MANLY MEN
Testosterone. The word itself exudes masculinity. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for lean muscle mass, bone density, energy, strength, libido, and mood amongst other things. It is an incredibly important hormone. But many men are living, nay, existing on lower-than-normal testosterone levels. Hormone levels decline as we age--it’s a natural part of life. And many men have below average testosterone levels prematurely. This is caused by many factors--most can be avoided and prevented. Note: I do not subscribe to the medical community’s standard to what a man’s testosterone levels should be at a later age. Every man is an individual. A level of 300ng/dl may be sufficient for one man, whereas 500ng/dl may be adequate for another.

Hormone changes occur in men and women as we age. Women have a more dramatic drop in hormones, whereas men’s hormone change is gradual. But many men increase the hormone depletion through lifestyle, diet, consumption, and exposure.

The lifestyle a mature man chooses to live can be beneficial or detrimental. If a man’s lifestyle is sedentary, his testosterone levels are dropping. If a man’s diet is filled with processed foods, sugar, and excess carbohydrates, his levels are depleting. If a man consumes alcohol on a regular basis, his T-levels are plummeting. Exposure to certain chemicals can cease testosterone production also.
Testosterone is so much more than the masculine hormone. The exhaustion of testosterone levels or the absence can lead to poor health and major health issues.

Weight gain [especially around the midsection]
Gynecomastia {increase in breast tissue]
Depression
Loss of muscle mass
Low/no sex drive
Mood swings
Heart disease
Stroke
Hypertension…
The list continues. Another side effect of low testosterone is BPH - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia [Prostate Enlargement]. Prostate enlargement occurs when prostatic cells reproduce and progressively create pressure on the urethra.

The worst complications associated with BPH are lower urinary tract issues, bladder impediments, frequent urination, difficulty starting, straining while urinating, pain while urinating, and prostate cancer. Research has shown that men with prostate cancer often have low levels of testosterone.
And last but not least, as testosterone levels fall there is a rise in the Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG). The rise is SHBG causes testosterone to bind to proteins and inhibit normal function.
Alright, the scary scientific stuff aside, lets be real. Men, in general, want to feel strong, virile, and masculine. We want to feel like we can take on any and all challenges. We want to have the energy to fulfill dreams and goals. We want the passion to live life to the fullest. We want to be able to please our significant other sexually. All these and more feed who we are as a being. So why do we accept that low testosterone is a normal part of aging. We shouldn’t!

There are ways to increase your testosterone levels. If your levels are severely low, I recommend visiting your doctor and have a conversation about what steps can be taken to assist in the raising of your levels. For the rest of you who are just suffering from a drop in t-levels due to lifestyle and diet, I can help!

The following are a few of the ways I have raised my testosterone levels. 

Avoid alcohol. Yes, total abstinence.
I put this one first because alcohol is a major contributor to declining testosterone levels, “Alcohol use affects all three parts of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, a system of endocrine glands and hormones involved in male reproduction. Alcohol use is associated with low testosterone and altered levels of additional reproductive hormones. Researchers are investigating several potential mechanisms for alcohol's damage. These mechanisms are related to alcohol metabolism, alcohol-related cell damage, and other hormonal reactions associated with alcohol consumption”.[i]

Also, because [it] is a touchy subject. Alcohol is a drug. Most are addicted and do not know it. This is why people get defensive if the topic of abstinence from alcohol is broached. Alcohol ruined my testosterone levels. I drank heavy for years and my testosterone level plummeted down to 215ng/dl. That’s extremely low. I brought it up by abstaining from alcohol, eating right, exercising, and having a lot of sex. But ultimately it is up to you. If drinking is more important than feeling vibrant, virile, and sexy, then more power to ya!

Clean up your diet.
A diet consisting of fast food, sugar, simple carbohydrates, and processed foods will kill testosterone levels as well as sperm cells. “On average, men who typically ate a Westernized diet of pizza, snacks, sweets, and processed foods produced around 68 million fewer sperm upon ejaculation than men who ate a more healthy, balanced diet. Men who closely followed the prudent pattern of eating -- characterized by lots of fish, vegetables, fruit and water -- were associated with the highest sperm counts”.[ii]

Move your ass.
Being sedentary brings with it weight gain, loss of muscle, and low testosterone. The belly size tells it all, “waist size has a much bigger impact on testosterone than aging," says endocrinologist Frances Hayes, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "We can’t slow aging, but we can prevent weight gain." Excess weight can keep testosterone levels low, according to the Society for Endocrinology. Obese and overweight men see the greatest improvement in their testosterone levels if they lose weight with a combination of exercise and a well-balanced diet.”[iii]

These are three of the basics that I used to improve my testosterone levels. There are additional steps and intricacies to take.

If you feel like you need to take back your life, if you are ready to feel sexy, virile, and masculine again, if you desire to feel young and energetic again, contact us @Khronologyfit. We can set you up with an exercise routine and specialized diet plan that will take your testosterone to the next level!

