Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Weakness, Loss Of Strength And Weight Gain Despite Working Out?
Question: I have a sports specific question, my boyfriend has been weight training for years, and in the last 2 years he's been really struggling, no personal record gains. he's actually decreasing in strength and getting fat. He finally consulted a crossfit gym trainer, sports nutritionist, and a homeopathic doctor about trying to correct these issues, however while on their diet plan and exercise regime, he lost more strength and gained 20lbs. He's had blood work and a saliva test done to check his adrenals and what not. nothing out of the ordinary. every "proffessional" keeps throwing their hands up and saying they don't know what to do. He's as strict as it gets when it comes to meals and sleep regimes. The doctors we have in our area are general practicioners and they don't know what to say to him either. any recommendations on where to go from here? these people (including my boyfriend) research the hell out of proper nutrition and macros and suplements etc, they arent getting anywhere. Kinda feel like we need DR. House from the tv show at this point
Brief Answer:
Not Dr House but I'll try to help!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Since you're confirming that he eats and sleeps according to his doctor's instructions, I'll mention some potential explanations for his condition. I'll assume he hasn't changed his exercise regime.
You haven't mentioned the thyroid. I'm sure he's done a TSH test but I have to ask, because this is one of the most important tests when someone is overweight.
You haven't mentioned any symptoms or signs like loss of male hair, change in appearance, reduced libido, swollen breasts etc
If his TSH and the rest of common blood tests are normal as well then I can only think that it's his age.
He is 39 now, his problems started at 37. Most athletes end their career even earlier than his age. Our bodies start to decline after our 25 years or so. This decline is not evident until after the 30th year and sometimes after the 35th year of age. It's not the same for everyone though and you can't really predict when it will happen. But it does! Muscular power is harder to maintain and the same applies for stamina etc. The body tends to gain weight every year - to gain fat actually. And there are genetic factors that may come into play. Perhaps his father got some extra weight at about the same age?
Having said all that, I still believe he should re-check his diet and activity schedule. The most common mistakes are in the diet, because people tend to underestimate the calories they get from snacks. The opposite applies for physical activity. People tend to overestimate their activity. If he gets more tired at work then perhaps he's cheating a bit in the gym? I'm just asking questions...
If he does everything right and has no endocrinological problems then it has to be the aging process.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like further clarifications, please use your follow up questions.
Kind Regards!
Not Dr House but I'll try to help!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Since you're confirming that he eats and sleeps according to his doctor's instructions, I'll mention some potential explanations for his condition. I'll assume he hasn't changed his exercise regime.
You haven't mentioned the thyroid. I'm sure he's done a TSH test but I have to ask, because this is one of the most important tests when someone is overweight.
You haven't mentioned any symptoms or signs like loss of male hair, change in appearance, reduced libido, swollen breasts etc
If his TSH and the rest of common blood tests are normal as well then I can only think that it's his age.
He is 39 now, his problems started at 37. Most athletes end their career even earlier than his age. Our bodies start to decline after our 25 years or so. This decline is not evident until after the 30th year and sometimes after the 35th year of age. It's not the same for everyone though and you can't really predict when it will happen. But it does! Muscular power is harder to maintain and the same applies for stamina etc. The body tends to gain weight every year - to gain fat actually. And there are genetic factors that may come into play. Perhaps his father got some extra weight at about the same age?
Having said all that, I still believe he should re-check his diet and activity schedule. The most common mistakes are in the diet, because people tend to underestimate the calories they get from snacks. The opposite applies for physical activity. People tend to overestimate their activity. If he gets more tired at work then perhaps he's cheating a bit in the gym? I'm just asking questions...
If he does everything right and has no endocrinological problems then it has to be the aging process.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like further clarifications, please use your follow up questions.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
his lab work came back normal, he hasn't had any increased hair loss orloss in libido, he's not more tired during the day or cheating on snacks...he is suspicious its his age however the sudden increase in weight is what concerned me. its as if his body doesnt digest vegetables well and spikes his insulin harder than most people. He is greatly concerned that his sudden loss of strength is due to early onset of a degenerative muscle disease. as the "pros" all seem dumfounded, I guess we'll just keep tweaking his diet and exercise til something either works or stops the downhill progression. I was hoping that maybe you might have an idea for something we hadnt thought of but it doesnt seem so. thank you anyway
Brief Answer:
let me add something more
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I'm not a trainer but let me add a few words about exercising. Strength is gained faster when we exercise at near maximal intensity (80-85% of XXXXXXX muscle power) which will allow for 5-8 repetitions. Lower intensity (and more repetitions) may increase muscle power but only modestly.
I don't have any other ideas regarding diseases that may cause this situation but a normal creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) is very much against the diagnosis of myopathies, as is the lack of myopathy symptoms (pain, stiffness, twitching, slow reflexes etc). If you're very concerned about myopathies there is a test that can detect subtle alterations in muscle function (electromyography). You should consult a neurologist for that.
Best wishes!
let me add something more
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I'm not a trainer but let me add a few words about exercising. Strength is gained faster when we exercise at near maximal intensity (80-85% of XXXXXXX muscle power) which will allow for 5-8 repetitions. Lower intensity (and more repetitions) may increase muscle power but only modestly.
I don't have any other ideas regarding diseases that may cause this situation but a normal creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) is very much against the diagnosis of myopathies, as is the lack of myopathy symptoms (pain, stiffness, twitching, slow reflexes etc). If you're very concerned about myopathies there is a test that can detect subtle alterations in muscle function (electromyography). You should consult a neurologist for that.
Best wishes!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
