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Diet and Exercise on ADT

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User
Posted 01 Dec 2024 at 23:21

Hi everyone


I have been on HT for about 19 months now - lots of side effects.


One is that I have put on about 10kgs of weight around my stomach. I have tried eating less, more veg, more fruit, less processed foods, less fat and doing more cardio exercise (but not resistence training yet). None of this has made a difference and my weight continues on an upward trajectory. 


Can anyone point me to a good resource that will help me get this nutrition and exercise regime working for me? 

User
Posted 18 Jan 2025 at 22:45

Barry, I can't give you comparative V02 figures but based on Strava my cycling performance dropped about 20% during HT. Now, 2 years after ending HT, I'm back at close to normal and my VO2 is around 47 [according to Garmin]. Of course you do age during this process and I feel as though 3 years of taking on cancer with HT might have been equivalent to about 5 years of ageing but it's a small price to pay. I'm 77 but even at this age recovery to "normal" is achievable.


Jules

Edited by member 18 Jan 2025 at 22:54  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 19 Jan 2025 at 04:37

Yes Barry, the absolute VO2 figure from a Garmin watch is probably meaningless but at least it's flattering and that helps. 


I was initially set for 3 years of HT but my psa stayed undetectable so I was let off at 2. Lots of discussion on here about duration of HT of course but given its side effects I'm glad to have left it behind.


You've done some great work to keep your weight stable and muscle strength up with weight/strength training. Not having testosterone can mess with your head and I know my drop in performance got to me at times but I would guess that your drop in VO2  will bounce back when your testosterone returns. I was lucky enough to be given a year's free gym subscription when my treatment started and that helped.


I probably should have said that erectile function was pretty much written off for me after the RT/HT experience but most men struggle anyway at this age and given my partner has been through menopause, there's some sort of equivalence happening. Testosterone came back well for me but clearly that's not the only factor involved.


Jules

User
Posted 02 Dec 2024 at 06:41

Hi Steve.


I had surgery so haven't personally experienced much hormone therapy or it's side effects. However, from posts on here, a lot of people on your treatment path have suffered the same side effects.


This link seems to explain the weight gain and may be helpful to you.


https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/hormone-symptoms/sex-hormones-weight-muscle 


I'm not medically trained, but it seems that your weight gain, due to the physical changes caused by hormones to your body are, to a degree, 'beyond your control'. 

User
Posted 02 Dec 2024 at 17:44

Hi Steve 


I put about 20 pounds on during hormone therapy, which I’m still receiving.


I went on the 4/3 diet and the weight dropped off me, I’ve lost nearly 2 stone.


Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, I have 600 calories a day, the rest of the week I eat normally but lay off the chocolate and cakes. 
I also drink alcohol 4 days a week.


Give it a go!

User
Posted 13 Jan 2025 at 12:28

I had HDR Brachytherapy, 5 weeks of RT in and have been on HT for nearly 2 years now.
I've gained nearly 15kgs and have a severe drop in fitness levels.
I'm 56 and had reasonable fitness levels - I'd didn't get out of breath putting my shoes on put it that way.


Last month I started walking, just a mile a day. And it absolutely kills me - it's like a I've ran a marathon.
But I'll persist and it will get better.

It's a slow process and I thinks it's this that takes the longest to get used to, for your mind to come to terms with it - in my head I'm still 16 and can run 100m in 12 seconds - you have to give yourself room to heal.

User
Posted 13 Jan 2025 at 21:44
Steve, I put on weight round my tummy too when on HT (in my case I had salvage RT six years after surgery). The good news is that once I came off it, my weight did come down although not quite to the starting point.

However I can't answer your question, in the sense I never managed to control it by diet or exercise. I did try to keep a sensible balanced diet throughout and afterwards (plenty of fruit and veg etc) and maintain exercise levels (which needed more motivation than before) but the weight still went on. And after HT stopped (with a bit of a lag) the weight coming off was with the same diet/exercise.

