Reducing male chest size...

[supersilk98]

I know this is a taboo subject but I would like to know of what options there are available to bring out one's hips to make them more apparent.  For myself, my left hip is almost an inch more narrow than my right, my right shoulder about an inch wider than my left, and my left rib can is just under an inch wider than my right (I think).  My body feels quite asymmetrical and I'm completely unsure of what to do.  I have heard of corset binding and having to do that every day and that is something I would commit to. 

Image: [nsfw] http://i.imgur.com/GNeMaRJh.png, http://i.imgur.com/krQL5zD.jpg, http://i.imgur.com/BJ3jIkh.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/Z5d4ZkS.jpg

Someone has suggeste that losing my "love handles" will improve my figure, but I'm quite scared to.  I really don't know what to do.

[HelloKitty]

I wish I had input that would help, but am in the same boat as you.
Hopefully someone can shed some light on this.

[Miyuki]

Me too. My shoulder width is 18.5", while my hip width is only 15.5". My ribcage is a little on the big side too (36" circumferance under bust). Having a convincingly female looking body from the neck down would make me feel so much better about myself, but I'm not really sure what I can do to get it. I know corset training is an option, and having the fat redistribute from my stomach to my hips would also help. Having a larger cup size wouldn't hurt either, but it's looking like I would need at least a C cup to overcome the size of my ribcage. Even with the best possible results from fat redistribution, an ample chest size, and corset training, I still can't picture in my mind if that would overcome the broad shoulder/narrow hip/large rib cage problem. Does anyone have some advice?

[Nicolette]

I recommend starting out with daily exercise, if you're not already. Cardio and lower body resistance training will help shift and redistribute fat and create muscle in target areas to give a more feminine shape. Corsetry can be done, even liposculpture, but I recommend getting your physique into the best shape possible before these are even considered.

[Miyuki]

I really do need to start exercising... I'm not overweight anymore, but I'm still very out of shape. Do you think a solid regimen of cardio and resistance training, along with fat redistribution, could add a couple of inches to my hip width? I think along with corset training, a couple of extra inches could be enough to get my body shape where I'd like it to be. Or at least to the point where I wouldn't be scared to look in a mirror without clothes on anymore.

[ThatTallGirl]

If you feel your body is that uneven, I would suggest maybe going to a professional podiatrist. I not exactly why, but I have heard that a lot of the body can be corrected just from having stable feet... or something like that. Sorry I cant be of more help.

[Nicolette]

I see so much raw untapped potential in the first poster's photos. A solid six months of good diet and lower-body exercise program will transform the overall shape. Let's be realistic, it's not going to add a couple of inches to any hip width (circumference perhaps), but it will add some greatly needed muscle definition, subtlety increasing the size of gluteal, abductor and thigh muscles. Cardio will decrease the fat percentage in the body, giving a more defined waist, and less fat on arms and back. Overall, the impression gained is an increased size in the lower body: an illusion of bigger hips, if not actual. I wouldn't worry about gaining bulky masculine muscles. This is extremely difficult under HRT and low T. Not only will this make you look more fantastic, you will feel fantastic too.

[Mindy More]

If you wear a corset to reduce the circumference of your rib cage, it will only reduce your lower rib cage, possibly making your upper rib cage appear even bigger.  Not to say that it's a no-go, but I think HRT+exercise will naturally reduce upper rib cage circumference via the reduction of muscle.  I was at about 42" in circumference @ 6' tall, then I started dieting, and came down to 37".  Now I continue to diet, and I'm 8 months into HRT, and my band size is 38", underbust 35" (down from 37).  I still have some muscle to go, but it's all diet/HRT for me, no exercise.  I can feel the scapula and ribs when rubbing my upper back, and that wasn't the case before, and the same is true for my upper chest.  It doesn't look bad either, and you'll definitely get there too, maybe more so.  I lifted weights in my teens which gave me some quick musculature that now is slowing going away, finally. 
If you really are interested in pursuing tight-lacing/corset training, I suggest buying and wearing a waist cincher/girdle type first.  They cost under $100, and will get you well-versed with what it feels like.  It will also make the idea of eating a bunch of food, less appetizing when wearing one.  When I did all my weight loss, pre-HRT, I wore one pretty much daily and now I have more of an hour glass shape than I think I would of without that shaping in place. Good luck.

I know this is a taboo subject but I would like to know of what options there are available to bring out one's hips to make them more apparent.  For myself, my left hip is almost an inch more narrow than my right, my right shoulder about an inch wider than my left, and my left rib can is just under an inch wider than my right (I think).  My body feels quite asymmetrical and I'm completely unsure of what to do.  I have heard of corset binding and having to do that every day and that is something I would commit to. 

