Susan's Place Transgender Resources

This post came from me thinking about my arms when posting about the push ups. 

I just feel my arms are so muscular looking even though I know they don't measure up to nothing. I think its more that I have very little fat and any of the muscle I do have is very noticeable.

I would like to know some of the measurements you girls have of your arms. I have researched what the measurements are for a typical girl with my frame and I my measurements are usually less. I do realize most women will have much more fat on there arms, I think that is the biggest difference.

When I ask one of my children if appear as thin as another women we might come across that is really thin they say I am thinner....WTH. I know what I see in the mirror must not be the same. I just don't get it....I look at other girls arms and they look so much thinner than mine, cis girls and even some on here, but my wrists are only 5.5" and my flexed bicep is only 9.75 at the biggest part. I do weigh about 127

I just seen a very petite thin girl at a cell phone place...I thought boy I wish I was that thin....yet I do wear extra small tops and they are not tight anywhere...even around the arms...I just don't know!!

These are not the most favorable pics of me and they are a couple of years old now, but they kind of show just how muscular I appear!! I am a bit thinner or at least less muscular today but not much!!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1229.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee461%2Fshellydrae%2Falexhomecoming024xxjpg.jpg&hash=dad54eb9ca1f0d46959b1aeade2dff03c9132e42)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1229.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fee461%2Fshellydrae%2F92368b9d-e463-467c-b5dd-1a68c0e14596.jpg&hash=d110c47a7a3ba40eaedbeba07eb7233710ef199e)

See the gal on the left's arms? Yours are THIN in comparison! Nothing wrong with fit and sexy!

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Foi62.tinypic.com%2F2usa009.jpg&hash=eba44f3d61de8baa66827a6e89c2dabf5133f77b)

Wrists 8.25" bicep 17.5"

Yup, I'm big.  Pretty sure I can't do anything about the wrists, but maybe the muscle mass subsides more?

Quote from: Just Shelly on June 10, 2014, 11:45:26 PM
I just don't get it....I look at other girls arms and they look so much thinner than mine, cis girls and even some on here, but my wrists are only 5.5" and my flexed bicep is only 9.75 at the biggest part. I do weigh about 127

Just measured my wrists which are thin and they measure 6.5", so you are super thin Shelly. I used to think a friend of mine was much thinner than me and was sooo envious. Then one day we stood side by side in front of a large mirror and I was shocked to see she was bigger than me.

Caroline
x

8" wrist 13" bicep - I haven't lost much size, just a lotta strength.

I'm am sure you girls with the bigger measurements look just fine. I'm just astonished that my measurements are so small yet I look so UGH! I have asked some people close to me or that know my past, how my arms appear,all have all said I just look fit and they wish they had my arms. I just wish I seen what they did!!

I have so much more to be concerned about in my life right now...but I guess when I'm not feeling the best about my life its easier to concentrate on all the things I hate about me!

Not to like exascerbate your image issue, but its likely way more to do with arm length and proportions, not anything to do with thinness (as you are very petite).  Natal females tend to have shorter upper arms (that taper slightly from biggest near the shoulder to smallest at the elbow, whereas maybe yours dont have as much taper and throw off the visual effect causing you to think women have thinner arms.) and longer lower arms than natal males. That extra length might be making you think your upper arms look bigger, when honestly you look quite stringy to me... just my take.  You look fine, I wouldn't worry about it, all those little differences can drive me insane with fear and doubt when other people just don't see it at all.

6" wrist, your fine! I see nothing masculine about your arms, or anything else tbh.

6.5" wrist, 11" bicep for me

I'm a hair under 5'10" and am about 155 lbs if that makes any difference (gained 15 lbs since hrt X.X)

0_0... yeah... totally muscular... here; let me take them off your hands for you ~ they are just way too muscular for you, i'd be happy to take them off your hands ;)

anyway lol if my silly response didn't do my post justice; your arms are far from muscular.... MY arms are huge. I have 13" biceps and idk what my wrists measure... but if its any consolation, my wife is tiny and she measures at 11' biceps.