I have a friend on long term HT, and he seems to have stabilised in terms of weight, I must ask him what strategy worked.
User
Posted 14 Jan 2025 at 04:31

Hi Steve,


’Dont beat yourself up about this’ I was told by my CNS. We have enough to deal with from the awful(for some) side effects of HT without worrying about going on diets….you need some pleasure from life whilst on ADT.


I had my last HT jab in April 24 and have not lost any weight yet. I put on 10kg in total during HT and I can feel it. It’s not helped by the  holidays and cruises I’ve had to keep me sane during the treatment. I’m currently in Fuerteventura until the end of January, trying to be careful but I just need to look at biscuit and I put on a Kilo😩


My son runs a Nutrition club back in Scotland - he is a Herbalife distributor and gets great results from people. Sorry I’m not trying to sell Herbalife, but I’ve used it before with good results so when I get home I’m going to be trying it again for 1 month to see if it helps. Basically you have a protein shake for breakfast and lunch, then a ‘normal’ dinner. They also have protein based snack bars and savoury snacks which are tasty.


During treatment I just found I didn’t have the motivation to lose weight, the side effects are bad enough as it is without punishing yourself any further on diets. I was also concerned about diabetes, so bought a testing kit to check my sugar levels-fortunately they are ok. I also check my blood pressure which is fine.


I'm also going to give up alcohol during that period and get lots of exercise. I’ll let you know how I get on.


Good luck with the rest of your treatment.


Derek

User
Posted 14 Jan 2025 at 04:39

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
It looks like something we have to put up with until after HT and testosterone returns.


Yes, I had the same experience as others here. Max weight gain was about 9kg. Things definitely improved with the return of testosterone but I have to admit that as well as putting on fat I'd lost muscle, so returning to "normal" weight was a bit deceptive as the muscle has taken longer to bring back, than it took to remove the fat.


As Derek says, protein shakes can be useful in helping to reduce overall intake. They're also a good idea because both ageing and prostate cancer cause your body to need a higher daily protein intake, to the extent that it's a little hard to manage the increase just through a normal diet.


I know it seems like a long wait till you're back to normal but it will happen!


Jules

User
Posted 14 Jan 2025 at 09:15

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member


Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
I I have to admit that as well as putting on fat I'd lost muscle,




Yep me too - quite dramatically.
I just haven't got any where near the strength I had.
I play bass in a band, and due to various personal changes and 'musical differences' I haven't gigged for 12 months. Got a gig in April and not looking forward to the graft of lugging very heavy gear about.

I've got 18 months of HT left and by god I can't wait! :D

User
Posted 18 Jan 2025 at 18:08

I'm now one year into HT, having had RT in May/June. I have undertaken resistance training for the duration and walk about 4 miles a day but am finding that my VO2 max as measured by my smartwatch has decreased consistently throughout the year. My weight hasn't increased and I do feel stronger by doing weights twice a week but I'm concerned that my cardio fitness seems to be on a steadily downward trajectory. I will be on decapeptyl for another two years probably - does anyone else have experience of HT on their cardio fitness?

User
Posted 18 Jan 2025 at 23:15

Many thanks Jules. I use an Apple Watch 9 and looking at other blogs, many feel that the algorithms calculating VO2max and Strava are very unreliable, although Garmin is more highly rated than the Apple Watch.


HT does mess up one's metabolism in many ways and it's encouraging that your numbers have improved after stopping the treatment. I'm very impressed by your VO2 of 47 at age 77. Mine is about 27 and I consider myself quite a fit 74 year old! I am concerned that it has decreased steadily from about 32 a year ago but it may just be a very unreliable metric. Did you have 3 years HT?

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 02 Dec 2024 at 06:41

Hi Steve.


I had surgery so haven't personally experienced much hormone therapy or it's side effects. However, from posts on here, a lot of people on your treatment path have suffered the same side effects.


This link seems to explain the weight gain and may be helpful to you.


https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/practical-emotional-support/hormone-symptoms/sex-hormones-weight-muscle 


I'm not medically trained, but it seems that your weight gain, due to the physical changes caused by hormones to your body are, to a degree, 'beyond your control'. 

