Strength and fitness FTM HRT

[Oneal]

Hey, just a couple of random questions about the effects of HRT has on MTF strength and fitness...

I am quite a slim but athletically built person. I have an average bmi, and I enjoy working out and going to the gym.

I am really hoping to start on HRT as soon as possible. I am not content with the general look and shape of my body but I do like the fact that it is apparent that I care for myself and my body through the gym.
I'm aware that muscle growth and strength will be effected by HRT but by how much? My goal is to have a nice curvy but toned body... Ideally being as strong as possible.

Many thanks

[Rachel]

HTR will reduce T and muscle. E will promote fat storage.

I go to a LGBT gym and have a trainer that is variant. She and I share a lot and I do not hold back.

My goal is great nutrition, lean muscle growth and core exercising. We work on cardio, nutrition and core.

Losing fat is 4 times harder now and gaining lean muscle is difficult in comparison to having T in my system.

Tone and curvy depends on genetics, age, food, exercise, types of exercise and HRT.

You most likely will gain a layer of fat under your skin that will soften your look.

Like anything HRT related YMMV

[Cindy]

My BMI is 19 I'm lean, go to the gym three times a week and have been for my morning run. My upper body strength has dropped by over a half, legs not at all. Yes I have a subcutaneous layer of body fat that gives me definition, everything is wonderful. Just keep fit and healthy and when you go for your morning run look out for snakes and don't try to chase kangaroos, they are too quick!

Welcome to the site young lady !

[Oneal]

So upper body strength is a definite loss, but lower body not so much? If that is the case then it's not too bad. Just as long as it's still possible to build/maintain muscle

[Mallory]

Take a gander at female bodybuilders, cross fit competitors, track and field athletes, and especially female swimmers; all have crazy amounts of definition and some are larger in regards to muscle mass than a majority of average men.

Strength and endurance training are still very much applicable and you will still see improvements given you know what you're doing (methodology).

Funny enough, the last time I went hiking a woman blew by me (on the side of a mountain, 45 degree incline going up) with who I assumed to be her boyfriend/husband; her legs were utterly massive, larger than mine even, and my legs are about as big around as a very petite woman's waist.

All shapes and sizes and you grow where you train.

[Oneal]

Thank you! That's good to hear, I wasn't sure if the constant use of HRT would limit results.

As long as a slight muscular female curvy shape is possible I'll be more than happy

[Mallory]

Just don't worry too much. I was concerned about the same thing due to my job requiring a minimal lift of 65 lbs (I overhead lift up to 115 lbs of metal that's 10 ft long multiple times a day, every day). I stopped worrying because I do it every day and it'd take years to atrophy, if at all. Whey protein, good nutrition, and tons of billygoating mountains (which I love to do anyway) if all else fails, right?

[Oneal]

I suppose, I know it probably sounds silly but it's just something I don't really want to lose. I've read many personal experiences from people and some seem to like the fact that they lose most of their strength, require help from others doing heavy tasks and just enjoy the sense of vubrability they gain with what comes with the loss of strength.

Personally I don't like my physical appearance. I feel my body image doesn't reflect the one my mind portrays, but saying that I am a very independant and proud person. So losing the abitily to do certain things that require strength I think I might struggle with mentally if that makes sense.

Anyone feel or experience anything similar?

[Mallory]

Makes perfect sense. I'm ex-infantry; there's no way, regardless of gender or presentation, that I would ever allow myself to feel vulnerable; plenty of cis females feel the same way. Misconception is that you have to be ultra femme to be female; not at all.

I'm 30 pounds overweight. All we can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other and change what we don't like and accept less than perfection for ourselves and no one else.

[Oneal]

It's nice to hear that

When you say overweight do you mean through muscle mass or body fat if you don't mind me asking? As I believe that while neither of the two will make a woman and less beautiful or less of a woman, 30lb of muscle world definitely have a positive impact of physical strength.

[Mallory]

I honestly couldn't tell you. I can tell you that my biceps, when pulled tight, are almost as tall as my face from chin to hair line.  18.5-19" or so in diameter. I have a muffin top and a little extra on the inner thighs. I'd say 185 at 5'9" would put me at <16% body fat which is fairly lean  Right now id say I'm 22-24% body fat but I feel like I'm at 18%. Its silly.

Just took a look at what I've been eating the last few months at a local quick stop. Yeah, I wont be eating there anymore and its no wonder I haven't dropped nearly close to as much as I should have eating healthier (tons of trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium in the junk ive had for lunch every day).

But yeah, I'm so over that "I have to be ultra femme" thing; don't be afraid to be strong/fit/healthy.