Thread: Need some advice on getting started...

I'm a 67 year old type 2 diabetic truck driver, in otherwise very good health. My doc says I have to get more physical excercise. So I've decided to take advantage of the excercise (machines) room that's part of our apartment complex facilities. My goal is to workout 3 times a week. At 6'2"/220lbs, my weight is about right but the distribution is way out of wack (typical beer belly that has to go).

I really don't care about building an award winning body. I don't even know if a guy my age is capable of developing muscle, given the fact that the body has stopped producing growth hormone, testerone, and who knows what else that's probably required. But if a little of that is produced, and I feel better, with more energy, that will suffice. I've also heard that this kind of excercise can re-enable my sex life (i.e. get me hard once in a while).That would make the effort worthwhile by itself!

So I'm going to need some supplements to help the process along. I have great difficulty swallowing pills and capsules, so whatever it is will have to be a powder or liquid. Given their typically hefty cost, two will be about my limit

I'd be interested in your suggestions that will get me the most bang for the buck. Many thanks.

Wes N

Truck driver just got back.

Many thanks for all the responses. I'll respond to several of the points made.
1. Just had a thorough cardiac exam, including the treadmill. My heart is A-OK.
2. The type 2 diabetes is barely a bother. Type one, that involves insulin shots, is much more of a concern, but I don't have to deal with that.

My diet is pretty much whatever I feel like eating. My blood sugar is always below 175 and my cholesterol has been coming down steadlly for the past 12 months. And I have a thorough medical exam set for next Thursday. It will include blood work. My doc has been scheduling these about 3 times a year. I suspect he's ringing the register but it doesn't hurt, so why not.
So, healthwise, I think I'm in pretty good shape.

3. The supplements suggested include a multi vitamin (already take that), fish oil/fatty acids (I already take one of the best), and whey. Not sure what whey is, and what it does for the body. But if its a powder I'll take it. Suggestions welcome.

4. What is a 'test booster' Won't mind taking it...just don't know what it's supposed to do.

I have, in the pantry, a 2 pound jar of Amplify (B Lactoglobulin...an "advanced amino acid blend"). Got it at GNC several months ago, when my wife and I thought we were ready to start the excercise thing. The sales person told me that taking this powder (it's chocolate flavored) with water before and after excercise would prevent sore muscles the next day. We did do some excercise that should have produced sore muscles, but that never happened. So it seems to work. Is this stuff OK?

Guess that's it for now. Again, appreciate everybody's comeback. Sorry I'm so late responding.

Wes N