Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Hormones and muscle loss


Emily michelle

Recommended Posts

I plan on beginning hormones very soon and I’m wondering about the muscle loss. Now I have no problem with loosing muscle mass but I’m concerned that I might lose too much and make my job a lot harder because at times it is very physically demanding. Is the anything I can do to help stop this or am I worrying about nothing.

 

thanks 

Emily

Link to comment

Hey Emily you def loss Muscle, but here's the fun part  you gain fat, mostly on your belly and hips .. yeah it sucks. I maintain a steady Gym regiment which helps, I would look into a line diet as well. but I use to lift 200 now I barely can lift 150 once and I gain weight fat. was 5'2 125 not 5'3 133. which sucks cause I constantly feel fat..Good Luck...side note different results for diff folks also keep that in mind 

 

 

 

Link to comment

When I started transitioning almost a year ago, I was working manual labor, within the first month working for my friends moving company and then an industrial laundry. And then I quit the laundry and went back to my friends moving company through last summer. I've worked manual labor most of my life. So I had pretty toned biceps. 

 

Well I started dressing out that summer, wearing girls tank tops and t's and sleeveless dresses. My toned arms made me kinda dysphoric. By fall I got my job at Starbucks, which is much lighter work than I had been working. I haven't worked out this whole time, intentionally letting my arms atrophy so they get more slender. 

 

I'm weaker now too. Indeed, we need men to open the pickle jars for us now lol! But I can still hustle at work. Sometimes just to show off I'll carry six gallons of milk, three in each hand, when stocking the fridges. 

 

So I guess it depends on your work and how much you keep in shape. If the labor is light enough, stocking, warehouse, food prep... no problem, there's plenty of women in these fields" you'll be able to keep up no problem. But if it's really heavy labor, like concrete or roofing, hrt is gonna make this work a lot more challenging. 

 

~Toni

Link to comment

Hmm I would love to have hips I just don’t want my belly haha. That is the only place I have fat now. I work on heavy construction equipment so I do a lot of lift in tight areas and awkward spots. Looks like I better be using my crane more. I don’t really go to the gym I should but usually wore out from 10 to 12 hours a day. I think I can deal with this to be my authentic self.

Link to comment

Yes, you will lose muscle mass. Its a side effect of the hormones. Along with your brests growing. Your gonads shrinking and Yes your brain being rewired.

 

You do lose a lot of strength. But Don't be fooled you will still arguably be still stronger than an average woman of your age and will still have a larger bone stucture and bigger lung capacity.

 

Hips. yes, you will get some fat around them. But don't think you are ever going to walk sideways through a door opening. Most of us were never built to child bare therefore hips will never be quite as rounded as a biological female.  But you will gain some fat around them along with as Alex says. Some belly fat. On a brighter side because of that Body fat moving around you perhaps will find yourself with more of a shape rather than being straight all the way down

 

But please bear in mind. Not all woman are catwalk ready. Take a look around your neighbourhood. There's Fat, Thin, Tall, Short, and yes ones with more arm muscle than average men. Your body will be as it decides as it develops

 

 

Link to comment

I’m ready to welcome all of the changes that are going to occur. I’d imagine it will be a roller coaster ride but it the end it is worth it.

Link to comment

Emily I experienced a lot of over all muscle and fat loss.  Due to Bariactric surgery but I was told that also from the HRT.  I've lost over 130 pounds totalover the course of a year or so.  I am also an inch shorter now and a shoe size smaller I am finding out.  All my guy shoe do not fit anymore and are floppy like dang clown shoes.  I have a lot of brand new running shoes and sneakers that can be considered gender neutral but way to big now. Its weird.  It sucks because I now have nothing for summer.  I guess I need to shop!!!  LOL

 

As for as loosing strength you don't need to one bit.  OK maybe a little.  I have loss a lot of strength but my employment has changed and I do not need it nor do anything to promote it so I am down quite and bit.  My wife is stronger then me now.  Kinda scary as she is tiny.

