I think I might have a problem

[Guest KaylaRoss]

Hello! My mother has constantly told me I have to scrawny. I have always thought its because I'm a bit more feminine than most guys, and that has helped me keep peace of mind. But now, I'm really doubting myself and I can see what she means.

I don't eat breakfast, except for sundays, which my families big brunch day. I usually eat lunch, maybe a sandwich or some bagel bites. For dinner I usually eat whatever is on the table, which is usually meat. As much meat and fruit I eat (I have a plate of chopped up bananas everyday) and as much milk and juice I drink I am still scrawny as crap. I know it is not muscle as I have nice sized arm and leg muscles for my age. Chest and lower body, not so much. I do have abs, but there a 4 pack and faint. But, I'm only 130 pounds. And I'm 17. I think it is something on the inside that is keeping me from gaining enough weight to start hormone therapy. My doctor has been telling me if I don't have enough weight when I transition, then my body will look weird and stuff.

I need your opinions. Has anybody been a super scrawny male and became a not so scrawny female after a few months of hormones? Or do you have any advice? My friend told me to take weight managment pills, that they will give me more weight and balance out everything.

(btw I would provide you with pics of my body but I'm not sure if you can)

[Sally]

I see that this is your first post, kind of want to get an answer to this question so I will do my best.

There is a reason that you are stuck at 130 pounds and that is that at your age the metabolism is just a bit faster than for someone of my age so we must fuel the furnace in the proper ratio to the activity level.

My experience was that I weighed 145 lbs and was about 6'3" tall, I was in college, in the marching band and in my attempts to fit in with the males in the group I played touch football daily as well as basketball and tennis with a little bit of racquetball and golf on the side - I was burning calories at an incredible rate so I had to consume nearly 4,000 calories a day - you may have heard that some Olympic athletes consume over 5,000 while training.

I would suggest that you have a breakfast each day, a slightly larger lunch and have the same dinner - you should not try to gain a lot at one time because if you suddenly cut out some of the activities your weight will balloon pretty quickly - so have patience and do not start unhealthy eating habits.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Melancholy]

I'm just like that...really need to start getting breakfast again. Anyway, yeah, that's your metabolism.

If I were you, I'd not take any weight management pills until you know that you need them.

[JJ]

Has you Dr done any tests to determine if there is a medical reason for your weight? If there is not then increasing your calorie consumption or decreasing your activity level are necessary,

But increasing your calories doesn't mean developing bad eating habits, You can increase it with things like eggs, avocados etc. Foods that are high in calories but also dense in nutrients and good for you,

There are two reasons to do it, First-and what your Dr is probably referring to is that in order to feminize you need to add that layer of fat women have and men don't which is a lot of the reason women look softer when they go on HRT. Also breast tissue is primarily fat, If you don't have any and aren't eating enough it can't happen significantly,

The second reason to eat more but healthily is that eventually your metabolism is likely to fall some with both HRT and age. You lose muscle strength with HRT-and a degree of endurance-and that can cause a fall in metabolism. When that happens eventually if you have bad eating habits you will gain more than you are probably comfortable with. I was always at the Dr as a kid partly because I was too thin, At 11 I was 5' 5" tall and weighed 85 lbs for instance. But once puberty kicked in and estrogen washed my system I had to watch my weight and fight it for the rest of my life.

A battle I ultimately lost but that is another story,

Basically - I am no expert and just telling you what I have read and know but yes, you need to increase your intake but please do it with healthy foods because junk food can end up causing lifelong problems

Johnny

[Charlize]

Kayla,

Our bodies are all different. As we get older we can't seem to get the weight to stay off but when i was young i was always thin as well. Just try upping your intake. I've had to lower mine.

I hereby will you my extra calories. Use them to gain weight without feeling guilty. I'll also be happy to see them go where they are needed.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Charlize]

Oh yes Kayla,

I might need some back for breast growth if i get to start on HRT. There should be enough for us to share.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest Sarinah]

Im 6'0" and weighed 145lbs until I was about 26. Then my metabolism started to drop and Ive put on weight. I dont know how tall you are but 130lbs isnt that alarming to me for someone your age. Look up a Height to Weight chart and aim for the healthy range for your age. I would use the male chart at this point since you dont have a female hormones affecting your metabolism.

-Evalyn

[Guest KaylaRoss]

Thank all of you. I have decided to eat more, starting with breakfast. I should have mentioned this before, but my appetite has been down, that's why Im probably not eating so much. Anyway, thanks for all of your support!

Thanks -Kayla