Muscle loss

[Kristen Wave]

You ever see a female bodybuilder? Some are ripped. Its more than just T alone. Muscle use, genetics, and other physiological factors also play a part.

I know that there are some ripped female body builders but the ones you see that are really large usually take steroids(testosterone) the ones that dont use steroids are much smaller. Though they are still larger than most regular women out there. Women also have less testosterone receptors so even when they use steroids they rarely if ever get even close to the size of male body builders. Also all women have Testosterone but just in significantly lower levels than men. I personally have less than 1ng/dl of testosterone because of cyproterone acetate and I run 15 miles a day still and do push up and sit ups and I'm still loosing muscle mass.

[Nicolette]

<hidden member>
I personally have less than 1ng/dl of testosterone because of cyproterone acetate

I thought I was low at 11ng/dl, but <1ng/dl is seriously low. I can imagine that with lots of cardio as a means of muscle loss.

[Alainaluvsu]

I thought I was low at 11ng/dl, but <1ng/dl is seriously low. I can imagine that with lots of cardio as a means of muscle loss.

With that low of T, it's hard to do cardio since fatigue sets in VERY quickly. I'm consistently testing <10 and I need constant naps and I get muscle fatigue with the quickness....

[Nicolette]

With that low of T, it's hard to do cardio since fatigue sets in VERY quickly. I'm consistently testing <10 and I need constant naps and I get muscle fatigue with the quickness....

I do struggle with cardio, maybe that's why. I find that within a few minutes of being on the exercise bike I can feel a lactic acid build up in my legs and have to take it down a few notches and have to take it at a leisurely pace. Pre-hrt, cycling always used to be my forte. But <hidden member> is doing 15 miles a day with <1ng/dl. That's tough and probably requires a lot of mind control over pain. I suppose it helps having done it for years.

[misschievous]

That worries me about HRT. I haven't started HRT yet and I am really skinny for a man. Women my height seem to have more muscle mass in their arms. I don't go to the gym but my job has me lifting 30- 100 lbs all day. I don't seem to gain muscle mass and I eat alot. I am 6'4" and weigh between 160 and 175.

[Cindy]

I have <1 ng of T and have no fatigue problems. I ran 10km today and did a 90min gym session and feel fine, well sore, but fine.

I have cut out lunch and just have a piece of fruit. But have a good breakfast and a good evening meal. No weight gain and the sculpture is looking pretty good.

Exercise very regularly and have lost upper body but that is all. Interesting comment about the legs BTW, I have noticed no lose at all in legs. I was doing a 60 x 80 kg inverted leg squats today and they felt fine. I do wear compression shorts to keep the hamstrings from popping.

When I was pre HT  I was doing 60 x 60 kg, so no loss at all. I just can't pick up the 80kg (in lots of 20kg) to load the machine

I have to ask for help

[kariann330]

When i was on hrt after about a month and a half, maybe 2 months, just going up the 2 flights of stairs and lifting about 10 flattened boxes became  really sore adventure lol.

[misschievous]

Sounds to me before I start HRT I would want to either get transferred to a position less demanding or find new job all together.

[Alainaluvsu]

Sounds to me before I start HRT I would want to either get transferred to a position less demanding or find new job all together.

Oh yeah, to say the least... lol!

[misschievous]

Luckily I have a while for that though. I don't get insurance until June/ July and I have found a therapist that is covered under the Insurance policy. I am waiting until then to start any of it. I can't afford to have couple hundred dollars a month in therapy costs. around here they run $50- $150 a session and weekly sessions that is anywhere from $200- $600 a month.

[Kristen Wave]

Well I've also been running long distance since middle school so I'm used to it. Also most long distance running comes down to mental endurance anyway.

[Joanna Dark]

[quote ] <hidden member>
Well I've also been running long distance since middle school so I'm used to it. Also most long distance running comes down to mental endurance anyway.
[/quote]

So you don't get tired at all? That's good to hear. I do a lot of walking and I don't get tired. But I had to run for the train the other day and I get so winded. But that could just be I'm not used to sprinting. I really don't want to be all tired all the time if I have to do something which requires endurance.

[Keaira]

I am physically unable to run. So I can only cycle. But I don't want my already bulky legs to become more defined. And Cycling doesnt work the abdominal to well either. my problem is I am pudgy in the belly area. God I hope that sit-ups wont give me mantastic abs -_-



my arms are getting smaller so I'm happy there. Especially since I don't have to carry a huge impact gun around.

[Sadie]

With that low of T, it's hard to do cardio since fatigue sets in VERY quickly. I'm consistently testing <10 and I need constant naps and I get muscle fatigue with the quickness....

I have the same problem, cardio tires me out very fast.

[<hidden member>]

you'd be surprised what long distance can do for bulky muscles. I used to run with an avid swimmer and he was super bulky but he stopped swimming and started running and after 3 years he was like a stick lol. All exercise requires you to stick with it and over time it will be as easy as walking and then you can relax and enjoy the scenery around you. That's the best part of running, going out on a trail run and looking at all the greenery and listening to the sounds.

[Jennygirl]

I do a lot of cycling and try not to lift anything over 5 lbs it's pretty much impossible though.

So far it's been working. I am down almost a whole inch on each arm when not flexing (9.5") and about .5" while flexing (11"). But I still get self conscious about my arms. This thread gives me hope that time on HRT will continue to work its magic in coming months!

[<hidden member>]

chica your arms are sexaaay. Seriously your body shape is awesome based on what I can see in your profile. Also that dress is really flattering on you. It's shows of your shoulders which, I might add, are very feminine

[Eva Marie]

I've been on a low dose of HRT for about two years now. Looking at recent pictures of me I still seem to still have the upper body bulk that i had pre-hrt but i've discovered that jars are now hard to open, and doing mechanical work using hand tools is a lot harder than i remember (tighten a bolt to 160 ft lbs? Can't do that any more). I frequently hike and i seem to be extremely winded each time about 40 yards up the first hill so i'm not building up any endurance.

[Jennygirl]

<hidden member>
chica your arms are sexaaay. Seriously your body shape is awesome based on what I can see in your profile. Also that dress is really flattering on you. It's shows of your shoulders which, I might add, are very feminine

Thanks <hidden member>!! I have been working loads on my posture and I feel like I'm finally starting to get somewhere with automatic positioning. It definitely makes the hugest difference across the board for my overall confidence. I used to have such gawd awful posture... Lol. I know that HRT has shrunk my neck & shoulders most of all, though.

Anyway thank you again

[Jamiep]

@Alainaluvsu

With that low of T, it's hard to do cardio since fatigue sets in VERY quickly. I'm consistently testing <10 and I need constant naps and I get muscle fatigue with the quickness...

You at slightly less than half the age of Shan & I, it is good to hear young people feel this too. Shan & I have pm shared about this, I was surprised that this happened  so quickly after having been on Spiro for 3 weeks I had to nap several times a day after lifting heavy items or chores around the house. Shan shared that she has to nap occasionally too. I am adjusting and getting slightly more energized. I am probably going on Estrogen after my next appointment with my Dr. on May 30.

@ misschievous & Jennygirl 

I have been skinny all my life too. I have always had skinny arms that I feel embarrassed about, I hope mine don't diminish or they will look like a toothpick. Yikes. Jenny, my upper arms look similar to yours.