My arms make me look so massive :icon_cry2: :icon_cry2: :icon_cry2: :icon_cry2:

Quote from: LittleEmily24 on June 11, 2014, 10:59:40 AM
0_0... yeah... totally muscular... here; let me take them off your hands for you ~ they are just way too muscular for you, i'd be happy to take them off your hands ;)

anyway lol if my silly response didn't do my post justice; your arms are far from muscular.... MY arms are huge. I have 13" biceps and idk what my wrists measure... but if its any consolation, my wife is tiny and she measures at 11' biceps.

My arms make me look so massive :icon_cry2: :icon_cry2: :icon_cry2: :icon_cry2:

OMG I was hoping you would post!! Your body shape reminds me of mine and I think your arms look thinner than mine!!!....though just like I you are toned!!

You have absolutely nothing to worry about!! And if you are being honest in your reply I shouldn't as well....but alas I will!! I will admit the pics I posted are not good ones...I clean up very well.....but they showed my muscular definition the best out of most pics I have.

Oh, and don't get me talking about my shoulders.....I feel almost worse over these!!

Quote from: Just Shelly on June 11, 2014, 11:08:34 AM
OMG I was hoping you would post!! Your body shape reminds me of mine and I think your arms look thinner than mine!!!....though just like I you are toned!!

You have absolutely nothing to worry about!! And if you are being honest in your reply I shouldn't as well....but alas I will!! I will admit the pics I posted are not good ones...I clean up very well.....but they showed my muscular definition the best out of most pics I have.

hehehe i aim to please ;D

well I mean, if i think realistically, i still have some muscle reduction to experience, i mean i'm only 4 months into HRT :P and my chest has already gone from 45" to 38" just based on weight loss :3

though, despite feeling like my arms are a bit big... going to the gym makes me feel better because i look at cisguys and see that their arms are HUGE and my arms are so thin compared to theirs lol

I don't mind toned arms at all. I have about a 6.5" wrist and a 12.5" bicep, that seems fine by me. I don't think they are too big. My wrists are smaller than my mothers were too.

I think your arms look fine, We have the same wrist lenght, but my bicep is 10.5  :'( :'( :'( Well I'm not on hormones yet, I hope they will shrink or something, and I think I'm heavier than you though I wish I was skinny like you lol
I'm not working out so I don't get bulky arms for when I will transition, and yeah just don't work out your arms I guess, but really you are fine!!!

You're lovely.  Try to not over-think every little detail, comparing yourself measurement by measurement to every other woman you see.  You'll make yourself crazy.

And whatever you do, don't start reading fashion magazines!   :)

Quote from: ashrock on June 11, 2014, 09:17:56 AM
Not to like exascerbate your image issue, but its likely way more to do with arm length and proportions, not anything to do with thinness (as you are very petite).  Natal females tend to have shorter upper arms (that taper slightly from biggest near the shoulder to smallest at the elbow, whereas maybe yours dont have as much taper and throw off the visual effect causing you to think women have thinner arms.) and longer lower arms than natal males. That extra length might be making you think your upper arms look bigger, when honestly you look quite stringy to me... just my take.  You look fine, I wouldn't worry about it, all those little differences can drive me insane with fear and doubt when other people just don't see it at all.

I think you made a very good observation! I think that is a major factor that plays in the appearance....that and also I don't have that nice little layer of fat just under my skin.

Thank You,

Quote from: Miharu Barbie on June 11, 2014, 01:15:04 PM
And whatever you do, don't start reading fashion magazines!   :)

Wait are you really saying we shouldn't be worried about such esoteric things as thigh-gap or the optimal distance between ones eyes?

Quote from: Hideyoshi on June 11, 2014, 09:23:45 AM
6.5" wrist, 11" bicep for me

I'm a hair under 5'10" and am about 155 lbs if that makes any difference (gained 15 lbs since hrt X.X)

Wow I can't believe my measurements are even smaller than yours! Though not by much. I will say the big difference is that at least yours appear small!!

Quote from: Miharu Barbie on June 11, 2014, 01:15:04 PM
You're lovely.  Try to not over-think every little detail, comparing yourself measurement by measurement to every other woman you see.  You'll make yourself crazy.

