Kokoro's Chronologue!

[Kokoro]

Hi everyone!

Today I finally started HRT! I cannot believe the day has finally arrived and my journey has truly begun. Weeks and months back and forth with Dr's felt like I would never get to transition along with my own personal doubts.

But now I've started, and I've finally realised it is real. It is happening! A lot more awaits down the road and I can't wait to get there!

It's a very welcome early birthday present!


Like several people on here, I decided to make a dedicated thread for my updates and general ramblings as I go through transition to try and keep things nice and concise.  A part of what I'm going to be doing is keeping updates of various measurements and observations about my body. Going into this, there was precious little to go on regarding the changes that happen during HRT, just general vagueness. "Increased fat around hips and breasts"  'How much?' "Well everyone is different and depends on X, Y and Z". Obviously this is true and may be considered dangerous for others, particularly health professionals, to say otherwise. But I've not come across a single 'case study' of someone who has gone through transition and kept details of he physical changes that happened to them.

So I'm going to start doing that. Other people will be able to see where I started, how fast I progressed and where I ended up. If this can help someone else worried about transition and how it may affect them, at least they have a good comparison to make against me of similar age and proportions to me.

So here we go:
31st May:

Height: 5' 6.5"
Weight: 150lbs
BMI: 23.9

Bust: 35.25in
Waist (M): 32.25in
Waist (F): 32.25in
Hips: 35.25in

Neck: 14.75in
Underbust: 35in
Biceps: 11.75in
Forearms: 10.75in
Thighs: 19.75in
Calfs: 15in
Shoe size (UK): 9

I aim to take these measurements every two weeks with the exception of height which I'll do every 3 months since changes will be minor and slow. I do hope to lose some weight as well. Ideally I'd like to get down to 142lb  which would give me a BMI smack bang in the middle of the ideal range. I know that weight can go haywire while on HRT so I'm not gonna hold myself to it, but so long as I don't weigh any more than I do now in 6 months time I'll be happy.

I'm also taking photos of my face, beard, shoulder (for body hair) and crown for before and after pictures. I'll post those further down the line when they become relevant.

I guess all that's left now is to get one of those fancy "X days since starting hormones" signatures!

[Allison S]

Congrats! I like the title seems very fitting lol good luck! I'm interested to see your results

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

[Megan.]

Good luck,  and enjoy! X

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

[Jessica]

Congratulations, get ready for new fun and adventures!

Hugs and smiles, Jessica

[pamelatransuk]

Congratulations Kokoro on starting HRT with I assume GenderGP. It is a wonderful feeling as you apply the first patch and swallow the first tablet, isn't it?

I wish you every happiness on your journey.

Hugs

Pamela

[Eryn T]

Congratulations and also THANK YOU Kokoro!

Bookmarked~ <3

[Charlotte F]

Congratulations Kokoro - that's brilliant news!

I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on.  I wish I'd taken more measurements and pictures when I started as it's so difficult to see all the changes when you constantly study yourself whenever you're in front of a mirror!

Charlotte x

[davina61]

Now the fun starts, buckle up and hold on. Enjoy

[Sonja]

Hi Kokoro!

Congratulations!! Absolutely fantastic news, I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing about the changes as you progress!
I see there is a meetup planned in Birmingham for Susan's Pl. peeps - are you going to go along?

Wishing you all the best,

Sonja x.

[Kokoro]

Update time!

Here's the measurements for this week (week 2):

14th June:

Height: 5' 6.5"
Weight: 152.5lbs (+2.5lb)
BMI: 24.3 (+0.3)

Bust: 36in (+0.75in)
Waist (M): 33in (+0.75in)
Waist (F): 32.75in (+0.5in)
Hips: 35.75in (+0.5in)

Neck: 15in (+0.25in)
Underbust: 35.5in (+0.5in)
Biceps: 11.75in (no change)
Forearms: 10.75in (no change)
Thighs: 20.5in (+0.75in)
Calfs: 15in (no change)
Shoe size (UK): 9

So basically, I put on some weight and it mostly went to my belly along with a little on other areas. So my body is mainly still sending fat to the masculine areas. No muscle mass increase or decrease. However, one notable measurement was the increase on my thighs. It matched the entirety of my hips and stomach on just one leg. I've not been out doing any jogging or long walking so I'm pretty sure it isn't muscle. So perhaps the first sign of fat redistribution?

