Back to gym?

[PHXGiRL]

Question.

The other day I found myself admiring Carmen Carerra's body. I know with HRT a lot of physical development is due to our family genes but my question is if I get back in the gym, can I develop nice hips and feminine lower body just by doing certain work outs.

Prior to transition I spent a lot in the gym as a male. I'm scared if I start working out I will devolpe more muscle and my T will rise? Is this true?

I know I only get one shot and feminizing my body here in these beginning stages. I want to do the best I can to get the body I have always wanted. I know results vary but I can try right?






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[Isabelle]

Before this post Id never heard of this person. I looked up other images of them and I'm pretty much blown away by their figure. Surely that can't be natural? There must have been surgeries? Obviously FFS and BA but, their rib cage, waist and hips look like they've had surgical work done?

[muuu]

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[Tristan]

you can get a body something like that with hard work at the gym and fasting

[Riley Skye]

My suggestion is to do cardio such as running or perhaps swimming, lifting some weights won't be bad either. I also never heard of anyones T rising from working

[Shantel]

How would you know that her photos aren't photo shop enhanced like many of the VS models are?

[tomthom]

even if they are enhanced, these are perfectly attainable resuls. I have almost the exact same body type.

[Shantel]

even if they are enhanced, these are perfectly attainable resuls. I have almost the exact same body type.

I suppose you're right because on second look it does seem as if the person in the before photo has a rather slight build through the waist and chest. Personally I think it's always helpful to have a good workout at the gym using only the lightest weights and a lot of reps for tone coupled with a good cardio workout. T levels don't go up as far as I can tell. The hips and thighs on that woman in the photo came as a result of hormones and genetic propensities because they sure weren't in evidence in the before photo which appear to be typically male slim legs.

[PHXGiRL]

I have a similar figure w/ no surgery... but there is no muscle on the hips... I think it is just based on how your pelvis turns out.  I do a lot of running but my weight stays about the same, really I think slimming down helps with that figure..

How long have you been on the magic pills? See that's what I'm wondering from her pictures. She use to be a drag queen prior so I wonder if she was always on a low dose then kicked it up when she decided to transition. I can't find any monthly progress pictures of her online.

even if they are enhanced, these are perfectly attainable resuls. I have almost the exact same body type.

Really? Just from Hormones or are you doing cardio too?

Carmen Carrera's body always amazed me. I think shes had work done... but what do I know? She has had breasts done, trach shave and nose job as far as I know from her youtube channel.

PLEASE CARMEN TELL US YOUR SECRET!

I wrote her a message on facebook hopefully she responds!

[tomthom]

I'm not currently on HRT, but I have the same bone structure and my muscle can tighten to her level in about a week of intense workouts. My metabolic process is simply that ridiculous. I'll be starting HRT within the next 6 months  (hopefully 3) and when that happens I'll be sure to tell you how it goes in terms of the fat distribution and such.

[AusBelle]

I've been doing a program called "The New Lifting Rules for Women" over the last few months and have seen amazing results.  I used to have a pretty decent figure around SRS time a long time ago, but over the years put on heaps of weight and became quite blobby.  This is all coming off now and I'm regaining the shape (actually a better shape) that I had before.  This program involves lifting weights (obviously) and a lot of core work - lunges, squats, planking, push ups, body matrix work, Swiss ball crunches etc etc.  This combined with better eating habits - no junk food, watching calories, no processed food and lots of whole foods and protein, is working wonders!

I certainly haven't put on any noticeable muscle, but I didn't expect to post op.  Just lots of toning.  Not sure how the lifting part would work pre op, but the core would work.

[Mohini]

Gosh dang, I better start exercising and eating healthy if I want to have a sexy body like that! 

I've been... gaining weight for a while now. *pokes tummy chubbles*

[Madisyn]

Sadly that will never be me, my ribcage is too large and I have broad shoulders.  I'll just end up being a fit plus sized woman I guess.

In the end working out helps but a proper diet helps more.  You have to fuel your body properly so that it burns fat and doesn't go into starvation mode.  Good lean muscle will continue to burn fat long after the cardio session is done, just something to remember.

[tomthom]

madisyn, her shoulders are very wide too. in the female picture if you notice she's tilting her body back to create the illusion of small shoulders. that and most supermodels have broad shoulders. it makes for a better presentation.

here is a pic of some models. take a look at the shoulder to hip ratio yourself. this is why I tell people to look at real skeletons rather than illustrations that show the "average" woman (a total fabrication by the way.)

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/09_01/supermodsGPX_468x468.jpg

[Joanna Dark]

Doing squats will raise your T level but if you're on an AA I'm not sure if it will. I know squats are one of the most important exercises for bodybuilders as they raise T and help build muscle as a result. I'd stay away from the just in case. I don't mean squats with no barbell on the shoulders, I mean lifting heavy weights, if that is even possible with all the estrogen. Other exercises will have no effect on T. I'm not sure of the mechanism behind squats and T but it is there. Of course, this may be a bodybuilder myth. I'd stick with cycling (or another cardio exercise) and yoga.

[tomthom]

unless you want to puff up like a balloon and be just as poppable.

[Nicolette]

Doing squats will raise your T level but if you're on an AA I'm not sure if it will. I know squats are one of the most important exercises for bodybuilders as they raise T and help build muscle as a result. I'd stay away from the just in case. I don't mean squats with no barbell on the shoulders, I mean lifting heavy weights, if that is even possible with all the estrogen.

You mean all the estrogen women have circulating in their bodies cripples them?

My T levels are barely detectable and have no problems doing heavy squats.

Women do it all the time. But you know that already. 
http://soumyaabsolutebeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/how-to-get-bigger-butt-and-wider-hips.html

[Joanna Dark]

You mean all the estrogen women have circulating in their bodies cripples them?

My T levels are barely detectable and have no problems doing heavy squats.

Women do it all the time. But you know that already. 
http://soumyaabsolutebeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/how-to-get-bigger-butt-and-wider-hips.html

Yes, it is a biological fact that testosterone promotes muscle growth and squats in particular increase circulating T levels (at least people say this a lot). This men are much stringer. But no estrogen doens't cripple you, I'm talking about squatting with 150 lbs on your back. You haven't seen any decrease in strength on E. It just seems strange but...what do i know. Why would you want do heavy squats they promote massive muscle growth that WILL not go away. Muscle never forgets. It's called muscle memory.

[muuu]

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[Joanna Dark]

No what I meant was let's say you work out and build a lot of muscles, then stop and the muscles atrophy. When you start working out again, the muscles come back a lot quicker because they are always there under the surface just waiting to be worked out. See this: http://news.discovery.com/human/genetics/muscles-memory-strength.htm