Low Energy

[Riley Skye]

So as you guys may or may not know I'm an avid triathlete, a race that consists of swimming biking and running. Despite this year being a real struggle to train due to me dealing with depression, though I have been somewhat consistent with my training. My problem is that I'm running out of energy in my workouts. It's frustrating especially since I'm physically feeling weaker than last year which I think is due to estrogen and a lack of testosterone. Do any of you girls have experience with working out through transition especially those who do endurance sports like me, BTW I plan on competing in the Ironman race again next year, 2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles biking and 26.2 miles running.

[Jamie D]

You are being unfair to yourself, trying to compare your previous efforts with your current situation.

You are losing male-ish muscle mass.

[Riley Skye]

Well that was expected that i'd be slower, the problem is I just don't have the energy to do what I did in the past.

[mrs izzy]

You have to remember you are female now.... And yes as the T gets less so does the energy level.

Try to train more as a female then.

Izzy

[Sammy]

I am loosing that ability to do "energy boosts" and I am loosing it fast. I used to train in a way when I mixed slower routines with a series of fast explosive movements (it was not related to endurance training but rather a mix between free-running and martial arts). So, shortly, I just cant do that anymore - its not like I dont have stamina or run out of breath, I just dont have energy to put into my movements. On the other hand, my endurance has sky-rocketed - I now complete my one hour running route without any stops, when previously in average I needed 2-3 stops. Though, I am definitely running slower.
I am curious to challenge one of my friends for a couple of arm-wrestling rounds - just to make sure. Something inside of me keeps telling that I am up for some "surprises" there too... And, btw, arm-wrestling requires a bit of that "boosting" and putting a lot of energy into short-timed efforts too.

[Just Shelly]

As long as you have been on hrt for at least a year the Olympics will allow you to compete as your new legal gender, the reason being...is that physically based on strength and endurance the body is that of a woman.....

Better get use to it!!

I don't like to think I have lost strength....but I know darn well I have....if need be I can still muster up the strength but my stamina is gone!

I thought to test this once at the gym....I figured I would be able to bench press close to 100# since the last time I did it was in High school...then I could bench my weight which was 135#....this time I could only do 70# without fear of hurting myself. A guy that was their helping me laughed when I wanted to start at 100# he said lets just with the bar which weighs about 50# we then added 2 10# weights and that was it.....I'm not the biggest girl at 128# but thought I could do at least 100#...I buy 50# bags of dog food and can get that in my trunk ok :/

On the flip side my golf game is great now that I get to go off the red tee's

[Riley Skye]

Well 'm going to be talking with my coach about this to and stick with him for the coming year of ironman training to see if we can get some of my kinks fixed up nice and good and Shelly I won't be able to compete as a female for awhile because of the IOC's policy, I got this email from WTC, world triathlon corporation.

Hi Eddie-

Thanks for reaching out regarding this. Your patience in my reply is greatly appreciated! IRONMAN will recognize the IOC's policy for transgendered athletes. Please see below:

In 2003 the Executive Committee of the IOC approved a set of criteria to determine the eligibility of transsexual/transitioned athletes recommended by the IOC Medical Commission. The IOC policy is as follows:

Sex reassignment before puberty: Individuals undergoing sex reassignment surgery of male to female before puberty should be regarded as girls and women (female). This also applies to individuals undergoing female to male reassignment, who should be regarded as boys and men (male).

Sex reassignment after puberty: Individuals undergoing sex reassignment from male to female after puberty (and vice versa) are eligible for participation in female or male competitions, respectively, under the following conditions:
• Surgical anatomical changes have been completed, including external genitalia changes and gonadectomy
• Legal recognition of their reassigned sex has been conferred by the appropriate official authorities
• Hormonal therapy appropriate for the assigned sex has been administered in a verifiable manner and for a sufficient length of time to minimize gender-related advantages in sports competition
• Eligibility should begin no sooner than two years after gonadectomy
• It is understood that a confidential case by case evaluation will occur. In the event that the gender of a competing athlete is questioned, the medical delegate (or equivalent) of the relevant sporting body shall have the authority to take all appropriate measures for the determination of the gender of the competitor.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions!

