenance. He's still lean, but his energy levels are shot and he's coughing/hacking a lot.

I also realize how few friends he has these days. Just seems like there's nothing left. Not here to make a sob story, but does anyone have ideas on dealing with health issues for a parent that has lost drive? What if I told you what I say to him does not seem to matter anymore and he's tuned me out?

Thanks, making the best out of this NTP thread!

There might be a lot more going on there, but at first blush I would recommend he talk to an endocrinologist who knows about hormone replacement therapy. A lot of doctors blow this off, but if he find the right guy he may get some solid advice and a program that can take care of a lot of what you are describing. We all get old, but it does not have to be a total downward spiral. Something to think about.

 

[DrCotard]

At least NTP leaved a worthy thread here. The other threads created by him are pretty useless thanks to his copy pasta skills.

 

[doc holliday]

Just realized this was an NTP thread!

Serious post. My Dad is turning 60 this year, and the wall is beginning to Punish him.

The bigger issue is actually emotional. Dude is done, and it's really sad for me to see him this way. He's holding down a crappy job at a mechanical contractor, but it's the end of the road for him. He has no plan for anything, he's just existing and turning nihilist.

He just does not listen, and takes no action to improve himself. Zero self care, no regular doctor/dentist visits, foolish diet, poor time management. He was blessed with amazing youthfulness his whole life, remaining healthy and disease free. But this blessing is now a curse because he does not really understand what's entailed in diet and thoughtful physical maintenance. He's still lean, but his energy levels are shot and he's coughing/hacking a lot.

I also realize how few friends he has these days. Just seems like there's nothing left. Not here to make a sob story, but does anyone have ideas on dealing with health issues for a parent that has lost drive? What if I told you what I say to him does not seem to matter anymore and he's tuned me out?

Thanks, making the best out of this NTP thread!

The hardest thing here is that you have to try and find a way to get your dad motivated to do something about his situation. If you can get him to go to a physician, not any physician but a concierge style physician who specializes in men's health issues, they can do a full blood work up, physical, hormone panel etc. then he can get a good idea as to what's going on. Maybe just make the appointment for him and drag him there once you find one you like.

Trt is certainly something for him to consider but it needs to be in context of a whole lifestyle change with diet, exercise. If you can get him to start on his physical health then once he starts seeing improvements here, then he can start working on other things like his teeth, and his emotional health. The right physician is critical here and you really need to talk to a few of them. It's hard at that age because a lot of people give up and it sounds like your dad is at that point. Somehow, you need to get him motivated but I would try to drag him to the doctor as a start. If you have any brothers or sisters you need to get them to help you. You can also try to get him to travel a bit to help him reacquire some zest for life. Some new age stuff like meditation could help too. Hell, get him a 20 yr old escort. Nothing like sex with a young chick to help get reinvigorated. Finding something to get him wanting to live again along with starting to take care of his health is how I would approach it. Keep trying with him, don't give up and try to find something, anything to jump start him.

 

[getdownonit]

Don Nelson. Without Comment.

 

[Eusebius]

After a lot of observation, I can say that the male wall hits at 55. You can be 55 and if you have been taking care of yourself, you'll look like a slightly craggy and grey-templed 35. That can be a pretty good look. But between 55 and 60 you'll get visibly old, almost no exceptions. A (well-kept up) 55 year old can be dating a beautiful 28 year old woman and look like a boss, the same guy at 60, he'll look more like a sugar daddy. That's just life.

 

[66Scorpio]

I haven't been in really good shape since my early 20s when I was in the army reserve. In terms of women, I guess I peaked in my early 30s. I did OK through my 40s as well. It was when I hit 50 that I really noticed things. My body just doesn't work the way it used too and I find myself having more "brain farts" than before. I need a bit of a renaissance because my wife is 18 years younger.