MTF and muscle mass.

[Kevin Peña]

I know that a lot of MTFs stop strength training during transition so that they shrink down. However, I want to be a firefighter/paramedic, so that's not an option. 

Is it possible to shrink down on HRT without cessation of training? 

[Brooke777]

If you do a work out regime that is conducive to muscle strength and endurance as apposed to muscle mass you should be able to obtain the strong, sleek look. Although, this will be easier to obtain once you are on E.  I recommend a mid weight, high rep workout.

[Kevin Peña]

Oh, so I'm perfectly fine already. 

PS--> Wow, you are quick! 

[Brooke777]

Oh, so I'm perfectly fine already. 

PS--> Wow, you are quick! 

My job is way too easy. I have so much free time. Plus, I love helping people when it comes to various work outs. I used to do it as one of my duties for a past employer.

[RedFox]

I second what Diana said.  Work on endurance and not strength so much.  Lighter weights and more reps.

Things like Crossfit, P90X, Insanity, TRX, etc.... all those use mostly bodyweight training and should give you strength without big size gain.

Personally I'd focus on core training and practical useful strength.  Find the heaviest thing you'll have to carry (and how far) and use that as your goal for strength.

[Kevin Peña]

Work on endurance and not strength so much.  Lighter weights and more reps.

Well, to be clear, my definition of "light weight" is 300, which I can lift 8 times, 16 if I go to failure. 

I need strength if I'm going to be carrying people.

[Brooke777]

Well, to be clear, my definition of "light weight" is 300, which I can lift 8 times. 

I need strength if I'm going to be carrying people.

I'm sorry but, when I said light weight I meant a weight you can lift 30 reps for 3 sets. Just lifting a weight 8 times will build mass.

[Kevin Peña]

I'm sorry but, when I said light weight I meant a weight you can lift 30 reps for 3 sets. Just lifting a weight 8 times will build mass.

Well, I made an edit to make it clear. I never train to failure, but I can lift 300 16 times if I do. Is that good? 

[Brooke777]

Well, I made an edit to make it clear. I never train to failure, but I can lift 300 16 times if I do. Is that good? 

16 is much better than 8...much better. I would still recommend lightening the weight (for now) to something you can do 30 times. Also, how are you lifting it? That will have a huge impact on how your body develops. You should be able to work up to that weight without too much bulk. It really depends on your biology. A lot of this type of knowledge will start to become common sense for you once you get used to it.

[Kevin Peña]

Also, how are you lifting it?

What?

[Brooke777]

What?

Bench, squat, dead lift, etc

[Kevin Peña]

Deadlift - 300 to 8 (16 to failure)
Squat 270 to 8 (18 to failure)

I don't bench press. The above is essentially all of the weight training I do. The rest consists of handstand pushups, planche pushups, ring dips, one-armed and front lever pullups, one-legged squats, and other advanced body weight work.. I use weight on these exercises sometimes, but just a light 10 lb vest.

[JennX]

I still weight-train mostly with free weights, and sometime machines (Smith, leg press). I've weight-lifted almost my whole life, so I just cut back on the weight and upped the reps. I used to be able to bench 320 pounds... I'm down to benching 150 pounds (on a good day) . I can still leg press over 200 pounds though. Weight training is a great way to burn calories and helps maintain bone strength. Also, chest flies & cable crossovers are great at adding definition to your chest muscles w/o adding too much mass. Just like most things in life, moderation is the key and don't get too carried away with it. Cardio, in the form of running, biking, and swimming makes up most of my work-out time now, but I still weight-train 3 times per week for 1 hour each.

[Kevin Peña]

Oh Jenn, high five. 

[AusBelle]

I've been going to the gym for the last few years and have been doing cardio and some weights.  But haven't really shed any kilos or seen any results, mainly as I wasn't watching my diet (and eating badly).  That had a lot to do with the last lot of HRT I was on and years of brain fog.  But a few months ago I went on Zumeron and I finally snapped out of the brain fogginess.  Since then I've been shedding weight by recording what I eat.  Not feeling hungry all the time really helps too. 

In December I started  The New Rules of  Lifting  for Women and am really seeing great results.  I'm determined now to get back to my post SRS weight 

http://www.thenewrulesoflifting.com/nrol-for-women

While I'm definitely putting on muscle mass, it's definitely not showing in the form of muscles like in a guy.  It's more of a toned and defined look.  The weight is slowly coming off, but the results are more a drop in clothes size and a great feeling of well being.  In short I'm loving it.  It does take a bit of will power to go into the weights area at the gym where all the guys hang out in groups, but you get used to it 

[JulieC.]

I really need to start some sort of work out routine as well.  I have never worked out a day in my life.  My job is very physical and I lift heavy things all day long.  That and being blessed with good genes I have stayed in great shape my whole life.  But in the last couple of months (started hrt about 10 months ago) I have noticed I am losing some of my strength.  And worse...I'm putting on some weight.  Not just where I want to (that's OK) but also in my tummy area.  I'm not too worried about the strength issue because I can still lift everything I need to and I learned long ago how you lift things is more important than how much it weighs.  I am worried about the weight problem though.  I can see from my friends that getting rid of belly fat at my age is really tough.  I don't know if the hormones have anything to do with the weight gain. 

[FrozenValkyrie]

If i really want to transition i will also have to adjust my training, i am currentlty doing a strengh/muscle mass training. It will not be good for a feminine shape 

[Just Ole Me]

Perhaps let your muscle shrink slowly until you hit that "sweet" spot of strength you need but build you like?

[Elspeth]

If i really want to transition i will also have to adjust my training, i am currentlty doing a strengh/muscle mass training. It will not be good for a feminine shape 

I hope this doesn't sound judgmental, but why would you do that to yourself?

Granted, I'm someone who took terrible care of my body as long as I was not actively moving to transition, but actually trying to "bulk up" was one thing I definitely tried to avoid. Bad enough that various prescribed drugs caused me to add on weight I didn't need, getting added muscle mass would have left me deeply depressed beyond any levels I already reached? Was this something you did for occupational reasons?

[Ms.Behavin]

Well a long time ago I use to do 700 pound leg presses plus all the normal high bulk lifting.  From a MtF transitioning standpoint  strength training, that is high weight and low reps  is not your friend.  It will work against the transition if that's where you want to go. 

You need LIGHT weight and high rep and avoid bulk / strength building like the plague.  Plus if you do transition loosing muscle mass will be that much harder in the long run.  I know that all too well.