Maintains a feminine body without losing certain muscles?

[Guest KrissyB]

This a little complicated of a question but I'm sure someone here can answer it.I haven't started any type of HRT yet and don't expect to until I turn 18 (15.5 now). I also shoot archery and don't want to quit, so I need to maintain certain muscles to a certain degree (I believe the main muscle is called the trapezius). But also I want to do everything I can to start developing a more feminine figure. I have a little bit of fat in my stomach area, but naturally have almost a six pack without ever really working on it. Are there any foods specially that I should avoid, or is just a "healthy diet" and watching my calories, sodium intake and all that stuff enough? And when I do start HRT will I be able to keep shooting without losing the muscles I need, or somehow counteracting the effects of HRT by producing more testosterone?

~Krissy

[Guest KrissyB]

Sorry it looks like I screwed up the title a little bit. Lol...Should have been more like "Gaining a feminine body while maintains some muscles?"

[Ravin]

Plenty of women shoot archery. As long as you're getting a sensible amount of exercise and practice, the hormones will do their thing but you'll keep muscle you're really using What weight bow do you use? If it's on the heavy end you may want to go lighter. If it's not more than a 35lb. draw, you should be able to maintain, I think. I know women who shoot bows that heavy.

Talk to your doctor or maybe a trainer or physical therapist.

[Guest KrissyB]

I shoot at 60lb and going any lower would hurt my long range shooting.

[Guest LizMarie]

Many women are often as strong as many men, particularly in modern society where men are often at desk jobs and such. Female muscles tend to be thinner, sleeker, yet can still handle large weights, high stresses, etc. As for whether certain types of exercise would induce more testosterone production, I'd say talk to your endocrinologist, but I am not aware of that being the case.

[Guest KimberlyF]

There is research last year that short term exposure to T in female mice allows them to regrow muscle much quicker later in life. It backs up research that shows power lifters who doped had an advantage years after they quit.

So I'd guess if you keep working it, you'd be fine.

[Guest mistygirl7]

For me being on hrt for 4 years, pre op. Iv been going to the gym regularly and lifting weights (heavy) and now into crossfit. Iv lost a lot of weight but also kept my somewhat feminine shape. Did really have much feminine shape to begin with but I stated the same with some muscle gain but I don't Look man.