Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Sorry as this has probably been overdone, but I just had a doctor's visit yesterday and somehow my weight was at 150. I have never been that heavy in my life and it concerns me slightly. I am 5'9 according to them as well (I could swear I was 5'10.5 a few years ago). I would say the extra weight is not that noticeable yet, but I also have been working out more than I ever have anytime in the past 5 years as well. My appetite seems different too which probably having an effect as well, but I am not sure. I thought I might be lighter since HRT apparently decreases muscle mass, but it seems like that was just a pipe dream. My target weight is probably around the 130 or so I weighed through most of high school, is this a healthy weight for someone my height? I have a feeling I might have to actually start making bigger efforts to diet, something I have never had to do in my life due to a crazy metabolism.

5'9 and 150lbs means your BMI is 22, right on target. 130lbs is on the low end of normal for your height. I'm 5'10 and about 160 or 170 (no hrt yet; and it fluctuates), and people think I'm pretty thin -- and I live in a very athletic town. Hormones can certainly mess with your weight, though. Ask any woman who's on the pill, for instance.

I have been told (by someone who should know -- a trans woman who works in the medical profession) that losing an inch or two of height is normal with hrt. Something about musculature supporting the spine perhaps? Dunno.

~Alyssa

Quote from: Alyssa M. on November 05, 2008, 07:21:56 PM

I have been told (by someone who should know -- a trans woman who works in the medical profession) that losing an inch or two of height is normal with hrt. Something about musculature supporting the spine perhaps? Dunno.

~Alyssa

Wow, an inch or two would make my day. I'd then be 5" 11" instead of 6' 1". Yea! Come on HRT!

I am pretty sure I lost an inch or so and I am definitely pleased at that. 5'9 seems like a good height to me. I know I am losing muscle mass too, my girlfriend comments on it frequently. Not only is my upper body looking much less muscular and more feminine, but when we are "rough-housing" it becomes a lot more obvious as I clearly don't have as much of a massive strength advantage as I have always had. I guess that's what worries me, I know I am losing muscle (which weighs more than fat?) yet still gaining weight.

Quote from: FallenLeaves on November 06, 2008, 01:26:14 PM
I am pretty sure I lost an inch or so and I am definitely pleased at that. 5'9 seems like a good height to me. I know I am losing muscle mass too, my girlfriend comments on it frequently. Not only is my upper body looking much less muscular and more feminine, but when we are "rough-housing" it becomes a lot more obvious as I clearly don't have as much of a massive strength advantage as I have always had. I guess that's what worries me, I know I am losing muscle (which weighs more than fat?) yet still gaining weight.

well your body is storing more of its fat cause it's finally catching on to the fact you're a woman.

I've heared about height decrease/shrinking a few incehs (1-2 i think)
and i also hearde that it comes from slight collapse of spine since muscles
supporting it also shrink. Athough, my endo said HRT does not reduce height!
But sure there was some evidence of that, on pretty much every forum on line
u can hear from some girls that thay have shrank a bit.
And in your case FallenLeaves, it certanly isn't shrinking from ageing so i assume
it is hrt. How long have u been on it? I just stated and want to see when to check it
out myself.  ;)

As for the waight: HRT will increase you apetite and decrease your metabolism so
we are indeed prone to weight gain i.e. if you don't cahnge your eating habits after
u start hrt you will find yourself gaining weight even though you eat the same amounts
before.
If you are not satisfied with your weight, try reducing your daily calorie intake, and
try to exercisse, but moderately, because i heared that intenisve exercisse can actually
boost your androgen levels, which will slow HRT. My endo said 3 times a week is enough.
Hope i helped somehow. take care  :)

Thanks Mari. And I am about 4 months in on HRT now. The inch excites me mostly because I assume it came off my top half which is awesome.

Quote from: Alyssa M. on November 05, 2008, 07:21:56 PM

I have been told (by someone who should know -- a trans woman who works in the medical profession) that losing an inch or two of height is normal with hrt. Something about musculature supporting the spine perhaps? Dunno.

~Alyssa

Loose an inch or two.......If i loose any more height i will qualify for a part in the wizard of Oz :P

And yes what Mari says about sums it up.