Image: [nsfw] http://i.imgur.com/GNeMaRJh.png, http://i.imgur.com/krQL5zD.jpg, http://i.imgur.com/BJ3jIkh.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/Z5d4ZkS.jpg

Someone has suggeste that losing my "love handles" will improve my figure, but I'm quite scared to.  I really don't know what to do.

[LizMarie]

I'm going to agree with others here. I really wouldn't fret about those mismatches. Lots of people have them. Losing the excess weight will bring out your body shape more. Cardio will develop key muscle groups enhancing shape. I'd give it a shot via the diet/exercise route. Just avoid heavy weight training to avoid triggering testosterone reactions unless/until your T-makers are removed.

[ThatTallGirl]

It was bugging me that I could not be of more help, so I found a nice little pdf that shows you the importance of proper foot alignment, and what it can do for your body. This pdf is safe of viruses.

http://www.slideshare.net/megdpm/foot-alignment

[Marissa]

A lot can be done by changing the way you walk / sit / stand.  A quick search turned up this link on How Get A More Feminine Gait.  Just keep in mind that so much of it is mental attitude.  Don't worry about your body too much.  No woman has a perfect body.  Observe women and men and how they move wherever you go and remind yourself to feel like a woman when you walk and that will go a long way.   

~ Mara ~

P.S. Here is a link to a helpful demo: http://www.biomotionlab.ca/Demos/BMLwalker.html

[Mindy More]

Mara, this is an amazing contribution, in my opinion.  It's helpful and the demo is fascinating.  You rule.

A lot can be done by changing the way you walk / sit / stand.  A quick search turned up this link on How Get A More Feminine Gait.  Just keep in mind that so much of it is mental attitude.  Don't worry about your body too much.  No woman has a perfect body.  Observe women and men and how they move wherever you go and remind yourself to feel like a woman when you walk and that will go a long way.   

~ Mara ~

P.S. Here is a link to a helpful demo: http://www.biomotionlab.ca/Demos/BMLwalker.html

[supersilk98]

Does anyone know anything about Relaxin and how it may help improve the position of hips?

[Nicolette]

Does anyone know anything about Relaxin and how it may help improve the position of hips?

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,153347.msg1275723.html#msg1275723

[Sabrina]

The only thing that would reduce my chest size would be cracking the sternum / ribs and repositioning them through unpleasant surgery. My sternum sticks out about .5 to 1 in farther than it should. Plus the left side of ribcage is slightly indented. I'm not sure there is much that can be done without surgery.

[supersilk98]

The only thing that would reduce my chest size would be cracking the sternum / ribs and repositioning them through unpleasant surgery. My sternum sticks out about .5 to 1 in farther than it should. Plus the left side of ribcage is slightly indented. I'm not sure there is much that can be done without surgery.

Wait, that surgery is actually a possibility?

[supersilk98]

Can anyone suggest any exercises/diets that would help improve my figure?

[vlmitchell]

Ooookay! So, auntie Tori's helpful tips for trans girls and figures!

• SQUAT - Squat like there's no tomorrow and increase your reps daily. Do it. Your butt will thank you.
• Crunch - Specifically bicycle crunches to get that waist in line. Do it. Your posture, waist, and tummy will thank you.
• Watch what you eat - Calories are your enemy when trying to get things under control. Exercise regularly and try to keep your daily intake under 1500 kcal for weight loss and then at around 1800-2100 for maintenance. Veggies and raw stuff is better than processed crap.
• Run/Swim - You'll want to do a muscle lengthening exercise daily so that your muscles firm up your physique and stay long and lean as opposed to the bulk muscle you build during strength training.
• WATER!!! - Water intake is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Drink 16oz when you wake up before breakfast (seriously, eat breakfast). Drink 16oz before eating ANYTHING! Drink 128fl/oz daily when on Spiro. Without water, you might as well be doing nothing.

I found that finding something I *LIKED* to do as far as physical activity goes made a world of difference. My partner loves the gym, I love roller derby, but whatever you do, make sure that you don't hate it (except running, crunches, and squats... no one likes to do those but no one wants to hear anyone whining about having a crappy body when they don't do 'em so SHHHHHH!) and that you can do it because you enjoy it.

For the food, the more you work the more you can eat but if you wanna lose the flabby bits and get your figure under control, make the effort to THINK about what you're eating. Calorie counting is really easy after a month or so and eating things that are good for you in small portions frequently will go a lot better than middle or large sized portions 2-3 times a day.

TORI ADVICE OVER!!!