Broken Bones

[GoodMorning]

Hiya Girls!

I've been thinking about something for a while, and researched my textbooks and online for an answer. I can't ask my instructors because then if I show up one day with a cast on the jig is up. I can't come up with any definitive answers, so I thought I'd ask you 

Several years ago, I broke my left arm. Oh, I broke it good too, believe you me. Anyhow, I don't have a particularly big bone structure, and three months later when my arm came out of the cast, the bulk of the muscle had gone away, leaving a very soft, feminine look. Of course, DNA and it's wicked henchmen ~hormones~ promptly set about rebuilding it, and years later both arms look the same again.

I think you can see what I'm getting at. What would happen in this case, to someone on HRT? Would the muscle rebuild to its original obnoxious size, or would it stay or at least not regrow as much? I am farily certain the muscle went away from being in the cast and immobile, not from the broken bone underneath. Has anyone around here ever had this experience? I'm curiouse about the results if so, if you wouldnt mind sharing. The obviouse impracticality of casting your arms up for three months aside...would it work?
Thanks!

~Mandy~

[cindianna_jones]

Wow Amanda, that's a very unusual thing to think about!

I'm thinking that it wouldn't quite work the way you might imagine.  Hormones will change your muscle mass but the girth of your arms won't change significantly.  The best way to lose mass is become active in running!  Have you ever seen an active runner who isn't very lean?

Okay, I know, that sounds like a lot of work. 

Cindi

[Julie Marie]

Mandy, genetics play a big role in what you'll look like after HRT.  So even as the muscle recovers from atrophy some of the mass will most likely return.  My doctor told me it isn't uncommon to lose strength and not lose muscle mass.  That's what I've seen in myself.

Anyway, hope you don't put yourself in a body cast to look feminine.  You won't look very good in a dress looking like a mummy!

Julie

[GoodMorning]

Anyway, hope you don't put yourself in a body cast to look feminine.  You won't look very good in a dress looking like a mummy!

Oh god no, I'd die from the itching. Thank you for the replies, I had suspected that running was really the only way, and I'm sure its the healthiest way to get your body to cooperate. I just worry, I've been an active person all my life, and my body likes to pack on muscle mass, especially in my legs. I'll do some more looking and reading and maybe even quiz a doc to see what's best. 

Thanks all 

[KarenLyn]

I'm thinking that it wouldn't quite work the way you might imagine.  Hormones will change your muscle mass but the girth of your arms won't change significantly.  The best way to lose mass is become active in running!  Have you ever seen an active runner who isn't very lean?

Okay, I know, that sounds like a lot of work. 

Cindi

I don't mean to be argumentative but...
Actually, a lean build lends itself to being a runner's build. I was an active runner for many years, running 7 miles daily at lunch, and never got a lean build. I've lost much more muscle mass since starting hormones and cutting back on the exercise.

Karen Lyn