Could somebody help me with this? Losing fat pre-HRT

[Squidz]

I'm currently doing the Insanity workout program. Only a few days in. Even as a male, I've wanted a flat stomach and a nice beach body, I still want that once I am a female, minus the muscular arms I suppose.

But I know that breasts, butt, curves, etc, are the result of fat redistributing (i think), I have my letter for HRT and I don't know when I'll be on it since I just got it. (I'm only 15 if that helps).

Basically, will the fat I lose from working out negatively effect me in the future when HRT slows down my metabolism and I start to grow breasts. Somebody told me the fat doesn't redistribute, but new fat goes to those areas instead.

As a female, I still want a flat stomach and maybe some abs.

This is the last problem I have that HRT worries me about, help would be much appreciated.

[Laura26]

Hi Squidz,

Pre-HRT I had a similar concern.  I'd also read that hormones slow down your metabolism, so I was concerned about gaining weight after I started.  So leading up to hormones I reduced my calorie in take gradually (nothing dramatic) so that I could adjust to them.  Like you I also wanted to lose fat before starting HRT, and this did result in me losing a few pounds.

I've been on HRT for 10 months now and I've been able to maintain my weight comfortably so I was successful in that regard.  I have lost some further weight whilst being on HRT, although I have lost muscle mass so it's hard to say how much of it was fat. 

My doctor has since told me that I should eat more pies if I want more curves!  I still find this funny now, as really I have the cis-girl dilemma of how do I get bigger boobs without developing a beer gut (a commonly googled question this).  I know that you can't spot reduce fat, so I'm dubious about spot gaining - but I really don't understand how fat redistribution works for MTFs.

My doctor always told me to look at my family for a good guide as to what I could expect.  My sister has a flat stomach, but she has no hips or boobs either.  While my Mum is from the same mold, but overweight - and so does have plenty of curve to her.  My body meanwhile is becoming similar to my sister's as I do have a flat stomach.  My breast development is ok, but not great and is inline with my sister really.  If this becomes a problem for me there's always surgery.

So yes I'd say look at your family and see how curvy the female members are who aren't overweight.  It should give you a good guide as to what to expect. 

As far as I know, I don't think there's an optimal nutrition plan for MTFs around that can ensure good development whilst avoiding unwanted weight gain.

[Cyndigurl45]

P90x bring it I do that plus shipping cardio and portion CONTROL loose the sodas and just do it about 180 minutes a week

[Shantel]

muscle mass takes up one third the volume pound as does fat mass. Muscle mass doesn't necessarily have to translate into bulk, using light weights and more reps is the key to good toning for both MtF and FM types. Excess belly fat eventually leads to vascular and heart problems. A sedentary lifestyle for anyone on HRT can lead to thrombosis [stroke].
Diets usually don't work, however there is one that does. Generally when a person diets  their body goes into the starvation mode and begins to automatically store fat, any weight lost is lost muscle mass. HCG is a hormone that is found in pregnant women that causes the body to release the stored fatty tissue in cells for the body to use as energy. Think of it like a little PacMan gobbling up your stored fat. During the course of the HCG diet you only consume between 500 -700 calories of food per day, however the HCG is releasing anywhere from 1500 - 2000 calories of fat that your body will consume per day. I lost fifty pounds as a result of this diet done in conjunction with my daily workout at the local fitness center. I have a nice visible set of abs which look incredible just below my breasts. This is not something you want to get online, go talk with a naturopathic doctor and they will get it for you from a compounding pharmacy along with the necessary literature. You will learn in a secondary phase all about the caloric values of food and what portion sizes will be best for you to maintain a great looking body.

[Shantel]

P90x bring it I do that plus shipping cardio and portion CONTROL loose the sodas and just do it about 180 minutes a week

Hi Cyndigurl!
      Funny you'd mention this, a gal at the fitness center was telling me all about p90x this very morning. We're both big abs crunchers, she says this is the way to go!

