Pre-T Fitness Suggestions?

[Running Renegade]

First post, so it's going to have a bit of background information in it as well. Just as a forewarning, heh.

I'm a fifteen year old and pre-T. I was thinking about starting within the next year or so, after I turn sixteen and find a job to help pay for it; would -really- like that to happen, heh. My psychologist was hinting at it being very possible, which makes me... extremely pleased. I already look very much like a bio-guy, to the point of I've had people go weeks before finding out that I'm still physically female. And I've been thrown out of/yelled at in public restrooms enough pre-T, so I'm interested in seeing the results post-T, heh.

Now this is where the irritating, self-conscious, low self-esteem, teenage mentality pops up. My only real concern with taking T (other than the hereditary hair loss. Bald by aged twenty; yay for Rogaine!) is the fat redistribution to my stomach. I'm about 5'8-5'9 and 135lbs; of which I'm aware is a very healthy weight. However, I have a gut that is going to be a lot more pronounced when I start up T. Genetics has something to do with it, as my mother had it as well. And... I want to slim it down before I even start T so I don't get a complete beer-gut. Mind you, regardless of whether or not I do get it slimmed down, its not something that's going to hinder me in regards to how soon I do begin T injections.

I'd also just generally like to get into shape. I haven't played sports in a few years (once puberty hit and my body because increasingly feminine, I got to the joyful point of where I was embarrassed to participate.) I was thinking about joining a dojo and get into some martial arts, or rec soccer if the sign ups aren't over with.

But yeah. I was mostly just wondering if any guys pre/post T had any suggestions and for what worked for them as far as getting into shape goes. And losing the damn gut. 

[Emrys1]

i found that a lot of ab work... crunches, lifts, bends... and yoga(!!) did a lot to support a loss of impending "beer gut" pre op.  All of that helped me become more slim in the hips as well, which concerned me, having a mother who was veeerrrry wide in that region, and in the buttocks.  Martial arts is excellent for the slimming and refining and is un-paralleled for the body mind spirit connection, which gets downplayed in the trans world, unfortunately.
Let me know of your progress and best of everything... good for you for making the big leap with such confidence!
E

[Dennis]

Building up muscle is good, but if you need to get rid of body fat, cardio is best. There's no such thing as spot reducing, so you've got to reduce the overall body fat to get rid of an area.

At your weight, though, your body fat isn't that high and a good muscle building routine would be a good start. If you have the time and the inclination, a weekly program alternating a cardio day with a weights day for six days is good. For the weight program, concentrate on a different area each weights day, but you can do abs every weights day. Other muscles need a longer rest.

Also, watch food. Eat healthy meals with a decent amount of protein and stay away from refined carbs.

Good luck with it.

Dennis (who doesn't quite practice all that he preaches)

[Jay]

Welcome Running Renegade. I actually have recently done any excerise, I am one of those people who are like yeah I will do it tomorrow.....

[Running Renegade]

Heh, yeah. I'm trying. My mother suggested that I start taking protein shakes and such. If I could find someone willing to go, I'd go to a gym at least once a week.

As far as martial arts go, has anyone had any success with it, particularly while on T? Did it help make things more manageable and such?

[Dennis]

Kickboxing is good cardio. Nothing beats weights, heavy weights low reps, for building muscle though. If you want to start working on a good base for starting T, work on shoulders, arms and chest. You won't get the results pre-T, but it does give you a good routine, good habits, and a good base to build on when you do start. Plus if you have gut problems, your upper body will overshadow it if you build it up.

Dennis

[greg-unknown]

Heh, yeah. I'm trying. My mother suggested that I start taking protein shakes and such. If I could find someone willing to go, I'd go to a gym at least once a week.

As far as martial arts go, has anyone had any success with it, particularly while on T? Did it help make things more manageable and such?

i used to do Judo and i must say that it kept me in the best shape of my life. the training we did was so intense. im thinking about going back again soon. But yeah, Judo is definatly good.

[Mychil_shane]

I'm 16 and I am now on t for 4months i think its been and Ill say this work out but also watch what you eat...Im from the south so I never really noticed how much I eat. Now I eat even more and my abs are gone so its back to deit and ab work-outs.

[Running Renegade]

Yeah, I've already started to get into the habit of eating healthier and such. Now I just have to get back into the "yay exercise!" mindframe... Haven't really done anything for a few weeks now, so I really need to get back into it.

I live in the south as well. I plan on moving somewhere that snows one of these days...
 

[greg-unknown]

snow is over rated