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   7 Members, 0 Anonymous, 76 Guests (See full list)

    • April Marie
    • Ashley0616
    • Ivy
    • awkward-yet-sweet
    • MaeBe
    • Petra Jane
    • Lorelei
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.5k
    • Total Posts
      767.2k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      11,940
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Raelyn
    Newest Member
    Raelyn
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. **Angela Charlotte **
      **Angela Charlotte **
    2. Carlie
      Carlie
      (63 years old)
    3. Cbxshawn
      Cbxshawn
      (49 years old)
    4. HannahO
      HannahO
      (31 years old)
    5. JustKatie
      JustKatie
      (40 years old)
  • Posts

    • Ivy
      I don't understand why this would make a difference being a "dad" I mean, as far as how they would grow.
    • Ashley0616
      I don't see why not. I have worn forms since I came out. 
    • MaeBe
      I have never worn breastforms, but I assume as long as they don't aggravate your nipples you could.
    • MaeBe
      Every week I've been excited to take my shot, so it's never been an issue. Yesterday, however, I woke up and started my usual "slow roll" and then suddenly realized I had breakfast plans that I had to rush out the door for. After, it was straight into work calls, and then I got the notification from the doctor about things being too high and all the while my mind had completely slipped that I needed take my shot.   Given that I am not asking for medical advice, but sharing my journey, I will note my results: Estradiol at 447 pg/mL and Testosterone was 23 ng/dL, up and down from 26 pg/mL and 526 ng/dL respectively before treatment. Almost flipped the bit! The doc would like my Estradiol closer to 300 pg/mL, so we'll see what Monday's tests state.   Oh, and I teased the dinner with old soccer teammates and never updated the thread! It went well. There were a couple funny moments. One guy, who I was worried about their response, greeted me with "Hey, you've lost some weight!" 😎 And a friend who lives near me picked me up on the way to dinner exclaimed, after we learned one of the invitees might show up with a date, "Wait! We could have brought women?!" To which I instantly responded, "You kind of did, bringing me!" Everyone got a good laugh out of that. 😁
    • Ashley0616
      To me there isn't that much difference other the measurement, which side the zipper is on and men's pants have bigger pockets. 
    • missyjo
      I hope this is not stupid question..I have yet to start n not sure if doc will approve..but once you start growing buds n such, can you still wear forms to get to the size you were?   I'm a dad, so when I start blossoms they will be smaller for a long time n probably need surgical augmented..that's fine. I don't want to go ddd to aa to ddd..   any ideas?   thank you
    • missyjo
      April sounds fun..I keep some boy jeans to visit mom in..fir now   hugs
    • Ivy
      I like them too.  We had them growing up.  But my father's family were Swedes.
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      Oh my!  I guess it just goes to show how different tastes can be. Since we don't live near the ocean, Seafood is a rare luxury. We absolutely love pickled herring! Especially my husband and my GF, I guess it's a Ferman/Russian cultural thing.  But most of the kids like it too, and a jar wouldn't last in the pantry for long 😆
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      I think the key to that is just not minding eating the same thing repeatedly. Since we produce a lot of our own food here, we end up eating what is in season at the moment. So, when the yellow squash is ripening, we end up fixing squash 20 different ways. When the strawberries are ready, we eat lots of strawberries. It's kind of a different mindset to eat in season when it has become such a part of American culture but the grocery store has everything we want all the time. Like grapes in December.  My family does even things out a little bit by having a greenhouse so we have some fresh things in the winter, but it's not a 100% fix.
    • KathyLauren
      My brothers and I had to eat what was on the plate.  All of it, and nothing else.  Pickiness was not tolerated.  Some of our least favourite were liver and onions, sauerkraut, and especially rollmops (pickled herring).  We finally protested enough to persuade our mother not to serve rollmops, though she kept a jar in the pantry for years afterwards, as a threat if we didn't behave.
    • Carolyn Marie
      I'll go first.  My favorite team is the Yankees.  Loved them since I was a kid.  I was born in NYC so, yeah.  I know everyone loves to hate them, and that's OK.  I just love baseball in general.  It's a game of traditions, strategy, power, grace and skill.   Play Ball!!  ⚾   Carolyn Marie
    • Ashley0616
      I guess you do have a good point. It's just hard to try and not have the same meals over and over again. 
    • Willow
      Hi   I’ll weigh in on being picky about food.  Yes, and I was brought up that way.  We didn’t have to eat everything our parents ate.  They had a number of things they ate that they figured we wouldn’t eat, an acquired taste things or one or the other didn’t like them too.   even as an adult there are many things I won’t eat.  In my defense, there are different things my wife won’t eat.   the weird thing is that after being in E, my tastes have changed.  Sweet, sour, salty or bland, if I eat or drink too much of any one thing and I have to counter act it.   Willow
    • Ashley0616
      I have shared my doses and levels a lot and no one has said anything. Yeah I put alarms on my phone to make sure I don't miss a dose. I tend to forget a lot of stuff on what needs to be done. I have been also using the calendar on my phone a lot. I missed an appointment because I didn't put it in my calendar. 
  • 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...