HRT, weight and fat distribution

[Bird]

So I am looking forward to starting HRT soon. I been wondering the following about fat distribution:

Will the -current- fat I have be redistributed, or will the fat I get -afterwards- I start HRT be placed in proper places?

If its the second, I am considering losing a LOT of weight before I start, and then just gain it back.

[rejennyrated]

Well I'm not a doctor, nor do I have any evidence beyond my own experience, which may not be typical - but I instinctively went for the second approach.

I dieted and got myself pretty thing beforehand. Then I started to eat for England as the HRT kicked in.

These days, 30 years on, people who know my history tend to grumble about my proper female endomorphic fat distribution around the hips and bust, but like I say that may be for other reasons so don't just take my work for it.

I hope that helps anyway.

[Kaelleria]

Women have more of a fat to muscle ratio then men... So I'd say both.

[Colleen Ireland]

If its the second, I am considering losing a LOT of weight before I start, and then just gain it back.

Based on what I've heard and read, I would recommend this approach, and it's what I intend to do.  For one thing, when on HRT you will lose muscle mass, and muscle burns fat, so you will find it harder to lose weight once the HRT kicks in.  So that right there is an incentive to take it off first.  And I have definitely heard and read that it doesn't so much redistribute what's already there, but that anything you gain AFTER will go in the right places.  But you have to lose it first.  FWIW...

[Bird]

Yea..

It does sounds a good idea overall to lose a bunch of weight. I don't have much, my weight index is around 21. I hope to hit 67 kilograms as I start HRT, which would put me just a tad over 20 body index.

[Colleen Ireland]

Wow, I'm just hoping I'm able to get down to 77 kilograms... 

[Debra]

Yeah I've heard of girls dieting like crazy before HRT and then reaching for the donuts.

It kind of happened for me. I still eat healthy for the most part but I did lose around 60 lbs before HRT because I became gluten intolerant. I got down to 160lbs......then HRT jumped me up top 170lbs....not enough fat redist yet though

[Sadie]

That's my plan, lost 35 lbs so far in the last 4 months, hopefully can start hormones in January and hopefully by that time I will be about 140 lbs.  Then I can go a little crazy, lol. I should have timed this better and then I could have pigged out for the holidays! 

[Keroppi]

I'm already borderline underweight. If I lose any more, I'll be just skeleton! I just need to actually start eating.

[joann c]

Hi,
About a month and a half into HRT and already see fat redistribution to back side and hips (I think  ).
Definite breast development going on and that I like this very much, problem is big weight gain. 12 lbs in 6 weeks. I didn't diet before I started HRT, maybe I should have. Appetite is definitely up. Don't have the physical strength I once had and need to start to exercise differently. Aerobic will probably work best. I will keep you posted on what I find out.
Jo 
 

[Emmanuelle]

@Jo: that's the thing scaring me the most: the weight gain.

I lost 12kg (26lbs) over the last 3 months and should be able to shave off another 16kg (35lbs) before HRT (should actually be more, but I'm afraid that would be too much of a stretch)

Anyhow, good to know I'm doing "the right thing" (whatever that may be )

Emma

[Bird]

Whoa 12 lbs is quite a bit.

Is that weight gain off set later on by muscle loss?

[Aidan_]

I wouldn't go overboard with weight loss. However, if you're not exercising and being active NOW, then I seriously advise you start and keep up a routine. As a woman, you'll want to focus on aerobics, cardio, and yoga-like exercises. Weightlifting will still build muscle, but I assume you wish to attain and maintain a feminine frame, so I would not recommend weightlifting. Even after you begin HRT, you can still control your weight (this largely depends on your age and genetics).

Main thing is to stay strong and stay healthy. The rest will just come naturally.

[Stephanie.Izann]

Exercise and you won't go wrong either way.  Make sure you follow a proper diet and get the right amount of everything.
I had lost a lot of weight and then I popped my knee out before HRT and gained a few pounds back.
If you can get yourself into a regiment of Diet and Exercise you'll be fine. Just think this is part of the transition process and how wonderful you'll look and feel and that'll keep you going.  It's hard, but it sure makes a difference.

[westminstersub]

last two comments got pretty much was I was going to say.

Exercise and diet are the most important things, not only before, but during and after.

It's important to have a healthy diet, eat the right amounts of the right things, and make sure you burn enough calories.

I believe that hormones will change the location of fat "deposits/storage agreas), that includes the actual storages, as the body will not look for them where they are now... so it will transport those fat "reservoirs" to where they belong.

However, we only need "some" fat... so exercise and have a healthy diet, and it will just provide your body with what you need.

Not all the women have a perfect rounded body in all the right places and slim in other areas... so we will have to "work" with what we have... and eating a lot of fat/sugar will not provide our body with a more "rounded" figure!!

[Bird]

Well I am fairly healthy, thankfuly

This year I havent done a lot of exercise but I blame the 4th year of med university. 5th year is a bit easier, as everyone says the 4th is the worse one.

I like to know the details of things though, so I was merely curious to know if there is a bit of weight loss due to less muscle.