User
Posted 02 Dec 2024 at 13:36

Thanks Adrian56


it certainly seems that way to me but it is the tantalising ‘may help’ in the diet and exercise  advice I was latching onto, but so far found nothing that works for me.

User
Posted 02 Dec 2024 at 17:44

Hi Steve 


I put about 20 pounds on during hormone therapy, which I’m still receiving.


I went on the 4/3 diet and the weight dropped off me, I’ve lost nearly 2 stone.


Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, I have 600 calories a day, the rest of the week I eat normally but lay off the chocolate and cakes. 
I also drink alcohol 4 days a week.


Give it a go!

User
Posted 02 Dec 2024 at 17:51
Thanks Paul

One of my friends suggested a fasting diet similar to the one that worked for you. Not tried anything like that to date but ready to try.

User
Posted 02 Dec 2024 at 19:52

At least you don’t have to suffer every day.


 

Edited by member 02 Dec 2024 at 19:54  | Reason: Grammar

User
Posted 13 Jan 2025 at 12:28

I had HDR Brachytherapy, 5 weeks of RT in and have been on HT for nearly 2 years now.
I've gained nearly 15kgs and have a severe drop in fitness levels.
I'm 56 and had reasonable fitness levels - I'd didn't get out of breath putting my shoes on put it that way.


Last month I started walking, just a mile a day. And it absolutely kills me - it's like a I've ran a marathon.
But I'll persist and it will get better.

It's a slow process and I thinks it's this that takes the longest to get used to, for your mind to come to terms with it - in my head I'm still 16 and can run 100m in 12 seconds - you have to give yourself room to heal.

User
Posted 13 Jan 2025 at 21:44
Steve, I put on weight round my tummy too when on HT (in my case I had salvage RT six years after surgery). The good news is that once I came off it, my weight did come down although not quite to the starting point.

However I can't answer your question, in the sense I never managed to control it by diet or exercise. I did try to keep a sensible balanced diet throughout and afterwards (plenty of fruit and veg etc) and maintain exercise levels (which needed more motivation than before) but the weight still went on. And after HT stopped (with a bit of a lag) the weight coming off was with the same diet/exercise.

I have a friend on long term HT, and he seems to have stabilised in terms of weight, I must ask him what strategy worked.
User
Posted 13 Jan 2025 at 23:13
Thanks Andy 3000 and J-B

It looks like something we have to put up with until after HT and testosterone returns. It is very frustrating but the last few weeks I have not added to my weight so hoping I have reached the limit for now.

Good advice Andy re taking the time to heal and encouraging to hear from J-B that you managed to take some weight off after treatment ended. Was hoping to get rid of some weight before then but it seems i need some patience.
User
Posted 14 Jan 2025 at 04:31

Hi Steve,


’Dont beat yourself up about this’ I was told by my CNS. We have enough to deal with from the awful(for some) side effects of HT without worrying about going on diets….you need some pleasure from life whilst on ADT.


I had my last HT jab in April 24 and have not lost any weight yet. I put on 10kg in total during HT and I can feel it. It’s not helped by the  holidays and cruises I’ve had to keep me sane during the treatment. I’m currently in Fuerteventura until the end of January, trying to be careful but I just need to look at biscuit and I put on a Kilo😩


My son runs a Nutrition club back in Scotland - he is a Herbalife distributor and gets great results from people. Sorry I’m not trying to sell Herbalife, but I’ve used it before with good results so when I get home I’m going to be trying it again for 1 month to see if it helps. Basically you have a protein shake for breakfast and lunch, then a ‘normal’ dinner. They also have protein based snack bars and savoury snacks which are tasty.


During treatment I just found I didn’t have the motivation to lose weight, the side effects are bad enough as it is without punishing yourself any further on diets. I was also concerned about diabetes, so bought a testing kit to check my sugar levels-fortunately they are ok. I also check my blood pressure which is fine.


I'm also going to give up alcohol during that period and get lots of exercise. I’ll let you know how I get on.


Good luck with the rest of your treatment.


