Muscle Building and T ???

[Grunt]

I haven't started T yet, but everywhere I look it sounds like you HAVE to work out when you start T. While I would LOVE to work out and diet, I have a lot of health issues preventing me from doing a whole lot. I'm mainly wondering if there's a way to help my body build muscle, without killing myself.

Troublemakers:
Fibromyalgia, ligamentous laxity, severely injured right shoulder, POTS, vasovagal syncope, diabetes, previously broken tailbone, as well as allergies to wheat, gluten, and lactose.

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[justine77]

Hi,  I'd recommend swimming.  When I got injured skiing (both ankles, left knee, both shoulders and lower back) I couldn't do anything in the gym.  Start slowly and gradually build up.  Justine x

[Grunt]

I love swimming, I forgot it was a valid option. Thank you.

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[Deborah]

When your T is at male levels you will, over time, develop more musculature by doing nothing at all.  It's only a little bit more though as you can see by looking at the majority of CIS men who don't work out.

However, if you do work out then the T will assist in increasing muscle mass.  You still have to do the work though.

You don't need any T at all to get strong though.


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[Grunt]

When your T is at male levels you will, over time, develop more musculature by doing nothing at all.  It's only a little bit more though as you can see by looking at the majority of CIS men who don't work out.

However, if you do work out then the T will assist in increasing muscle mass.  You still have to do the work though.

You don't need any T at all to get strong though.


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I'm not going on T in order to bulk up, if that's the impression that I gave. I am transitioning to male. I have been looking at videos about FTM transitioning, though, and almost all of the ones I have found tell you to work out. Saying it will help how you feel while transitioning.

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[blackcat]

I joined a gym last week because of my personal transition goals. I don't know if you have surgery in mind or not, but I read that for both top surgery and a hysto, stronger muscles equal faster recovery time. Exercise is also great for feeling good in general.

There are lower impact options for fitness out there (discuss with your doctor, etc.). I have spinal issues from a car accident and occupational stress, so my personal approach to fitness has been at my own (slower) pace with a lot of patience.

Yoga is awesome for the body, and there are so many different paces and styles of classes to choose from. Yin yoga isn't as vigorous as power yoga, but can still help with flexibility, building strength, releasing tension in joints, there are all the mental benefits, etc. Swimming is another awesome suggestion. There are elliptical machines. I also made a ton of progress in healing from my injuries when I was doing semi-private Pilates reformer classes. My instructor was gold, and if there was something my back wasn't having that day, she would prop me up or modify the exercises as necessary.

[Grunt]

I joined a gym last week because of my personal transition goals. I don't know if you have surgery in mind or not, but I read that for both top surgery and a hysto, stronger muscles equal faster recovery time. Exercise is also great for feeling good in general.

There are lower impact options for fitness out there (discuss with your doctor, etc.). I have spinal issues from a car accident and occupational stress, so my personal approach to fitness has been at my own (slower) pace with a lot of patience.

Yoga is awesome for the body, and there are so many different paces and styles of classes to choose from. Yin yoga isn't as vigorous as power yoga, but can still help with flexibility, building strength, releasing tension in joints, there are all the mental benefits, etc. Swimming is another awesome suggestion. There are elliptical machines. I also made a ton of progress in healing from my injuries when I was doing semi-private Pilates reformer classes. My instructor was gold, and if there was something my back wasn't having that day, she would prop me up or modify the exercises as necessary.

Reproductive surgery has been in the works since before transitioning came in to focus. I'm mainly after things that are safe to do by myself, because I can't afford a gym or classes. I am definitely going to start swimming again, because it's low impact. I know yoga can be done at home, but in the past meditation, focus breathing, and deep breathing make me pass out, due to my heart issues, so I wonder if I can find some online that will be safer for me.

Can it be a PCP, whom has nothing to do with my transitioning, that I ask? I wouldn't trust asking the nurse at Planned Parenthood.

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[FreyjaValkyrie]

Swimming is probably the best choice for simplicity and all your injuries.  Very low impact.  However, I would also highly recommend developing a regular yoga and/or taichi practice.  Both are excellent for rehabbing physical maladies and when done correctly will develop a good foundation of strength and mobility.  If you are inclined to do any weight training at all, I would advise the deadlift.  You don't need to break records, or yourself, but it is the best compound exercise for developing a strong core and stable chassis.  It also works more muscle groups than any other single exercise, and so it's a good way to put all that fresh new test to use quickly.  Just stay in a confortable weight/rep range that leaves you sore in the good way and not in the bad way.  I'm sure you've had your afflictions long enough to know what the bad way feels like.  No matter what exercise you choose, the most important thing is to learn to listen to your body and b not your ego.  Test makes us competitive.  The only person you have to impress is you.

