I feel a little lost at this point.

[jainie marlena]

I have had to train a lot of new people at work the past few weeks or so. One guy did not know if I was a man or a woman. This last guy kept sitting by me. He started the conversation with, how much do you lift? I said, what? How much weight do you lift? I started looking at my arms and thought he clocked me. It hurt my feeling but I did not say anything. I told him I don't lift weights. He said DAM! you are just naturally cut. I said I guess so. It took me a minute actually I am just going to get to the point and make a long story short. Sometimes when people are talking and it sound like we are being clocked don't judge by what you are hearing. It may not be what you are thinking. I have been coming out so much I don't know when to stop. I SUCK!!!! I had no idea what he was thinking. He was sitting there talking to me. He was talking to a woman. He thought I was just a woman that liked working out. I could not believe it I outed myself not even knowing it. 

I feel a little lost at this point. I wish I new what to do? Why in the heck can't I stop opening my big mouth. I assume that I don't pass and other people, people that don't know me seem to think other wise but I have truoble seeing it. some just don't know if I am male or female.

I have been talking with my supervisor about others using the propper pronouns so those coming in will just take the pronouns on. He is getting with others to figure out how to go about this. It has never been done here. first time for the company to work with someone transitioning. If you have any ideas I would be glad to here them.

[JoanneB]

As you just learned, sometimes a small dose of the truth is handy. The better answer was likely more along the lines of "I used to but not any more". I know two MTFs who were/are avid to competitive swimmers. When you spend a lot of your life in the water like they have, be it male or female, you tend have great upper body development. In a few more days you'll see that same development on all the female Olympic swimmers.

[Diane Elizabeth]

  Janie, I missed something in the story.  How did you out yourself when you told him that you did not lift weights? 

Diane

[AbraCadabra]

As you just learned, sometimes a small dose of the truth is handy. The better answer was likely more along the lines of "I used to but not any more". I know two MTFs who were/are avid to competitive swimmers. When you spend a lot of your life in the water like they have, be it male or female, you tend have great upper body development. In a few more days you'll see that same development on all the female Olympic swimmers.

True.
I used to do windsurfing and it also had some major effect on my upper body strength.
Then I did woodworking with mostly had tools, hand plains... etc. more of the same.

I do mention at times, that I had done windsurfing. Not really many, but some women did that and got much more then usual upper body strength.

I have a suspicion that in my 'stealth' environment, I'm thought to be some oldie femme-dyke. Not too far from the truth that is...

The only thing then I noticed, that straight women are a bit 'cautious' --- you might be coming on to them. I guess some 'standard' female homophobia kicking in?

I do NOT mention woodworking. It'd be just one size too big for most straight women, giggle.

Lastly, it is only more of late that I'm starting to miss a bit of my strength ... and I'm not so sure anymore, this to be a desirable thing.

Changing well-toned arms for over-cooked chicken-wings (mommy arms)?
Just to be 'more' female? Really?

Axélle

[Jam]

True.
I used to do windsurfing and it also had some major effect on my upper body strength.
Then I did woodworking with mostly had tools, hand plains... etc. more of the same.

I do mention at times, that I had done windsurfing. Not really many, but some women did that and got much more then usual upper body strength.

I have a suspicion that in my 'stealth' environment, I'm thought to be some oldie femme-dyke. Not too far from the truth that is...

The only thing then I noticed, that straight women are a bit 'cautious' --- you might be coming on to them. I guess some 'standard' female homophobia kicking in?

I do NOT mention woodworking. It'd be just one size too big for most straight women, giggle.

Lastly, it is only more of late that I'm starting to miss a bit of my strength ... and I'm not so sure anymore, this to be a desirable thing.

Changing well-toned arms for over-cooked chicken-wings (mommy arms)?
Just to be 'more' female? Really?

Axélle

But off topic here but how did you get into wood working? I'm wanting to do something similar myself.

To the OP are you sure you outed ourself? I mean when you said you didn't work out he automatically assumed you were just built that way.

[jainie marlena]

  Janie, I missed something in the story.  How did you out yourself when you told him that you did not lift weights? 

Diane

I assumed I was outed and told him the truth. I don't mind being out I would just like to be seen as myself but I don't even know when someone sees me until I open my big mouth. I used to think the others talked about me behind my back but I'm starting to realize I am the only one talking about me. lol. I'm going to start letting my guard down and just enjoy changes as they come.

I don't make things out of wood just stack it to dry.