[i] Source...

[ii] Source...

[iii] Source...

We rack up our pennies to save for retirement most of our adulthood. However, come retirement, most of us have less than $100,000 saved up. With debts constantly increasing and income staggering, many citizens are unprepared for retirement.

Thankfully, for homeowners who are at least 62 years old, a reverse mortgage is a great way to boost your income. As long as you occupy your home and build sufficient equity, you can fall back on a reverse mortgage to keep you on your feet.

While it may appear as an outstanding solution to meet financial obligations, the real question is how much hard cash does a reverse mortgage remunerate? There’s no straight answer, and the amount of money at your disposal will vary according to various factors.

Where does the money come from in a Reverse mortgage?
The exact amount of money you’ll be granted depends on a few different components, including age, the current market value of your home, interest rates, financial obligations, and the distribution type of choice.

Your current home appraisal will also help you determine what your eligibility will look like—the higher the economic value, the higher potential to put a fair amount in your pocket. Intertwined, current interest rates can also affect how much money you’ll receive. The lower the interest, the higher the accessible funds.

In general, homeowners who have over 50% equity in their residence have a higher chance of qualifying for this type of loan. Meanwhile, when there’s a notable mortgage balance remaining, the payout may not be worth it. Loan proceeds will invariably go towards paying off existing liens.

A reverse mortgage supplies borrowers with the most disposable cash when the home is paid off or the balance is low. As of 2019, the maximum payout from a reverse mortgage is 679,650$. However, most applicants can expect much less.

Who can apply for a Reverse Mortgage?
You must be at a minimum of 62 years old to qualify for a reverse mortgage. However, the older you are when you take out this loan, the more cash you’ll access. The estimated length of your loan is a critical factor in whether you’ll receive the best payout.

Additionally, fees and other financial obligations may alter your payment. You must pay off your existing mortgage balance before assessing how much money you’ll receive. Once you’re approved, you will choose how you would like to receive the loan amount. You may select an upfront lump sum, monthly payment, or a line of credit. It all depends on what serves your situation best.

It may not seem like there’s such a difference on the surface, but it can alter the outcome dramatically. Due to the continuously changing economy and rising house costs, evaluate your options carefully.

Only you can tell whether a reverse mortgage is a suitable solution for you. No program will be the right one for every homeowner. With the proper research, tapping into your home equity could be worth it.

Get to Know Kevin A. Guttman Reverse Mortgage Specialist

As you can see there are a lot of steps to getting a reverse mortgage but it doesn’t have to be complicated when you have a professional help you along the way.

Contact our team today to get the wheels in motion at (877) 251-9709

Opened to the public in 2012, the National Museum of World War II Aviation documents the role that military aviation played in the emergence of our nation as a world power. The museum tells the story of the tremendous technological advancements in aviation during the War and the contributions and sacrifices of the men and who won the air war.

For more information, visit their website: National Museum of World War II Aviation

Enjoy a Colorado Vacation in Breckenridge!
Related Travel Post: Camping in Colorado

See more: BreckVacation

The Pauline Chapel is a beautiful chapel on the National Register of Historic Places. It is owned by The Broadmoor Resort.

In 1918, Spencer Penrose submitted two designs for the chapel on behalf of his wife Julie, a devout Catholic, to the Bishop of the Diocese of Denver. The first was a sketch by Broadmoor hotel architects Warren & Wetmore. Later that year, an additional design, in a Spanish Mission style, was sent from Thomas MacLaren & Douglas Hetherington Architects of Colorado Springs. The second rendering was chosen and construction was completed in the spring of 1919. However, Pauline Chapel was not dedicated as a Catholic church until 1925 when St. Paul's Catholic Parish of Colorado Springs was established.

Another resource on the history of the chapel is as follows: "While the Broadmoor Hotel was being built under Spencer Penrose’s watchful eye, his wife was supervising the building of a small chapel across the lake. Her vision for the chapel was Italian Renaissance and the design for the chapel was based on a 14th century model in the Vatican. A Scotsman, Thomas MacLaren, was the chosen architect. He saw art as architecture, and had his hand in many well-known buildings around Colorado Springs. Pauline Chapel was not originally planned as a parish church. Built in 1918, it was a “rest” chapel for the use of hotel guests."

During their travels through Europe in the early 1900's, Mr. and Mrs. Penrose acquired many examples of religious art and artifacts that spoke to the rich history and tradition of the early church. Today, The Pauline Chapel is a popular choice for wedding ceremonies, and is also open to hotel guests and community each Sunday at 9:00am.

New windows were installed after World War II and The Rose Window in the choir loft was added, depicting the Blessed Mother’s crowing as Queen of Heaven. The last of Julie’s projects was a gift of a pipe organ and chimes to the chapel. The installation was completed in 1955. Julie Penrose passed away in 1956. The new St. Paul’s Church opened in 1959. Source...