‘Roid Rage
Greetings to my six readers, who are largely a separate subset of humanity from my six Penn State football readers. Both are elite groups of erudite information-seekers (or they just like my bullshit). Here in this weekly series, I’m all about me — about my progress in dealing with Type 2 diabetes and related metabolic, orthopedic, and genitourinary issues. (That intro should reduce my readership to three!). We hope to show an unbiased approach to reporting both positive and negative effects of Mounjaro, a GLP-1 receptor agonist drug, which I was prescribed in June 2024.
Today, before giving you my boring weekly numbers, I’ll tell you a little about myself and my approach to Type 2 diabetes, then deal with my intriguing testosterone results. Not for the squeamish, to be sure!
If you’re new here I’ll briefly state that I’m documenting what some hack writers would call a journey, a metaphor I disparage when it is used to describe an approach to dealing with an illness. In the words of the late Pearl Williams, a trip around the world is not a cruise.
Pseudo-journeys are not all I disdain here repeatedly, ad nauseam. Many of my blogging and vlogging compadres characterize obesity as a “chronic, relapsing disease,” a categorization with which I disagree. In fact, that characterization is a regurgitated marketing pitch perpetrated by Big Pharma through their sponsorships of medical studies and the World Health Organization. If it’s a disease, then, by God, we have a drug to fix it. Just fork over $1,200 per month for Zepbound or Wegovy for the rest of your life, and we’ll cure your obesity “disease”. Yeah, right!
Focusing on Glucose First
Nevertheless, my primary focus here is on Mounjaro therapy for Type 2 diabetes blood glucose control. I am currently injecting a 7.5 mg/0.5 mL dose weekly. I won’t bore you with stuff I’ve presented here before. If you are new here, you can read through some of my back issues to see what tools I use for tracking various parameters and how I have changed my lifestyle in this pursuit.
Although I have lost weight, deporking has always been a secondary goal. Since starting on Mounjaro, I have learned that rapid weight loss comes at the cost of lost muscle, so beyond blood glucose control I have now shifted my secondary goal to rebuilding and preserving muscle mass. In prior issues I discussed my exercise program and low-carb, high-protein diet. Regardless of prioritization, this all ties together because more muscle mass will decrease insulin resistance, which will lower blood glucose, as will fat reduction. Still, while I would like to lose another 20-30 pounds, my wish to build muscle is a paramount. I’ll lose the weight, but very slowly.
Many have opined that GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs like Mounjaro are magic pills that automatically fix diabetes and transform fatsos into fashion models. Yet this complex system of human equations is non-linear and multivariate, and there is no magic pill. No therapy comes without cost, both financial and physiological. I’ve also written about how I would like to get off Mounjaro, perhaps by the end of this year. I do not want to be a lifelong addict, especially given the short remaining lifespan of a 78 year-old. But, I am mindful of studies that have shown considerable rebound effects linked to withdrawal from GLP-1 RA drugs like Mounjaro.
Gonad, Go!
In connection with my wish to build and keep muscle, I had my testosterone tested. Last week, I told you about my discussion with Dr. DeLorean (not his real name), whose conjecture was that my total testosterone results would come back between 225 and 350, which would be slightly low to average at my advanced age. But at those levels, he did not feel that supplementation would be appropriate. In any case, I am not seeking to engage in the current vogue of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). I ordered the testosterone tests “just because”—because I wanted to see if “low-T” would be an impediment to building muscle via resistance training.
Well, the results are in and it seems that my worst fears were unfounded. I am happy to say that Dr. DeLorean—he of little faith—was wrong again! My total testosterone is 745 ng/dL and free testosterone is 69.3 pg/mL. I am encouraged—elated even—by the confirmation of functioning ‘nads. DeLorean’s office called me this morning to tell me that he reacted similarly, saying that 745 is truly remarkable for a man my age. I told the lady on the phone, “I share his wonderment. Now, I must go out and punch somebody!”
Read on; I’ll tell you more about my muscles below in my self-aggrandizing pep talk.
Superman at 78: Building Muscle and Defying Sarcopenia
When I first started on Mounjaro back in June 2024, my primary focus was blood sugar control. What I didn’t anticipate was just how transformative this experience would be—not just in shedding sixty pounds, but in redefining my approach to aging, fitness, and muscle preservation. Now, at 78 years old, I’m not just managing type 2 diabetes; I’m actively building muscle, doing resistance training six days a week, and feeling stronger than I have in decades. And as my recent testosterone results suggest—total testosterone at 745 ng/dL (normal range 250 – 1100), free testosterone at 69.3 pg/mL (normal range 30.0 – 135.0)—I’m operating at levels that would make a much younger man jealous!
