Advice - lifting and libido

RPJMRP · 2017-07-28T03:33:27+00:00

They have some very knowledgeable members on this sub ranging from testosterone levels and how to affect them to nutrition to lifting. The point being is I'm an amateur compared to those guys.

With that said, I run a large caloric deficit. I find my metabolism is shit. After about 4 weeks of a program on a deficit, I feel my body start to wear down. I usually experience a libido drop at this time. I usually take an extra 2-3 days off and take in a little more fat, carbs, maybe some fruit.

The point being is it sounds like you may be under recovering a bit. Up your caloric intake 300-400 calories and see how you feel. Adjust from their according to the mirror and scale. Also- don't under value getting some sun or getting your vitamin d levels pushed up. If you're not already doing it, take some vitamin d and some cod liver oil (fish oil) before bed.

Again, there are much more aware guys on this sub that will chime in, but these are the things that help me.

war_drunk · 2017-07-28T06:29:48+00:00

I find the biggest effect on libido is fat intake; low fat for me equaled low libido. I follow Berkhan's Leangains protocol, which is IF (Intermittent Fasting) and calorie cycling (lower fat/higher carb on workout days, flip it for rest days) and it's been good to me. Deadlift days, if my intensity is good, I'm so horny the crack of dawn isn't safe. Just my experience, but give it a go for a few months and test it for yourself. No reason not to supplement with zinc/magnesium/potassium etc, and make sure your sleep is good quality. I used Fitbit's sleep tracking mechanism, which was good, but now that I'm using an Apple watch, I'm investigating some third party sleep-tracking apps.

discobolus_ · 2017-07-28T12:10:45+00:00

5x5 is not really enough volume to trigger an overtraining response....although if you've been working at the top end of your strength levles for a long time, it can be overtaxing to your CNS. I wouldn't expect this to be the case in week 7 though. But never be afraid to knock 10-15 lbs off your training weight and work back up.

Stress, sleep, and diet are other factors.

Regarding your diet, if IF and 'hardly any carbs' is new for you, that might be causing you some problems. I used to be a low carb true believer....I'd lose a ton of weight early but then around week 6, I'd start going downhill mentally. Not saying ditch your diet already, but always be assessing.

The_Litz · 2017-07-28T03:48:24+00:00

u/RPJMRP is right, too much of a cal deficit will make you feel a bit deflated.

Check your sleep routine, too little sleep will mess with your testosterone as well as limit muscle growth according to my bro science. Muscles only grow when you sleep!

If there are no obvious lifestyle factors and you are over 40 check your T levels. Heck, if you are over 30 check them.

But ultimately, if you are satisfied with your sex life, then there is no problem. Too be honest, if I had to service a SO and 2 plates......

As for that left arm, I was going to suggest to start using your left hand for fapping but this is a serious sub...

straius · 2017-07-28T14:56:05+00:00

Only thing I have to add is that low fat in your diet will also impact libido. So check your macros and make sure you're getting enough fat (avocado, olive oil, omega-3s, etc...)

Other than that, your body SHOULD be feeling good about exercise after 7 weeks. When you first start up it will be a lot of new stress and you'll feel like shit, drained, generally not well. But as you stay consistent your body will start to feel happy after lifting and that's when increases in libido are usually reported.

If you're still feeling like shit after workouts you may need to train harder and give yourself plenty of rest and sleep in between.

Consider posting to r/fitness about libido and lifting too

If you're on a keto diet, the fog from switching over can screw with people in different ways. If that's the source upping carbs will help.

318jimmynow · 2017-07-31T19:27:22+00:00

When people first start to lift it's not unusual for your dominant side to respond more. I would advise against trying to even things out by doing single limb movements like you are thinking. There are plenty of single limb movements, like DB press, that are highly effective but trying to manage different volume levels on each side is a slippery slope.

Stick with the 5X5 and keep at it till you hit a double body weight squat. You will fill out everything you need to.

NordViking2137 · 2017-07-28T13:00:29+00:00

You want to make sure diet and sleep are locked down foremost. For me eating a lot of small meals during the day keeps my metabolism booming and lots of energy boosts throughout the day. Taking vitamin D3 and b12 (methylcobalamim) daily. There are 2 different kinds of b12 and your body takes that kind better. Also, I take a vegan protein supplement powder that also has vitamins in it. In regards to carbs, you do need some. Just make sure your eating good carbs such as whole grains. It's white bread, white pastas, donuts, etc that you want to stay away from. They're bad because they've been manipulated from their natural state as a whole grain. Oats, whole grain breads, brown rice, those sort of things are good carbs.

SeethingMonkey · 2017-07-29T04:49:24+00:00

Everyone else covered the diet aspect. Though Would like to put out there, if you are trying to bulk you need to eat at a surplus. If you are trying to cut, make sure you get enough protein, but you won't seem much in terms of gains on your lifts.

Also, anabolicmen website (don't know if we are allowed to link here just google it) has really good articles on increased T through diet. Get some calipers for your body fat % and calculate your TDEE.

As far as the one arm stronger than the other, use dumbbells. You can alternate hands or use them at the same time, but lift to the weak arm. So if you can only do say 10 rows on your left, but you can do 15 on your right, stop the right side at 10 until the left catches up. You will even out yourself soon enough.

Some might disagree here, but I think supplementing with small muscle isolation is really a waste of time and energy for newbs. If you want to supplement, I would do the same or similar movements with dumbbells as your big lifts. For instance, on benchpress day: do 3x8-12 incline DB press, 3x8-12 DB Press. Overhead press day: do 3x8-12 DB press, Pullups, Dips. Lunges or lightweight front squats once a week (I know SL5x5 has you doing squats every day). Alternate low bar and high bar squats and get your ass to the floor. You get the idea. Compliment your big lifts and ignore all the fuckarounditis dudes at the gym. Most don't know what a program even looks like. And fucking stretch. Still don't understand why so many guys are afraid of stretching. If you increase your flexibility, you will increase your lifts.

Deadlift day I want to come home and rip my wife's clothes off and fuck her on the floor in the kitchen (and sometimes do just that as long as the kids aren't around). When you can deadlift 315 or more, you will feel like a fucking beast. Keep working my brother.

Title	Advice - lifting and libido
Author	MisfitPL9
Upvotes	1
Comments	15
Date	July 28, 2017 2:40 AM UTC (9 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askMRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/askMRP/comments/6q0ymz/advice_lifting_and_libido/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askMRP/advice-lifting-and-libido.205792 https://theredarchive.com/post/205792

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