Is it best to lose weight before or after starting HRT?

[caitlin_adams]

I'm 26 and am planning to start HRT in the not to distant future. I'm 183cm (6ft) and 96kg (around 210lb) and am looking to lose around 20kg (45lb).

Most of us suffer from typical male pattern fat distribution before HRT. Given that one of the aims of HRT for MTFs is to obtain a body shape with a fat distribution more typical of females I was wondering whether it is more effective to lose our 'male distributed fat' pre hrt or, with the assistance of hormones, lose it post the start of HRT.

On one hand it seems to me that given the loss of muscle mass when one starts on anti-androgens it would be harder to lose weight after starting HRT.

On the other hand, I thought I read that once one starts taking estrogen and an anti-androgen the fat in the typically male areas is 'redistributed' towards the more female typical areas (such as the hips).

Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

[Cindy]

In my opinion losing fat at any time is important. When you go on HRT your current fat will not translocate to the 'female' areas. You will just get more fat

If men really want to make themselves look like idiots they can say to their girl, when she is talking about dieting, " yes but girls have an extra layer of fat due to estrogen" Goes down like ' you are only angry with me because you are having your period.' Both really good reasons for enforced male sexual abstinence until a lot of groveling has occurred. 

Just my suggestion, try aerobic exercises, if you are presenting go to a gym and do some classes, great way to meet people. And you have to start somewhere! You don't want to build muscle tone at the moment, but you want a nice body so when you get 'distribution' to the boobs and hips it looks nice.


Good luck doll

Cindy

[caitlin_adams]

Thanks!

[lilacwoman]

I went to a gender awareness day for my company run by a 'person' with a female name but he was a big guy with the typical bulky body whose only concession femalenss was to daub some rouge on his cheeks.  he would have been about 6ft and probably measured 42-44-42.
So do you want to look like that or do you want to shape up and get a nice female life?
Shape up as much as possible before you transition.

But why can't you start hormones and transition now? 
Has a shrink agreed you seem MtF?

[caitlin_adams]

My psychiatrist would approve HRT if I asked him to. We've agreed that I'm 'gender dysphoric' we're simply working through how to move forward.

I have a partner of six years whom I live with. I'm trying to work out whether we can stay together and whether some sort of compromise can be reached regarding transition.

[Vanessa_yhvh]

My experience is anecdotal, but appears consistent with established facts.

Since I started on HRT, it has become remarkably more challenging to manage my body fat.

Start losing body fat now, and be prepared to work much harder than you likely realize to manage it after you start the process.

[Alainaluvsu]

I would have to think think about it like this: What you would rather have? Fat hips / butt, or toned hips / butt?

[Stephanie]

I gained a shocking amount of weight.  I developed a huge stomach and the beginnings of a double chin.   The only good thing about the massive weight gain* was some of it when to my chest area.  I would definitely recommend losing any extra weight before starting HRT.


https://www.susans.org/forums/Smileys/susans/embarrassed.gif
* I gained just under 30lbs in around 31 days.  I knew it was the oestrogen that caused this weight gain as I came of O and less than two weeks later I was back to my normal weight.    I have a dilemma go on O again and balloon up, or stay of HRT! 

[Steph]

Personally I believe that when it comes down to the medical issues we face, and the treatment we receive, it's alway best to start and maintain a healthy body, or as healthy a body as we can.  If that means loosing weight, changing ones diet, so that we fall within a healthy weight range then that should be what you need to do.

Steph