Derek

User
Posted 14 Jan 2025 at 04:39

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
It looks like something we have to put up with until after HT and testosterone returns.


Yes, I had the same experience as others here. Max weight gain was about 9kg. Things definitely improved with the return of testosterone but I have to admit that as well as putting on fat I'd lost muscle, so returning to "normal" weight was a bit deceptive as the muscle has taken longer to bring back, than it took to remove the fat.


As Derek says, protein shakes can be useful in helping to reduce overall intake. They're also a good idea because both ageing and prostate cancer cause your body to need a higher daily protein intake, to the extent that it's a little hard to manage the increase just through a normal diet.


I know it seems like a long wait till you're back to normal but it will happen!


Jules

User
Posted 14 Jan 2025 at 09:15

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member


Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
I I have to admit that as well as putting on fat I'd lost muscle,




Yep me too - quite dramatically.
I just haven't got any where near the strength I had.
I play bass in a band, and due to various personal changes and 'musical differences' I haven't gigged for 12 months. Got a gig in April and not looking forward to the graft of lugging very heavy gear about.

I've got 18 months of HT left and by god I can't wait! :D

User
Posted 14 Jan 2025 at 17:07

Thank you all for your encouraging and sensible advice. I guess in the overall scheme of things, carrying some extra weight is not the worst problem. But I thought it would be something I could control and get back to normal while I grew breasts, lost muscle, lost energy, lost potency and had dealt with a new set of aches and pains. I should be patient, I am lucky to be near the end of my treatment and it seems to have been effective.

I hope everything goes well for you guys.
User
Posted 18 Jan 2025 at 18:08

I'm now one year into HT, having had RT in May/June. I have undertaken resistance training for the duration and walk about 4 miles a day but am finding that my VO2 max as measured by my smartwatch has decreased consistently throughout the year. My weight hasn't increased and I do feel stronger by doing weights twice a week but I'm concerned that my cardio fitness seems to be on a steadily downward trajectory. I will be on decapeptyl for another two years probably - does anyone else have experience of HT on their cardio fitness?

User
Posted 18 Jan 2025 at 22:45

Barry, I can't give you comparative V02 figures but based on Strava my cycling performance dropped about 20% during HT. Now, 2 years after ending HT, I'm back at close to normal and my VO2 is around 47 [according to Garmin]. Of course you do age during this process and I feel as though 3 years of taking on cancer with HT might have been equivalent to about 5 years of ageing but it's a small price to pay. I'm 77 but even at this age recovery to "normal" is achievable.


Jules

Edited by member 18 Jan 2025 at 22:54  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 18 Jan 2025 at 23:15

Many thanks Jules. I use an Apple Watch 9 and looking at other blogs, many feel that the algorithms calculating VO2max and Strava are very unreliable, although Garmin is more highly rated than the Apple Watch.


HT does mess up one's metabolism in many ways and it's encouraging that your numbers have improved after stopping the treatment. I'm very impressed by your VO2 of 47 at age 77. Mine is about 27 and I consider myself quite a fit 74 year old! I am concerned that it has decreased steadily from about 32 a year ago but it may just be a very unreliable metric. Did you have 3 years HT?

User
Posted 19 Jan 2025 at 04:37

Yes Barry, the absolute VO2 figure from a Garmin watch is probably meaningless but at least it's flattering and that helps. 


I was initially set for 3 years of HT but my psa stayed undetectable so I was let off at 2. Lots of discussion on here about duration of HT of course but given its side effects I'm glad to have left it behind.


You've done some great work to keep your weight stable and muscle strength up with weight/strength training. Not having testosterone can mess with your head and I know my drop in performance got to me at times but I would guess that your drop in VO2  will bounce back when your testosterone returns. I was lucky enough to be given a year's free gym subscription when my treatment started and that helped.


I probably should have said that erectile function was pretty much written off for me after the RT/HT experience but most men struggle anyway at this age and given my partner has been through menopause, there's some sort of equivalence happening. Testosterone came back well for me but clearly that's not the only factor involved.


Jules

 
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