Size and strength do not always go hand and hand.  A good muscle toning regiment can assist in you keeping a majority of your previous strength but its not like working out like a male does.  No power lifting nor heavy weight.  Very light weight and a bazillion reps.  LOL  Lots of cardio too and but all cardio. (That was my biggest mistake.)  

Tons of women's toning videos and YouTube is your friend!.

That's been my experience anyways.  

Link to comment
2 hours ago, ShawnaLeigh said:

Emily I experienced a lot of over all muscle and fat loss.  Due to Bariactric surgery but I was told that also from the HRT.  I've lost over 130 pounds totalover the course of a year or so.  I am also an inch shorter now and a shoe size smaller I am finding out.  All my guy shoe do not fit anymore and are floppy like dang clown shoes.  I have a lot of brand new running shoes and sneakers that can be considered gender neutral but way to big now. Its weird.  It sucks because I now have nothing for summer.  I guess I need to shop!!!  LOL

 

As for as loosing strength you don't need to one bit.  OK maybe a little.  I have loss a lot of strength but my employment has changed and I do not need it nor do anything to promote it so I am down quite and bit.  My wife is stronger then me now.  Kinda scary as she is tiny.

Size and strength do not always go hand and hand.  A good muscle toning regiment can assist in you keeping a majority of your previous strength but its not like working out like a male does.  No power lifting nor heavy weight.  Very light weight and a bazillion reps.  LOL  Lots of cardio too and but all cardio. (That was my biggest mistake.)  

Tons of women's toning videos and YouTube is your friend!.

That's been my experience anyways.  

Wow 130 pounds that’s amazing you go girl. That would be awesome if I lost shoe size it’s hard to find shoes in a size 12. I’ve switched all of my clothes out just because I can’t stand to look at my old clothes. It’s just hard to stay gender neutral right now because I have to wear a uniform all week long and by the time I’m home all I want is a dress or skirt. I have become addicted to shopping I need to stop so I can save up for laser hair removal when they open.

 

the times I do work out its all cardio I gave up weight lifting when I graduated high school 15 years ago. I will have to look those Up on you tube videos. You tube has been a god send for make up help.

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

I took the loss of muscle mass into consideration when I started transitioning. I hit the gym (well, I did, until they closed) for two or three hours a day in the morning. My workout consists of forty minutes of cardio with one and a half to two and a half hours on the weight machines. You can maintain your muscle strength if you're willing to work for it. I have a friend who is about five-foot nothing and at 68 years old can easily press more than I weigh. She's teaching me how to exercise properly and maybe sculpt a nice-looking behind.

 

That said, I've lost about a half a shoe size. My muscle mass is leaner, but I think I've gained more strength and endurance than I've lost.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment
35 minutes ago, Jackie C. said:

I took the loss of muscle mass into consideration when I started transitioning. I hit the gym (well, I did, until they closed) for two or three hours a day in the morning. My workout consists of forty minutes of cardio with one and a half to two and a half hours on the weight machines. You can maintain your muscle strength if you're willing to work for it. I have a friend who is about five-foot nothing and at 68 years old can easily press more than I weigh. She's teaching me how to exercise properly and maybe sculpt a nice-looking behind.

 

That said, I've lost about a half a shoe size. My muscle mass is leaner, but I think I've gained more strength and endurance than I've lost.

 

Hugs!

Going to the gym for 2 or 3 hours a day wow you have a lot more drive then I do when I was going consistently I would do an hour or so and then I would leave. 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

I find I really enjoy it. Now that the body I've got dovetails with the body I want (well, sorta, but my dysphoria is WAY better on HRT) I find I want to take care of it. A nice workout from 5:30 am to about 8:30 is a great way to start my day and I've made a bunch of great friends at the gym.

