How Do I Cut Down On Muscle Mass?

[Guest jenny22]

Hi

Does anyone have tips for how to lose muscle?? The only way I can think of is to stop exercising but I would prefer to lose muscle mass while still staying in shape. Does anyone have any input on this? How did your muscle mass change after HRT started with and without exercise?

[JJ]

From my understanding muscle mass changes dramatically on HRT. I know on T even without the nutrition to build a lot of mass the change has been dramatic and I have muscles and definition that no amount of exercise could create before.

I have many, many times heard the women here talk about how much their muscle mass changed. That layer of fat and skin softness you also gain from HRT will make them look even softer too.

Johnny

[Guest KarenLyn]

I lost a lot of muscle mass on hrt and I've always tried to maintain a good exercise regimen. The veins that were prominent on my arms are invisible now. Probably hidden under the denser layer of fat. On the other hand, my skin seems thinner so the veins on my hands are more pronounced. ymmv

[Guest PrincessHikari]

I've been trying to do the same.... ;l even on estrogen I had big muscles. I JUST tried a diet like last week. I lost WEIGHT but I still have big muscles ;l. I'm now a vegetarian. XD i'm trying to not eat protein at all and hope my muscles just burn away O; <3

[JJ]

Please, please don't try to restrict protein in your diet to cut down on muscle mass! http://www.ehow.com/facts_5701996_side-effects-low-protein.html

One of the challenges vegetarians sometimes face is getting enough protein as it is. You will lose muscle but much more besides-like hair-and you will have no energy which leads to weight gain and becoming ill frequently because your immune system is compromised

Balance what you eat and do exercises to create the kind of muscle you want. Swimming and running both create long lean muscles rather than bulk-and that kind of muscle looks good on woman as much as men.

It does no good to lose muscle but end up looking awful because you are sick or malnourished. Healthy is sexy

Johnny

[Guest Elizabeth K]

YMMV - but for me? the effects of HRT.

Lizzy

[Reagen]

I know I have had some really good results with a very strict diet of 800 to 1200 calories a day(Choose them wisely). I also eat no red met, fish and poultry only! I walk a couple of miles and do Yoga for an hour 3 to 4 times a week. I have gone from a stocky build to a very much leaner build. I was over weight in some areas and had a lot of mussel in my upper body. I went from about a 44" chest to 38" my waist went from a 40 to about a 32. I had rather large arms and shoulders. I have noticed that they are significantly smaller. I would say about half the size. I wish I had measured them before and after. The key is to build long lean mussel. I would say yoga is pretty awesome for this. You can get a great workout without bulking up. I know HRT has some pretty profound effects as well, But as you have heard already YMMV. In the first 2 months of diet and exercise I lost over sixty pounds. both in mussel and fat. So I know it works, but its tough.

Good luck.

~Rea

[Guest inaminutehoney]

I fully agree with JJ.

I'm actually trying to maintain muscle mass or even build a little more which I find most difficult under the long-term influence of estrogen replacement anyway. I think if somebody aims to lose weight, the goal should always be to lose body fat, not lean tissue. Just think of osteoporosis prevention and your joints. I was a dedicated distance runner not too long ago and went into serious knee issues just because I was skinny with no muscle in my lower body.

Being skinny is not beautiful and not fun.

Later I got into fitness, started with weight training and aerobics.

Today I weigh about 16 lbs more. But it's not fat. And I don't feel less feminine just because I look a little more athletic.

[Guest Melissa~]

My doctor confirmed the number I have heard on here already, a likely 30% atrophy of muscle if routine isn't changed. He has not manged HRT before, but has had prior full transition patients.