Testosterone.
Alot of factors influence testosterone, as we're coming to find out.
Diet, first of all. Too much vegetation, which has a natural inclination towards estrogen can lower T-levels. In addition, IMPURE foods, foods that are not free grown, but stockpiled in mass production areas, are prone to higher levels of Estrogen as well. Chemicals, such as those put on plants to protect them have estrogen-based elements that counter-act our T-levels.
To offset diet, I stay away from Soy products and anything with Soy. First because it causes E-levels to rise. And second, because it's a wasted protein. If you need to know the outcome of high E-levels, you need only look to the longevity of Asian cultures. Testosterone causes shorter lifespans, but is responsible for muscle mass. Hence why Asian live longer and healthier, but also much leaner, and to some degrees smaller and weaker.
When lifting, focus on the largest lifts first.
*Deadlifts/SumoLifts
*Bent Over Barbell Rows
*Squats
*Lunges
*Bench Press
Compound movements utilize the most overall exertion, and in turn, cause the greatest taxation to the largest muscles. More stress = more hormonal reactions.
Water + good biological protein = anabolic environment.
I have yet to do much research on the Andro products out, and I know the GOV has full intentions of taking them off the market, but from what I do know, most of them convert to Estrogen or some form of non-binding androgen. Alot of companies purport they work, but converting to Testosterone isn't quite as easy as it's made out to be. And if it's not converted to estrogen, then it's wasted money, or it converts to an estrogen, that ends up turning your protein consumption into fat deposits.
Losing fat ups T-levels as well. Fat is estrogen based, hence why women have loads more fat than women. In addition, fat releases a converter called aromatase. Aromatase converts Testosterone into Estrogen. If you have more fat, its becomes a cycle that your body inturn productes more Estrogen. Until you begin pumping iron, the estrogen doesn't go away. Another reason why dropping more fat UPS your anabolic state, and why doing cardio, in most cases (unless extremely heavy is wasteful).
One good point I discovered on losing fat.
The body doesn't KNOW the difference between running and lifting with intensity and speed (ie. high rep, quick sets). It only knows the heart rate is high, and in turn, burns the calories to stay on pace. Slow walking burns some fat, but few people want to be a gerbil for an hour in the gym. The BEST alternative to stimulating fat loss is doing high reps and moving quickly from exercise to exercise. For instance...
If you do cardio on off-lifting days...then the following might work....
Leg press 25 reps.
Db press 25 reps.
Tricep push downs 25 reps.
Lunges reps 25.
You get the picture. I fully enjoy this more and for us men, it works beautifully. Any fatigue you experience will be gone the next day, and you can get better at executing the exercise since you're using less weight, yet going at a faster pace. If you're lifting for pure size, then cardio shouldn't even be a thought. However, you might consider Bikram Yoga (the most intense form of Yoga I know of), as it stretches the whole body, requires tremendous mental and physical strength, increase stamina, and is the best variety to offset the rigid schedule of lifting 5 days/week.
A-Unit