[Cyndigurl45]

Hi Cyndigurl!
      Funny you'd mention this, a gal at the fitness center was telling me all about p90x this very morning. We're both big abs crunchers, she says this is the way to go!

when I started I was a 250 pound fat chick now I'm 180 and still dropping goal is to be 150 again

[Amalina]

when I started I was a 250 pound fat chick now I'm 180 and still dropping goal is to be 150 again

Hey, I was wondering, if you don't mind my asking. Are you on hrt now and if so did you lose that weight on it? I have been concerned also about the slower metabolism and needing to lose the weight first before starting, but I've read a lot of conflicting info lately across the net on how necessary losing it first really is. I'm around 300 right now and having a real hard time losing it without even being on hrt yet, I worry that if I don't get rid of it by the time I start I will be stuck this big if not worse off with possible gain.

Also have heard of P90x as well but it sounded more like a toning routine instead of a weight loss tool. Would be nice to find out it's potentially both.

Thanks.

[Jeneva]

Hey, I was wondering, if you don't mind my asking. Are you on hrt now and if so did you lose that weight on it? I have been concerned also about the slower metabolism and needing to lose the weight first before starting, but I've read a lot of conflicting info lately across the net on how necessary losing it first really is. I'm around 300 right now and having a real hard time losing it without even being on hrt yet, I worry that if I don't get rid of it by the time I start I will be stuck this big if not worse off with possible gain.

You CAN lose weight on HRT.  You can even lose weight on HRT and anti-depressants.

It does not get any easier, but it is possible.

[Bird]

My metabolism was something unexplainable before HRT, now it is still over the top. So it depends on how your body is. Me, if I go a day or two days eating salld, I lose a kilogram. A kilogram in two days. I can lose 10 kilograms in a month, on HRT.

On another hand, I have problems with weight gain, even on HRT. My GP was really worried about me for a while, because I lost about 14 kgs in the first few months of HRT.

[Cyndigurl45]

A huge misconception about HRT and loosing weight, think about like this, are there muscular women?  Yes so HRT doesn't change that all it's gonna do is redistribute your fat, how much you keep is still up to you and how bad you want it.

[pebbles]

You shouldn't be trying to loose weight if your weight class is normal.
To starve yourself while you start HRT would be rather pointless to your goals if you take HRT your body will change (or least try to) in order to do it you will need good nutritious foods.

I myself only gained half a stone since begin on HRT and I'm still a normal BMI in practice you might not gain any weight at all. However you need to note somthings.

1: Your musculature will shrink and the weight will be turned into fat and it's estrogenic fat so it will goto your ass/abdomen no matter what you do. And the amount of muscle tone you have is likley to decrease. in my case I'm MUCH "squidgier" than I used to be with a thicker layer of fat and a thinner underlying musculature.
2: Your metabolism is lower so while you might not gain weight you might have to eat alittle less (10% or so)

[Amalina]

Thanks for the info.

I don't think you were talking to me but my BMI is way too high, according to wii fit at least it's at almost 46. According to some health sites I've looked at a healthy weight for my height is around 160 as male and 150 tops as female. Being 300, I have a bit I need to get rid of bleh.

Also I'm not that muscular, though that aspect still kinda freaks me out. It's odd my arms an legs are somewhat normal looking, all my fat is in my stomach it seems. It's good to know that it's not quite as bad as some make it out on hrt. I really have been stressing lately on how this diet is failing, it's entirely due to my inability to control how much and what I eat. Having so much to lose it has been making me feel like it would take years to even start hrt if I had to wait for the weight loss. Of course I will talk to a doctor long before I do anything and will keep working on it.

Thats also good to hear about the anti depressants, not sure if I'll still be on them though by then.

Bird, last summer I dropped soda and bread from my diet and lost about 20 pounds in a month without trying or any other changes. So not sure if that means my metabolism is good and I suck at eating or what. I really need to figure out how to eat better, I'm just so picky and can't stomach anything healthy.

Thanks all, I appreciate the feedback, makes me feel a little better.

[Dana_H]

Soda is my one really big guilty pleasure. I lost 10 pounds just by switching from standard soda containing high-fructose corn syrup to soda with cane sugar. No other changes to diet or exercise regime. Now I'm working on ramping off the soda entirely (which will make my dentist happy, too. ).  I refuse to switch to diet soda; the taste of artificial sweeteners makes me want to gag.

Fortunately, aside from soda, I have a fairly healthy diet simply by preference. As for exercise, I have a half-mile walk from where I can park to the building where I work. Taking it at a brisk pace gets my pulse right into my target zone and puts a healthy burn into my leg muscles.

Diet, exercise, hydration, and proper sleep; old fashioned, but still the best game in town.