The only other change I've noticed has been to my nipples. I can't be 100% sure but they seem a little bigger and protrude somewhat now. I'll know for certain in another couple of weeks. Other than that, no noticeable changes. I've not really noticed any softer skin that some report after only a couple of weeks. We'll see at the next update. In myself I've felt more or less the same. I can't sense any hormone shifts at all.

It's only been 2 weeks and I wasn't really expecting anything to go in any specific direction but the initial signs seem encouraging.

As far as what's been going on in my life, I've been busy getting re-certified as a trucker (you need periodic training every 5 years to retain your licence in the UK) as well as upgrading my class of licence to be able to pull semi-trailers. Not the most feminine of jobs but it pays decent money which in the short-term is what I need.

Kokes over and out!

[Laurie]

Hi Kokes,

  Congrats on starting HRT belatedly. You have good measurements to start with and it should only get better as you continue your journey. @ weeks is pretty short time for you to actually see changes but girl they be acoming. hope to see more from you as time goes on.

Hugs,
  Laurie

[Sonja]

Hi Kokoro,

Excellent progress! thanks for the update.

Take care,

Sonja

[Kokoro]

I'm a little late posting this one but here it is:

28th June:

Height: 5' 6.5"
Weight: 154.5lbs (+2lb)
BMI: 24.6 (+0.3)

Bust: 36in (No change)
Waist (M): 33.5in (+0.5in)
Waist (F): 33in (+0.25in)
Hips: 35.75in (no change)

Neck: 15in (no change)
Underbust: 35.5in (no change)
Biceps: 11.75in (no change)
Forearms: 10.75in (no change)
Thighs: 20.5in (+0.25in)
Calfs: 14.75in (-0.25in)
Shoe size (UK): 9

Again, like last time I've put on weight and there's been no change in female measurements I want, but still changes in the male measurements I don't want. I don't think it is the hormones that I making me put on weight, but more likely to a change in the diet and exercise. About a month before I started I was cycling to and from work everyday (as well as to the shops!) and my calorie intake was sensible and the foods themselves rather nutritious.

Now I'm driving everywhere, do not have a job (as yet, that may change today) and I think I must have nearly doubled my calories and I'm eating all the wrong foods - Lots of fast food, little to no fruit and veg etc.

So I'm going to put myself on a diet. My metabolism has changed in the past couple of months and I now find I'm hungry a lot (i.e. outside of normal meal times) and from what I've read that means my body is in fat storage mode as opposed to using fat for energy which is what I was in before.

Now that I've put some weight on, I'm curious to see where it will come off. It's probably too soon to see if it will stay on my thighs, hips and bust but that's the point of all this - to see what works and what doesn't so others might benefit from it.

Kokes x

[pamelatransuk]

I wish you Good Luck Kokes on the job front and also success on the HRT and the weight loss.

Hugs

Pamela

[Sonja]

Hi Kokes,

Great to hear from you! Have you noticed any changes in skin softness or sensitivity?  Are your nipples still poking out a bit?  sensitive much?  ( Feel like I'm ready to go the hrt route myself soon  -so I'm wondering what I'll be dealing with)

I lost 12kg in weight by doing optifast shakes - Nestle product that I buy at pharmacy. lost about 1kg per week,  Just maintaining now.

Have you made any trans friends back in the UK?

Take care,

Sonja.

[Kokoro]

Thanks Pam & Sonja,

I think there has been some softening of the skin, especially on my face. It's not a massive difference though that I can easily notice without lots of prodding. No change in sensitivity, though I've always had sensitive skin.

There's no change in nipple size or sensitivity from the last update - and yes, they are poking out a little and are noticeable when wearing a tight-fitting T-shirt, though I've seen plenty of guys sporting this 'look'.

Oh, and one other thing I forgot to mention in my last update - the acne on my back has improved a lot. Not gone completely, but it's a whole lot better than it was. As for my face acne there's been little change but It's never been that bad, I only get it from my nose down to my chin and nothing on my forehead, cheeks or neck.