Physical work place transition

[Jessica Jaclyn Reimer]

Hi everyone,

I'm basically full time right now except at work. I work for a small landscape company, and I've already told them I'll be transitioning, and everyone's response has been great. So, it's basically me, that is holding me back from doing it. The reason for that is that I really don't want to wear fake breasts in a hot, sweaty, dirty environment. So, I'm going to wait until I have my own.

All that being said, I was wondering if anyone has any experience transitioning in a very physical work environment. I've heard from one electrician who has done it, but was hoping for more personal stories than just the one. How much did hormones impact your upper strength? Did you do any extra exercises/workouts to counteract that? etc...

I don't have a ton of upper body strength as it is, most of my lifting capacity comes from leverage - I have long arms being as I'm 6'5". Has anyone noticed a loss of muscle mass in the legs? Everyone always says 'upper body' strength diminishes with hormones. Most of my musculature is in my legs.

I should be starting my HRT by the end of February - just need to get my assessment/official gender dysphoria diagnosis (first appt of 2 is this Wednesday).

- Jess

[ImagineKate]

I don't have a very physical work environment but I do lift some heavy things from time to time.

Yes, I did lose strength. I was quite shocked at how much. But I learned to do things smarter now and i solicit the help of some of my all too willing coworkers now (who know I am who I am). Legs, hard to say. It's slightly harder going up the stairs now. I attribute this to the drop in testosterone.

Not sure how it's going to work out for you as a landscaper though.

[Megumi]

Before I started HRT in Dec of 2013 I could pick up a 5 gallon jug of water in each hand from the ground bending over at the waist and lift them up to about chest height. I recently had to put a 5 gallon jug on our water cooler at work and I struggled lifting that dang jug up with both arms and bending at the knees. On my last blood work my Testosterone was at 14.4 ng/dl which was right on the bottom of the typical T range for women my age of 14-50 ng/dl. I don't go to the gym or lift heavy stuff anymore and it's almost scary sometimes when I realize how much strength that I've lost.