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[JennX]

How would you know the long term effects of HRT?  Much like you don't know the role genetics plays for the individual it varies case by case,  hugely but not in the way you mean it, one female develops early in puberty another later, or develops in one way early on and will never develop in another way.

I'm not stating that I do. Quiet the opposite. It's a mixed bag... some will have great progress, others little to none. There is no way to predict. It's really disconcerting to sit here and read day, after day, after day, some people exposing the huge factor HRT plays in physical and anatomical changes, when in reality it is only a small part of the puzzle. Suffice it to say, that if you (or anyone else, and I know there are a few here) that believe HRT (no matter how vigorous, or what method of delivery) is going to turn you into a Victoria's Secret Super Model, or yet more pedestrian still... a passable... for all appearances "genetic looking female"... this is simply not true. Some changes will take place, but they are not the dramatic, physical, life altering, changes some make them out to be. It simply does not work that way. And the entire outcome, despite the amount of time and effort involved, mostly depends on genetics more than anything else... which are unpredictable at best. There simply are no guarantees in life.

This part is true but unless you're from the 19th Century it's stating the bleedin obvious lol.  Even with genetic determination people can work at through exercise and diet to maximise what they do have,  the role of confidence in general body image is HUGE as big as genetics   Some even have surgery for psychological reasons, why not but be very clear in what is being done and for what reasons.

... and this is why plastic surgeons are still in business.

[Cen]

Yes... it can. It's called targeted training as a matter of fact.

Body fat isn't burned in proximity to the muscles being used during exercise.

[JadeS]

I hit a full 34A for boobs recently, so I guess that part is working well, I just hope the rest follows

[justmeinoz]

After 2 months of HRT I have noticed  a slight  reduction in upper abdominal fat, but not lower.   Also some being added to my thighs, the muscle definition that was pronounced is not as great as it used to be.
Still no hips or waist though dammit!  
There may be a slight filling out in my face too, but it is possibly just my imagination.
Karen.

[Skyanne]

It's really disconcerting to sit here and read day, after day, after day, some people exposing the huge factor HRT plays in physical and anatomical changes, when in reality it is only a small part of the puzzle. Suffice it to say, that if you (or anyone else, and I know there are a few here) that believe HRT (no matter how vigorous, or what method of delivery) is going to turn you into a Victoria's Secret Super Model, or yet more pedestrian still... a passable... for all appearances "genetic looking female"... this is simply not true. Some changes will take place, but they are not the dramatic, physical, life altering, changes some make them out to be. It simply does not work that way. And the entire outcome, despite the amount of time and effort involved, mostly depends on genetics more than anything else... which are unpredictable at best. There simply are no guarantees in life.

When people speak in absolutes, the best thing to do generally is ignore them, you included.

[VannaSiamese]

Hey, so I've been on HRT for a while, 9-10 months. I've recently started gaining a bit of weight on purpose so I could have more curves (went from 108lbs to around 115lbs currently, 5'6"), but it's all going into my stomach and I look as flat as before except I have a belly now, is this normal? Thanks.

Honestly, I still stand by my word in my previous post... I think good diet and a nice exercise routine will help distribute your fat in the right places as long as your hormones are consistent.  Look into exercising your legs, abs, butt and hips... or download a body sculpting program.  It definitely won't hurt =)

Yes... it can. It's called targeted training as a matter of fact.

That's not exactly accurate.  You cannot spot train a specific area in regards to burning fat (but you can with building muscle)... for example, if I do tricep extensions all day, it's not going to only target the fat on the back of my arms.  Instead, your body loses fat proportionately to how it was originally placed on your body.  Typically, the last place you gain fat is the first place you'll lose it.  Or, in accordance to accounting standards, the LIFO method =)
However, in the case of Jade, I recommend a nice exercise routine, with cardio, leg and ab exercises to burn some fat and build muscle.  This way, as she gains new fat while exercising, her body will tend to distribute the new fat in a more efficient way, as opposed to it all going to her belly. 

[JadeS]

I think that is definitely a great idea Vanna. I already exercise quite frequently, but mostly cardio (biking, running once in a while, walking), but I guess my job could count as light weight lifting

I have another question, what would be an ideal weight for someone with a small frame and 5'6? At least the minimum to give hrt plenty of fat to redistribute

[VannaSiamese]

I think that is definitely a great idea Vanna. I already exercise quite frequently, but mostly cardio (biking, running once in a while, walking), but I guess my job could count as light weight lifting

I have another question, what would be an ideal weight for someone with a small frame and 5'6? At least the minimum to give hrt plenty of fat to redistribute

at 5'6... ideally you would want to be around 125 lbs.  You still still appear thin at 125 but you'll definitely have some fat on your body =)  i'm 5'8 and my ideal weight is around 130-133lbs.. yet I can barely maintain 117 lbs =(  I know how frustrating trying to gain weight can be... my whole life they told me I'd gain weight at puberty, then at 20, then 25... and now i'm 26 and it's just as hard to gain as it was 10 years ago. 
Try buying a weight gainer supplement and drinking it inbetween meals, that's the only way I've ever been able to gain weight.  Problem is, you have to maintain it or you'll lose the weight =(

[JadeS]

Seriously, I eat so much crap daily trying to gain weight (lots of proteins, carbs, fatty stuff) and always end up losing the few lbs I gain, I think any weight I gain ends up just being water retention or something like that

[VannaSiamese]

Seriously, I eat so much crap daily trying to gain weight (lots of proteins, carbs, fatty stuff) and always end up losing the few lbs I gain, I think any weight I gain ends up just being water retention or something like that

Both you and I have the exact same problem... our body metabolism tends to speed up as we consume more food.  Really the only ways around this is to eat complex carbs (whole grain, fruits, etc...) because they take longer to digest, to eat lots of calories, and to eat healthy fats (Avocados, Grape Seed Oil, Walnut Oil, Olive Oil).  Also, building muscle is the quickest way you will gain weight... people with our body type tend to build muscle in a very fast, lean and efficient way.  We basically have the ideal body type for an athlete or endurance runner.  I suggest trying to utilize your bodies abilities and get in shape...since that's how your body prefers to develop. 
Even though I am tiny, I am very shapely because I have exercised and maintained such a healthy diet for so long.  My doctor says that aside from my weight issue, I'm one of the healthiest patients she's ever seen in regards to my bloodwork, cholesterol and such.  Our bodies just tend to build muscle instead of retaining fat... it's not such a bad thing, it definitely prolongs the longevity of our youthful appearance.  And, when you're 40 you will still have the body of a 25 year old.  SO, in the long run this isn't such a bad thing...
Trust me, you can build muscle and still look feminine.  My arms may look big when I flex them, but in all actuality they are only 11" flexed.. if you saw me standing beside somebody else, you would realize just how small I actually am.