 

I worked my way up to that naturally. I started with an hour a day and that kind of expanded as I tried to get more work in. I'm kind of chomping at the bit to be able to get back to it. I feel like a blob stuck at home.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment

That’s what I’m really hoping is that my dysphoria will ease once the hormones start making changes right now I feel awkward going to the gym right now so I was doing some workouts at home when I get time or I should say make time. 
 

im very lucky I’m not bored I’ve still been working I’m just only work 8 or 9 hours instead of 10 to 12 hours a day 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Check to see how tolerant of trans people your gym is or if they have a unisex bathroom. The point where an older man I was changing next to noticed my breasts was kind of awkward. I mean on the one hand, "Yay! Someone else can see my breasts! They're not imaginary!" on the other hand, "Hey! This guy isn't cleared for my breasts!" Like I said, awkward.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment
56 minutes ago, Jackie C. said:

Check to see how tolerant of trans people your gym is or if they have a unisex bathroom. The point where an older man I was changing next to noticed my breasts was kind of awkward. I mean on the one hand, "Yay! Someone else can see my breasts! They're not imaginary!" on the other hand, "Hey! This guy isn't cleared for my breasts!" Like I said, awkward.

 

Hugs!

Lol

”Cleared”. Omg you kill me.  Lol

Link to comment
5 hours ago, Jackie C. said:

Check to see how tolerant of trans people your gym is or if they have a unisex bathroom. The point where an older man I was changing next to noticed my breasts was kind of awkward. I mean on the one hand, "Yay! Someone else can see my breasts! They're not imaginary!" on the other hand, "Hey! This guy isn't cleared for my breasts!" Like I said, awkward.

 

Hugs!

Haha I like that cleared for my breasts. You just made my day. When I was going to the gym I always changed in a stall because I’ve always had to put a sports bra on because I’ve always had breasts and at that time I was embarrassed by them since I was too afraid to admit to myself that I was a woman. My wife goes to planet fitness so when I go with her again I should ask about a unisex bathroom 

Link to comment

No gym that I know has a Unisex.Unless its one of those super fancy one or excludes.  I dress and shower( bird shower nothing belong the waist) in the women locker room. First thing I do when I am at a new location is tell the G.M that I transgender and I will be using the women locker. I never had a problem so far. I belong to L.A fitness. I however, do get stares from Cis especially when I bird shower or apply some make-up for the day. I never make eye contact just look down change, fix and go..

Link to comment

I will have to talk with planet fitness. For now I’m going to have to stick with the men’s locker room since I’m in no way passable yet but hopefully that time will come I can use the correct locker room.

Link to comment
30 minutes ago, Emily michelle said:

For now I’m going to have to stick with the men’s locker room since I’m in no way passable yet but hopefully that time will come I can use the correct locker room.

Not true!

I went in the an ultrasound a while back.  Still presenting male but had told them I was transgender and they immediately offered me the ladies dressing room. I refused as it felt weird to me but OMG I was so uncomfortable in the men's dressing room.  The nurse said she would wait for me outside and once I was changed I could just leave it vs staying in there to be called upon. 

The moral is you do not need to look like your preferred gender to be transgender and be respected as such.

JMO

Link to comment

You a 100% correct. I just wish I had the confidence you do, I get so worried what people think about me. I even try to avoid using a public bathroom at all costs because it makes me to uncomfortable. It’s kind of weird I have moments where I feel good and confident ready to take on the world then the next minute I become extremely self conscious about me

Link to comment

Hey Emily you have EVERY RIGHT to be in the women locker. I still bit male but I feel more a easy in WL then the creepy stares I use to get in ML. I felt like you but trust me that grow old fast. I belong there and I fit there

Link to comment
8 hours ago, Alex C said:

. First thing I do when I am at a new location is tell the G.M that I transgender

 

Alex. I have a question for you:

 

Out of interest and purely academicly. Why do you feel the need to tell them your transgender? Is it for your benefit of theres?