But let’s be clear: numbers are only part of the story. Strength training has become the linchpin of my success, and if there’s one message I want to emphasize to my readers, it’s this—unabated muscle loss is not inevitable as we age. Too many people resign themselves to frailty, thinking sarcopenia is just part of growing older. They give in—they concede. With the right approach—progressive resistance training, adequate protein intake, and consistent effort—you can not only preserve muscle but actively build it. I’m living proof of that. According to my cheap, Chinese smart scale, skeletal muscle has increased over seven percent since I started this non-journey.
Keepin’ It Real
Beyond shooing away sarcopenia, resistance training accompanied by a decent, high-protein diet devoid of crap food is essential to anyone on Mounjaro or other GLP-1 RA drugs. It takes hard work and mental commitment, particularly if you want to get off the needle at some point. I don’t want to be on Mounjaro for the rest of my life, but I do want to be physically active and eating properly for the rest of my life. Again, GLP-1 receptor agonists are not magic pills. Please do not regard them as a replacement for an active, healthful lifestyle!
My workout routine is no joke. I train six days a week, two hours a day, focusing on resistance exercises with dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, and machines, ensuring a mix of free weights and joint-friendly movements. I also incorporate some cardio—not excessive, just enough to support cardiovascular health without compromising muscle gains. And I try to squeeze in a 5-7 mile hike every week or so. This approach has allowed me to keep my strength and prevent the dreaded muscle loss often linked to rapid weight loss and aging. If you’re losing weight, especially with GLP-1 receptor agonists like Mounjaro, you must be diligent about resistance training. Weight loss without strength training will strip away not just fat, but muscle—something we can’t afford as we age.
Putting It All Together
Of course, none of this happens in isolation. Nutrition plays an enormous role. I’ve dialed in my protein intake, ensuring I get at least 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight. I supplement wisely—creatine monohydrate for strength, collagen protein for joint health, and Feosol Complete for iron absorption. Hydration is non-negotiable, and I prioritize sleep and recovery to let my body rebuild and adapt. At 78, I can’t afford to take shortcuts, and frankly, I don’t want to. The discipline of this lifestyle is part of what keeps me thriving.
Looking ahead, my goal is simple: continue proving that aging does not have to mean decline. I provide these updates not just to document my progress, but to inspire others—whether you’re in your 50s, 60s, 70s, or beyond—to take control of your strength and longevity. Don’t settle for frailty; severe muscle loss is not inevitable. Commit to training, proper nutrition, and an active lifestyle. Move yo’ ass from Planet Fatness to Planet Fitness! You heard it from the Turkey, if anyone asks
And if my testosterone results tell me anything, it’s that I’m doing something right! And my balls still work. That’s something, a-ight!
So, am I a seventy-eight-year-old Superman? Well, maybe not. But I feel pretty damn close—and if I can do it, so can you. Let’s keep pushing, lifting, and proving that age is just a number.
This Week’s Numbers on Mounjaro
Still on the minimum dose of 5.0 mg, my average fasting blood glucose for the week was 93 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L), down from 98 mg/dL (5.44 mmol/L) last week. My body weight (unlike my remaining belly) remained flat at 187.2 lbs (85.1 kg). My only dietary transgression during the week was a Waffle House hamburger I choked down at my step-grandson’s sixth birthday. Next week, I’ll be moving up to the 7.5 mg dose of Mounjaro.
With HbA1c at 5.4% (36 mmol/mol) and skeletal muscle increasing as a percentage of body weight, Mounjaro therapy is taking me in the right direction. I am emphasizing the strength training because I believe it is essential at my age and I want to encourage others to feel its benefits. If I am to be a cheerleader, it will be to promote healthy lifestyle instead of pushing drugs. And if I can do it, you sure as hell can!
Au Revoir…
As always, I hope these updates have provided you with encouragement and information for your own non-journey! I’ll be back next week with more insights into dealing with Type 2 diabetes along with commentary about GLP-1 receptor agonists like Mounjaro. In the meantime, be healthy!