And whatever you do, don't start reading fashion magazines!   :)

I really don't obsess over all the little things that bother me. Its just how I am feeling lately....when I am happy I don't care about all my minor flaws.....well at least not as much!  ;)

Oh and yes fashion magazines don't portray reality at all, but I will say there is some very useful advice in many of them.

Quote from: Hikari on June 11, 2014, 03:03:37 PM
Wait are you really saying we shouldn't be worried about such esoteric things as thigh-gap or the optimal distance between ones eyes?

Nooooo!!! I must be hideous!!! LOL

Quote from: Jill F on June 11, 2014, 03:14:48 PM
Nooooo!!! I must be hideous!!! LOL

Nup!  I'm the one who should be wearing a paper bag! :D

Quote from: luna nyan on June 11, 2014, 03:53:14 PM
Nup!  I'm the one who should be wearing a paper bag! :D

I'm thinking about printing out Charlize Theron's face on my paper bag.

Shelly, those measurements are actually pretty small.  Don't think you have anything at all to worry about!
For reference, my current measurements are as follows:
Wrists: 6.75"
Biceps (relaxed/flexed): 11.5"/12.5" 

Numbers don't seem huge, but my arms/wrists definitely feel big...I think its just part of being overly self critical though as we all are!

Also, my current weight is ~172 lbs and I'm 5 ft 8" if that makes any difference.  Trying hard to lose at least 20+ more pounds though because I just feel way too bulky =/

Wrist 7"
bicep 11.125" loose and flexed 12.5"
6'3"
207 pounds.

I need to lose 30 pounds.

Lordy Lordy your arms are great looking. I'd kill for those.  Can we swap please?   

It's not the measurements but the definition that matters.

I have to keep my arms covered in public....always as I have very defined muscles.

Quote from: Caroline2000 on June 11, 2014, 01:22:47 AM
Just measured my wrists which are thin and they measure 6.5", so you are super thin Shelly.

Couldn't manage the biceps for my earlier post, but husband helped me with it and they are 11"

Height 5ft 7in
Weight 144ibs
Caroline
x

Ya I think you definitely don't have big arms either. It strange even though my muscles look very defined apparently I don't have much....I measured unflexed and I'm around  9.25"....it sure appears that I have more than 1/2" of muscle :(

Just Shelly, your arms are just perfect! But I wonder sometimes if the need for feminine validation is more pronounced in us because we're trans. I think it's actually pretty strong in cis-women too, but in my case, it's hard to forget where I came from, where I was. And I have nightmares about going back.

For the record, I just measured my wrists and biceps. Eek. I could have done without those numbers today.  :P

If anyone is looking for a workout regimen to reduce arm muscle, I found this article a while back. Maybe it will be of help to you, although it does seem a little extreme.

Probably the best part about this article is that it is MtF specific, which is apparently one of a kind on the web

http://www.trans-health.com/2001/lose-muscle-gain-fat-dieting-for-mtfs/

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 12, 2014, 03:47:41 PM
If anyone is looking for a workout regimen to reduce arm muscle, I found this article a while back. Maybe it will be of help to you, although it does seem a little extreme.

Probably the best part about this article is that it is MtF specific, which is apparently one of a kind on the web

http://www.trans-health.com/2001/lose-muscle-gain-fat-dieting-for-mtfs/

So, more 12oz curls?  :icon_drunk:

Quote from: Jane's Sweet Refrain on June 12, 2014, 03:03:43 PM
Just Shelly, your arms are just perfect! But I wonder sometimes if the need for feminine validation is more pronounced in us because we're trans. I think it's actually pretty strong in cis-women too, but in my case, it's hard to forget where I came from, where I was. And I have nightmares about going back.

For the record, I just measured my wrists and biceps. Eek. I could have done without those numbers today.  :P

You hit the nail on the head!! Yes I do stress over many of the same things all women do...but then there's the added stuff many cis women don't have to worry about :(

I try not to worry about it.  I adapt my way of dress to work with my body and I've been surprisingly happy with how readily people accept me as a big woman.

Don't fight it.  Own it.

Body dysmorphia seems to happen when you start laser focusing on one body part.  I think that is the problem here :(.  Your arms look totally fine, Shelly.

But I do completely understand.  I do the same thing with my own features and, yeah, my arms are one of my biggest hates.