Link to comment
10 hours ago, Emily michelle said:

I even try to avoid using a public bathroom at all costs because it makes me to uncomfortable. It’s kind of weird I have moments where I feel good and confident ready to take on the world then the next minute I become extremely self conscious about me

Well if truth be told I have yet to use a Ladies restroom but only because they have Gender Neutral restrooms where I work.  I was thinking about this yesterday sitting at Toyota for four plus hours drinking to many coffees. "Is this my first Ladies Room experience?"  LOL

 

As for being confident.  I have been faking true confidence for decades trying to be "all that" as a guy.  I guess I trained myself to just be this way over time.  It is one trait I am happy to hold on to.  BUT I am not so much deep down and fear grips me daily.  I have just learned to power through it so no-one knows and still looks at me as being confident and in control.

Most days I am a hot mess inside.  LOL

 

My Advice to anyone struggling to "just do it" is to JUST DO IT and you will see its really no big deal, nothing to fear, and if something happens then just roll with it.  This is obviously easier said then done but one day you will and will be so thankful for it.  Being a women and being out there as yourself is what it is.  You are who you are and the world can shove it if they don't like it.  Also known as Pride.  (Which I have an abundance of too.  And Ego obviously-lol)

 

I expected this negativity in my world I can assure you.  I was just waiting for that wrong word or hateful comment but I am prepared for this as I am a smart ass too. ( and I naturally think I am quick witted and hilarious as well.)   My defenses are mostly through humor and joking.  Until you invade my physical comfort zone then I am all Combat/Weapons Specialist mode.

 

I do feel very blessed to have not experienced anything negative.  Yet!  I know one day I will.

Karma is saving up a biggie for me I just know it!

Link to comment
3 hours ago, Maid In Bedlam said:

 

Alex. I have a question for you:

 

Out of interest and purely academicly. Why do you feel the need to tell them your transgender? Is it for your benefit of theres?

I do what Alex does in this situation too.  I have been trained to diffuse the situation up front. I to avoid a confrontation is the best way to win a confrontation.   This can backfire of course.  But I feel with informing upfront that I am what I am makes things much more comfortable for me if someone else says something.  Then the Manager/Staff are on your side as an honest customer not some freak invading the ladies locker room they are being dragged into and this can be uncomfortable for all.  Which lets face it ladies this is a common perception of MTF/FTM that are early on still using the opposite genders amenities.  (jmo)

 

Do I need to tell everyone?  No of course not but like I said if there may be a situation or incident I could foresee or "assume" could be an issue then I do take measures to avoid it.  If I can't avoid it then I included allies.  Stronger together then apart sort of mentality.   Which in most cases everyone I have met is like, "Meh, whatever."  

Link to comment
53 minutes ago, ShawnaLeigh said:

  Then the Manager/Staff are on your side as an honest customer not some freak invading the ladies locker room they are being dragged into and this can be uncomfortable for all.  Which lets face it ladies this is a common perception of MTF/FTM that are early on still using the opposite genders amenities.  (jmo)

 

 

So its a personal blanket so to speak?  You have been upfront and should there be an incident then you have or feel you have done everything to be on the right side of the fence.

 

Just seemed you was outing yourself.  But i do get it in the early stages.

 

Am i blessed or priviliged? I dont think so. But ive never felt the need or want to tell anyone outside of my inner circle.

 

Thats why i had to ask. Thanks for clarifing Shawna.

Link to comment
1 hour ago, Maid In Bedlam said:

Just seemed you was outing yourself.  But i do get it in the early stages.

It is definitely outing yourself. 

I feel folks can deal with a situation much better with information ahead of time vs having to deal with a shock and being put on the spot.  Having no time to consider or control any auto reactions.  

This is just me though. 

Maybe this will change in time and as I go threw life as a full time women for a lot longer because I certainly agree with you as it is really no ones business anyways.  Right now I am guarded and careful to not incite any reaction no less something negative.  Like I mentioned my approach could back fire on me but then I will know its not a place I need or want to be and not risk further incident.  

