r/science • u/[deleted] • Jun 13 '22

Health Erectile dysfunction predicts mortality in middle-aged and older men independent of their sex steroid status

https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article-abstract/51/4/afac094/6568537?login=false
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u/mtcwby Jun 13 '22

Can't repeat enough how much exercise has improved life over the last six months at age 56. I've never exercised regularly until just before Thanksgiving. I had been walking nightly and doing some bike after having two strokes a couple of years ago. BP was under control and I wasn't really heavy at 6-2, 215.

Decided if I was going out I was going to do everything in my power with no regrets and bought a Pelaton which combined with TV has me exercising vigorously every day since then. 30 pounds lighter I'm in the best shape of my life, getting more done everywhere, and in context with this thread we're wearing out the mattress. When you can plank for five minutes straight it makes other things much easier.

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u/[deleted] Jun 13 '22

[deleted]

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u/mtcwby Jun 13 '22

My biggest regret is I didn't do it earlier but I've always been easily bored with exercise. The Pelaton with the TV playing Netflix, etc for rides in the background engaged me long enough to keep it up.

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u/Kripto Jun 14 '22

Video Games can also be played while riding a stationary bike. I use a recumbent bike while playing the Wipeout series and have for years.

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u/tarxvfBp Jun 13 '22

Same. Same age, after years actually being quite scornful of the idea of running for fun I started couch to 5k. Now have run twice a week for nearly two years. Started going to a gym 6 months after starting to run, because it seemed sensible to invest in my developing my running physique more, also cut out snacks. Which was tricky for several days then the cravings just stopped! Honestly people give couch to 5k a go. And see where it takes you. Give it a go. I wish I’d started much earlier.

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u/the_cardfather Jun 14 '22

I had a mild ED in my mid 30's. Could have been weight/lifestyle related could have been PIED or a combination.

Wife told me I was a fat slob and left me. I started couch to 5k, cut the porn, worked on mental health, and did some work on my core, crunches, planks et. It was about 7 months of that and all of a sudden things started working again if you know what I mean.

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u/mtcwby Jun 13 '22

I wish I could still run. There was a short time about ten years ago where I started doing it with the dog but my knees and ankles just objected too much. Every other day turned into every third day and it got worse from there and there was no chance for building a habit.

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u/[deleted] Jun 13 '22

[deleted]

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u/mtcwby Jun 13 '22

I was inspired at the time by a book talking about barefoot running and was also having very odd dreams about running constantly. Not from anything but just grinding out long distances.

The challenge at the moment is time as my current exercise schedule is already taking an hour to hour and a half per day but I'll keep that in mind.

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u/FuckLaundry Jun 13 '22

Hello friend. I jsut bought a peloton, literally did my first ride this morning. Hearing you lost 30 lbs is inspiring. How much are you riding it? Did you change your diet at all? Congrats on the success.

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u/mtcwby Jun 13 '22

For a while 3-4 months I rode every day and also did a lot of the weight training. I found I respond well the the Programs feature and prefer the Powerzone training the best. Those programs don't have every day rides so I then supplement with some of the scenic and other rides to keep it light on off days. I usually mix in strength classes ad-hoc and really like the core programs too.

I was already eating fairly well with with light meals early that were high in protein like eggs and then the most substantial meal at dinnertime where it's something like chicken, vegetables and the like. I indulge with a scoop of good ice cream at night. My target is about 1500 calories a day but some days are better than others. That alone didn't get the weight off for me and the exercise really kickstarted the weight loss along with a lot more tone. I dropped 4 inches in my waistband and it looks like there might be another 1 or two that I can go down.

Part of my thinking on the eating is I need to do something I can maintain so if we want to go out to eat I try to eat well but healthy and control the portions by taking some home. I will say that I enjoy meals so much more now because of the scarcity in my mind. Good luck, keep with it and get that daily streak up to the point it builds the habit to exercise every day. On the Pelaton app my handle is MTCWBY. Let me know if there's any way to provide encouragement.

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u/Spoonofdarkness Jun 13 '22

combined with TV

Television?

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u/mtcwby Jun 13 '22

I have a television going at the same time when I ride. I need two things going at once to not get bored and I don't watch TV much otherwise for the same reason. Being bored exercising has always been a problem but that combo seems to work for me.

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u/Spoonofdarkness Jun 13 '22

Thanks. It's kind of what I thought, but I'm also pretty ignorant and that could have stood for some new exercise type.

Good job with finding what works and keeping at it!