Freyja

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[Grunt]

Swimming is probably the best choice for simplicity and all your injuries.  Very low impact.  However, I would also highly recommend developing a regular yoga and/or taichi practice.  Both are excellent for rehabbing physical maladies and when done correctly will develop a good foundation of strength and mobility.  If you are inclined to do any weight training at all, I would advise the deadlift.  You don't need to break records, or yourself, but it is the best compound exercise for developing a strong core and stable chassis.  It also works more muscle groups than any other single exercise, and so it's a good way to put all that fresh new test to use quickly.  Just stay in a confortable weight/rep range that leaves you sore in the good way and not in the bad way.  I'm sure you've had your afflictions long enough to know what the bad way feels like.  No matter what exercise you choose, the most important thing is to learn to listen to your body and b not your ego.  Test makes us competitive.  The only person you have to impress is you.

Freyja

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Thank you, for the suggestions and advice. I really appreciate it.


I appreciate everyone's advice, so thank you all [emoji173]️

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[Kylo]

I've done mainly swimming since T and not a lot of workouts and the muscles in my shoulders, arms and legs are rock hard from it. You can get decent results and fitness just from low paced endurance swimming. Granted I do mine for 2-3 hours at a time but I purposefully pace myself not to get exhausted doing it.

When I had back issues I would stick to isometric exercises, stretches, martial arts exercises/moves and yoga stuff without weights.

[Tamz]

Hi, it sounds like you might have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome with the loose ligaments + POTS + fibro, etc. I do & I've been on a low dose of T for 4 months and I'm having A LOT less joint pain than before I started the T.

I had to stop doing yoga because I was too likely to hurt my joints, so I do Qigong (which is like T'ai Chi) and gentle weight lifting with freeweights, using joint braces if I have any pain (or just not doing anything that causes pain). Don't think you have to do the crazy gym workouts with 8 super heavy reps, you can do 15-20 reps with light weights and that can help your muscles grow in a way that protects your ligaments/joints. Also you can workout with tension bands. (And swimming is great!)

There are some good videos about how to workout with EDS without hurting your ligaments/joints. I'm also finding that it's better for me to workout for shorter periods and then check in with my body to make sure I'm not hurting before I do more. Plus putting more gentle movement throughout my day is helping. Oh and with POTS, make sure you're drinking some electrolytes, not just plain water, because hydration is your friend!

Enjoy the T! You might be delighted by the difference it makes in your overall health.

[Grunt]

Hi, it sounds like you might have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome with the loose ligaments + POTS + fibro, etc. I do & I've been on a low dose of T for 4 months and I'm having A LOT less joint pain than before I started the T.

I had to stop doing yoga because I was too likely to hurt my joints, so I do Qigong (which is like T'ai Chi) and gentle weight lifting with freeweights, using joint braces if I have any pain (or just not doing anything that causes pain). Don't think you have to do the crazy gym workouts with 8 super heavy reps, you can do 15-20 reps with light weights and that can help your muscles grow in a way that protects your ligaments/joints. Also you can workout with tension bands. (And swimming is great!)

There are some good videos about how to workout with EDS without hurting your ligaments/joints. I'm also finding that it's better for me to workout for shorter periods and then check in with my body to make sure I'm not hurting before I do more. Plus putting more gentle movement throughout my day is helping. Oh and with POTS, make sure you're drinking some electrolytes, not just plain water, because hydration is your friend!

Enjoy the T! You might be delighted by the difference it makes in your overall health.

I wish we could favourite posts, I this this one may help me the most. I just got my shoulder scanned with an MRArthrogram, and I will know more on Tuesday about where to go from here to help it function better. I also juat bought a five-pound shake weight because it's low impact and something that I can help strengthen my arms with.

I'm on a new antidepressant, and it's summer now, so I'm currently just on an increased walking regime with my two year old.

I really appreciate everyone's posts, and I am looking forward to trying some of these things out. A little anxious about it, because it's just me, at home, without training or knowing what to do, but I'll figure something out.

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