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   3 Members, 0 Anonymous, 109 Guests (See full list)

    • Betty K
    • VickySGV
    • Carolyn Marie
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      768.4k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,029
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Selkimur
    Newest Member
    Selkimur
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Anyatimenow
      Anyatimenow
      (23 years old)
    2. Aria00
      Aria00
    3. Ava B.
      Ava B.
      (24 years old)
    4. Claire Heshi
      Claire Heshi
    5. CrystalMatthews0426
      CrystalMatthews0426
      (41 years old)
  • Posts

    • Abigail Genevieve
      I have read numerous accounts of trans folk no longer being welcome among evangelicals.   I am here for help and fellowship not to rebuke anyone.  I can take a pretty high degree of insult, etc., and you haven't insulted me, to my recollection anyway :) and I usually let it go.  But I thought I would let it all out there.   I am sure I disagree with you on numerous issues.  I appreciate other people's viewpoints, including those who radically disagree with me.  Intellectual challenge is good. One thing I appreciate about @MaeBe.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Congrats!
    • Sally Stone
      Post 8 “The Ohio Years” We moved to Pittsburgh because of the job with US Airways.  The job involved classroom instruction and simulator training, but no actual flying, so I kept looking for an actual pilot position.  A year after signing on with US Airways I got hired to fly business jets.  The company was located in Cleveland, Ohio, but I was flown commercially from my home in Pittsburgh to where my aircraft was located, making it unnecessary to live near company headquarters.    My flight scheduled consisted of eight days on duty with seven days off.  Having seven days off in a row was great but being gone from home eight days in a row was difficult.  For the first few years the flying was fun, but after a while the eight flying days in a row, were taking their toll on me.  Those days were brutal, consisting of very long hours and a lot of flying time.  Usually, I came home exhausted and need three days just to recover from the work week.  Flying for a living is glamorous until you actually do it.  Quickly, it became just a job.    After five years as a line captain, I became a flight department manager, which required we live near company headquarters.  That meant a move to Cleveland.  Working in the office meant I was home every night but as a manager, the schedule was still challenging.  I would work in the office all week and then be expected to go out and fly the line on weekends.  I referred to it as my “5 on 2 on” schedule, because it felt as though I had no time off at all.   About the same time, we moved to Cleveland, my wife and I became “empty nesters,” with one son in the military and the other away at college.  Sadly, my work schedule didn’t leave much time for Sally.  Add to the fact that while Cleveland is an awesome city, I just never felt comfortable expressing my feminine side.  Most of my outings, and believe me there weren’t enough, occurred while I was on vacation and away from home.   One of the most memorable outings occurred over a long weekend.  I had stumbled across an online notice for a spring formal being held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, hosted by a local trans group there.  I reached out to Willa to see if she was up for an excellent adventure.  She was, so I picked her up and we drove to Harrisburg together.    The formal was held on Saturday evening and we had the absolute best time.  It turned out that organizers were a group named TransCentralPA.  Everyone was wonderful and I made a lot of new friends that evening.  We learned the spring formal was one of the group’s annual events but for the following year, instead of a spring formal, the group wanted to do a local transgender conference.  That local conference would become the Keystone Conference, and I would attend every year for the next 12.  My move to the west coast was the only reason I stopped attending annually.  I went to the first annual Keystone Conference as an attendee, but in subsequent years I served as a volunteer and as a workshop presenter; more about those in the next installment.   For my Cleveland years, the Keystone Conference would be my major outlet for feminine self-expression.  Yes, I did get out on other occasions, but they were too infrequent.  The managerial job just didn’t allow me the freedom I needed to adequately live my feminine life, and my frustration level was slowly, but steadily on the rise.  It amazed me how adversely not being able to express the feminine half of my personality was affecting my happiness.   However, a major life change was upcoming, and while it would prove to be a significant challenge in many ways, the events would ultimately benefit my female persona.  