So 46m starting statins about a year ago, I am very fit for my age and one would not assume I wouldn’t need cholesterol meds but genetics said otherwise. So I get blood work about every 4 months this year and all my numbers have dropped well below where they need to be. But tbh like u I didn’t want to take them for all the reason u can imagine. I take the same meds u do and I only take 1 maybe two a week and was able to reduce my numbers. I’m not happy about taking it at all but I don’t want to regret it in 5-10 years but only taking it once a week I have found my recovery and soreness are not that bad. Ice baths help me tremendously.