Thank you-

Kind of bummed to be honest that I have to get the surgery but luckily for me I will be getting SRS and it will work in my favor, hopefully by 2016 when I return back to competition after a 2015 surgery date.

[Oriah]

it could be adrenal fatigue....it's pretty common

[Rachel84]

I'm in no way an endurance athlete.  But I do exercise and had a pretty demanding schedule when I started HRT.  It took about six months for the fatigue to dissipate and not feel drained of energy all the time.  Especially first thing in the mornings.  Getting out of bed was difficult (and it wasn't the same feeling as being depressed and not wanting to get out of bed), it was the feeling of being exhausted and not wanting to get out of bed. 

Now that it's been a year and a half, I've leveled off and don't feel that constant fatigue anymore.  I'm definitely not as strong as I use to be, but my energy levels are back to where they were (if not higher than before).

[Khalysta]

I used to do a lot of bicycle racing but stopped this year for transitioning and working lots of hours hasnt helped.  I find I tend to be better endurance wise now.  I'm flying on the flats the same speeds as I used to go.   If it goes uphill though its a real struggle.  I've got real respect now for the girls that do my saturday morning ride.  I've been doing pretty good otherwise this year.  I'm a little tired at night sometimes but days are fine.  When I do the really hard bike rides with the racers I will sneak in a nap sometimes but I used to do that as a guy too. 

Anyways, I'm not necessarily tired but my recovery is slower.  I don't know what your regimen is but low energy can also be from overtraining.  When I was regular male and racing every weekend I would be pretty much dead in august from burn out, fatigue and overtraining.  A little rest once the season is over in early september and I was right back to normal.  I've been fighting depression too and that alone can make you more tired.  I would take some time and relax.  Get your depression under control and be happy about yourself first.  Also I would do some recovery workouts.  Go for a swim and keep it short and easy.  Go for a ride but go on a bike trail or something and take in the scenery.  You are keeping in shape still but the key is not to push it, but instead have fun.  I wouldn't blame the estrogen just yet though since low energy is a classic symptom of both depression and overtraining.

[Megan S]

I have found when I am really tired or fatigue easily it is often related to my diet, or poor eating habits. I do so much better when I eliminate refined sugars like candy and soda, but also when I avoid caffeine (which is hard). Being on hormones your nutritional requirements are vastly different than when your body was tuned into high levels of testosterone. You should be taking a woman's daily multivitamin that does not have iron in it. Supplementing further with 1000 to 2000 units of Vitamin D can increase energy levels. If your Vitamin D levels are too low you are more prone to depression, which decreases energy levels. Increasing your calcium intake through low fat and high protein dairy intake, which will also regulate your glucose levels better. Eating a diet higher in vegetables and limiting animal fats may help, with the exception of very lean meat. Lastly, a lot of studies have been showing how coconut oil is being used to increase energy. It can be added to smoothies or used in cooking. At this time the glycemic demands of your body are changing with the shift from a male (designed to maintain and produce muscle) to female (designed for more or less for childbearing). I agree some of this will improve as time passes and your body adjusts to its new needs.

[victoria n]

 hi would doing light weight training help ? just to keep toned not to build muscle. no need of a reply.

[Teela Renee]

I used to work out regularly. and over the last year, ive lost almost 2/3ths of my abilitiy to do all the athletic training I used to. The energy nor the muscle mass is there. Trust me, work with your body dont try to force yourself to keep what your old body could do, ive had to pay many trips to the ER because of my back and torn muscles over trying to do what I used to do.  Its hard, but your body is becoming female. I never was a nap taker, im only 26 and now I gotta take a nap for an hour or two a day and im not ashamed to admit it.  its just part of transitioning.

[Reagan]

I have noticed that I have lost a great deal of energy and stamina. I'm a runner and I have noticed a sharp drop off in speed and distance compared to what I used to do. I really see or feel a difference if I skip a couple of days between workouts.