First, my mom and dad got sick.  They were in and out of the hospital and required personal care.  My wife and I did our best but living in Cleveland, we were too far from them to give them the support they both needed.  Second, I was experiencing serious job burn out.  I decided I need to find another job and I needed to be closer to my parents.    Things changed for the better when I got hired by an aviation training company as a flight simulator instructor.  I would be training business jet pilots.  The training facility was located in New Jersey, which put us much closer to my parents, and the work schedule was much better for quality of life.  Most importantly, this life change would help Sally re-emerge and once again flower.    Hugs,   Sally       
    • Mmindy
      I made a living talking about bulk liquids in cargo tanks transportation as a driver and mechanic. Safe loading/unloading, cleaning and inspecting, as well as emergency response scenarios.   Hazmat and fire behavior in the fire service as well as emergency vehicle operations and safe driving. "It was on fire when they called you. It will be on fire when you get there." Arrive ready to work. I could also talk about firefighter behavioral  heath and the grieving process.   The real fun thing is I can do this for people who are not Truck Drivers or Fire Fighters. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Citizen Tax payers about Public Safety Education.   I love public speaking,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • Mmindy
      Congratulations to the mom and family @Ivy on the addition of another child.   Hugs,   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • MaeBe
      Congrats to you and yours!
    • Ashley0616
      YAY! Congratulations on a granddaughter!
    • Ashley0616
      I recommend CarComplaints.com | Car Problems, Car Complaints, & Repair/Recall Information. A lot of good information
    • LucyF
      I've got Spironolactone ___mg and Evorel ___mcg Patches (2 a week) going up to ___mg after 4 weeks 
    • Ivy
      Got a new Granddaughter this morning.  Mother and child (and father) are doing fine. This makes 7 granddaughters and one grandson.  I have 2 sons and 6 daughters myself.  And then I  switched teams.  I think this stuff runs in the family. Another hard day for the patriarchy.
    • Ivy
      Like @MaeBe pointed out, Trump won't do these things personally.  I doubt that he actually gives a rat's a$$ himself.  But he is the foot in the door for the others.   I don't really see this.  Personally, I am all in favor of "traditional" families.  I raised my own kids this way and it can work fine.  But I think we need to allow for other variations as well.   One thing working against this now is how hard it is for a single breadwinner to support a family.  Many people (I know some) would prefer "traditional" if they could actually afford it.  Like I mentioned, we raised our family with this model, but we were always right at the poverty level.   I was a "conservative evangelical" for most of my life, actually.  So I do understand this.  Admittedly, I no longer consider myself one. I have family members still in this camp.  Some tolerate me, one actually rejects me.  I assure you the rejection is on her side, not mine.  But, I understand she believes what she is doing is right - 'sa pity though. I mean no insult toward anyone on this forum.  You're free to disagree with me.  Many people do.   This is a pretty complex one.  Socialism takes many forms, many of which we accept without even realizing it.  "Classism" does exist, for what it's worth.  Always has, probably always will.  But I don't feel like that is a subject for this forum.   As for the election, it's shaping up to be another one of those "hold your nose" deals.
    • Ivy
      Just some exerts regarding subjects of interest to me.
    • Ivy
      Yeah.  In my early teens I trained myself out of a few things that I now wish I hadn't.
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I was thinking in particular of BLM, who years ago had a 'What We Believe' section that sounded like they were at war with the nuclear family.   I tried to find it. Nope.  Of interest https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/aug/28/ask-politifact-does-black-lives-matter-aim-destroy/   My time is limited and I will try to answer as I can.
    • Ivy
      Well, I suppose it is possible that they don't actually plan on doing what they say.  I'm not too sure I want to take that chance.  But I kinda expect to find out.  Yet, perhaps you're right and it's all just talk.  And anyway, my state GOP is giving me enough to worry about anyway. I remember a time when being "woke" just meant you were paying attention.  Now it means you are the antichrist. I just don't want the government "protecting" me from my personal "delusions."
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...