Something I've been pondering...

[Fighter]

This is an honest and somewhat strange question. I'm currently quite overweight, about by 70 lbs or so (but I lost about 60 already), and have been trying to work it off (though it's really slow and driving me nuts). Anyway, that's kind of besides the point. My question is, would it be harder to lose weight after or during HRT than it would be to lose weight before? Or maybe even easier? Or would it make no real difference at all? I'm male-to-female by the way.

[Hikari]

Well, the general idea is that HRT slows your metabolism to what a female normally has or close to it. However, when people start HRT they tend to lose muscle mass which while further lowering metabolism, also has the effect of dropping pounds since muscle weighs more than fat.

I have been losing some weight too, and I am a bit fearful of some of the effects of lowered metabolism, but luckily we have a fair degree of control with exercise, on how our metabolism is. While I am not on HRT yet (still waiting for an interview, then they have to do labwork, then they will work out a regimen so it could be a few months) I have been eating small meals spaced throughout the day, and exercising. This has noticeably increased my metabolic rate.

I went from about 230lbs a few years ago, to my current of about 175, but my goal is still 140, so I am still packing a few pounds more than I should (which at the rate of .5-1.5 a week that I have been averaging I probably won't reach before HRT) So I will probably have to deal with a bit of loss while on HRT. I will be sure to let everyone know how that goes.

[Fighter]

The main problem is that I've been fat my entire life. I think my highest was 305 lbs in early High School. I've been able to drop it to about 250 over time, but I'd really rather not do anything to upset or slow down my metabolism until I can at least get to a healthier weight. I believe a healthy weight for my height (6'2") would be around 170 or 180 or so, but I'm really wondering if HRT would end up messing with my goal in a bad way.

[SilvermanUK]

As a Bio female who has a terrible metabolism due to many health factors, a few tips for you that have helped me.

I increased my fibre, examples of that were leaving the skins (cleaned of course) on potatoes, using sweet potatoes instead of standard potatoes (they are 3 x higher in fibre), brown pasta, brown bread, choosing cereals with bran in it, like a fruit and fibre cereal or based cereal.

I also reduced my carb intake and increased my veg intake (non high starch veg).

A good way of setting your portions up is breaking your plate up into 3 .. 1. Meat/protein 2. non starch veg 3. carb

If your still struggling reduce your carbs slightly.

Some people just cant lose effectively if their carb intake is too high. Watch your saturated fat intake.

Drink 2 litres of water a day.

Drink with your meals to feel fuller and chew your food slowly....savour it.

A good supplement for people struggling with metabolism is Sea Kelp (not to be taken if you have hypothyroidism).

Exercise is good but only part of the story. Good luck!

[LivingInGrey]

I wouldn't take to much stock in what a "healthy" weight is for a person 6'2 if your using the BMI system.

I'm 6' and weigh 240 pounds but I have a lot of muscle hiding under my gut, my target weight is 210 pounds. Don't use the BMI system to judge what your healthy weight should be especially if you have a fair amount of muscle mass.

Not trying to sound rude about this, but big guys that are at least a little active generally have a fair amount of muscle mass in order to help move all that extra weight around. It would be like having to carry a thin woman around on your shoulders EVERY hour of EVERY day. Even a guy that weighs 140 pounds would jump up 30 pounds in muscle after a while from having to carry the extra weight around.

The best way to judge what your "target" weight should be is to have a trainer measure you for % body fat. Once you know what your % of body fat is currently they can do the math and tell you what your "target" weight should be and they would be able to help you target areas that might need more work then others for weight loss. If you just simply 'starve' yourself to weight loss (eating less then your average caloric output) you could end up burning away some muscle mass in areas you might not want to burn up (end up with chicken legs or what not).

Also remember, muscle weighs more then fat (inch for inch). And the average for a 'man' in % body fat is 18% - 24%. Anything below that and your talking about people who work out regularly to professional athletes. Anything above that is considered obese. A visual reference would be the '6 pack abs', These people are BELOW what is considered essential body fat... ranging around 4% before you can actually see all 6 of the ab muscles.

[Forever21Chic]

   Yeah HRT for the mtf makes it harder to lose weight so if you really wanna shed those pounds do it before hand.