The idea for this thread came from a surprising, awesome, distracting realization about myself. We all change at our own pace and rarely at the rate we desire. Did a change that made you happy (or not) happen while you were not looking?
I will go first:
I needed to get a prescription, and as it was E it was going to happen. My daughter had my car, so I took my motorcycle (2014 Victory hammer 8 Ball). The ride to the store was me focusing on dealing with rush hour traffic, so nothing out of the ordinary noticed. The ride home had lighter traffic, but roads that were in bad shape in places. It was going over one of these patches that I noticed I was..er..um bouncing! Not much mind you but enough to very attention grabbing while it happened. Fortunately I had a very soft t-shirt on. Unfortunately I had a motorcycle jacket on for them to press against.
I have been less than a AA cup for awhile and at some point that changed to a solid AA cup. So heads up, Motorcycles use extreme caution when going on rough roads.
At some point about a year after I became Full-time I stepped out of the shower, looked in the mirror and was somewhat shocked, surprised and happy to see a convincing blonde, blue eyed naked woman with ample breasts and curves staring back at me.
I was aware that my body was changing, but like is for most of us it was a slow process with changes that were hardly perceivable from week to week or even month to month..... then all of a sudden my mind accepted the inevitable conclusion...
I know that probably doesn't make sense but that is the story my 'Changes that aught me by surprise."
Hugs,
Danielle
Two events stand out.
The first was passing a store window and seeing a pretty woman it almost knocked me off my feet. The second was stepping out the shower and seeing.... well me in the body I'm sposed to have.
I started on E only as my T had been very low for some years, and after the first month I was surprised that the first thing which changed was that I was getting erections again! Annoying things went away again.
Allie
I had a similar story to what Alaskan Danielle had.
I was scrubbing my face, and looked into the mirror, and there was a guy staring back at me. I was shocked when I realized it was me!
Also, the first time I tried singing in the car and realized that I had to relearn what my new deeper voice's range was. I'm still puzzling it out, over a year later, but I'm getting better. At least I can almost carry a tune in a bucket now! ;D
Ryuichi
One over the short term and one over the long term.
I was amazed that within 2 weeks my skin on my face and hands felt so much softer. Placebo effect? I believe not. I felt it then and it continued.
After 9 months of HRT (it is now 15 months), I could see and others commented that I look younger!
Hugs
Pamela
The most remarkable one for me happened when I was putting on lipstick one day, after being on HRT for several months. I looked in the mirror and thought, "Wait! Whose lips are those??" They were Kathy's of course, but they were totally different from his to which I had applied lipstick a few days before.
My first "male fail" caught me be surprise, this was before I started HRT in 2010, I was growing my hair out and went to the store, the cashier called me "Ma'am", this event gave me confidence that I could do this.
C -
Even though I read everything I could regarding changes that could happen, it is so strange actually feeling them. A few weeks ago I was taken a shower, and felt my skin, and it was silky. I yelled....wow.....it's not just the boobs that are changing :)
Bobbie
Quote from: bobbiesj on May 22, 2019, 10:36:22 AM
Even though I read everything I could regarding changes that could happen, it is so strange actually feeling them. A few weeks ago I was taken a shower, and felt my skin, and it was silky. I yelled....wow.....it's not just the boobs that are changing :)
Bobbie
Far more than that changes! Sometimes its scary just how much actually does change.
Three changes that took me back and made me pause.
One.....first time ai raised my arm acrossed my chest and felt something was pushing against it.
( suddenly, wait is that me, whoa) Then of course that sensation when rubbing, makes you go.......hello...
Two.....I noticed when I looked at my pictures as Stephee I just stared and stared, looked at them in awe for what seemed like forever. That's when I realized I have been avoiding pictures of me or mirrors for years now. I never smile in pictures ever unless forced too. Literally feel bad when looking at myself. Now I get it. I am only looking at the real me when it is the real me .......as Stephee.
Three....I'm still overweight so I hide a lot of changes that way. Lately noticing when I gain weight it's now below my stomach more, also I can actually feel hips are actually wider now. Skin is so much easier to bruise now too. I know read the label, it will tell you the side effects to the medication. Still makes you stop when the stuff actually works.
Enough of my babbling...interesting topic.
I noticed today, while trying on short sleeve tops, that my arms above my elbow have seemed to picked-up some fat. I am not gaining weight. Also, I noticed recently that my right breast has gotten fuller to more closely match my left breast, so that is a good thing. This roundness looks nice in a form fitting T, that's for sure.
What really got to me is the fat on upper arms, there is no firmness as with my breasts. I do not like that, so I will explore some exercise options but I do not want to get muscle looking.
Chrissy
Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 22, 2019, 03:24:26 PM
I noticed today, while trying on short sleeve tops, that my arms above my elbow have seems to picked-up some fat. I am not gaining weight. Also, I noticed recently that my right breast has gotten fuller to more closely match my left breast, so that is a good thing. This roundness looks nice in a form fitting T, that's for sure.
What really got to me is the fat on upper arms, there is no firmness as with my breasts. I do not like that, so I will explore some exercise options but I do not want to get muscle looking.
Chrissy
@ChrissyRyan Dear Chrissy:Yes indeed firmness and roundness in your breasts is a very good thing. When things are right, a form fitting top is the "best" .... I love how it looks but I do have to be careful with my headlights.... a soft T-shirt bra really helps... I am a firm C-Cup with high beams... LOL
It is nice that your Right caught up with the Left. It took about 2 years of HRT for mine to finally get even... as for you my Left was bigger.
Hmmm, fat and no firmness on upper arms... not good, I hope that you find a solution. Actually I am thinking that a little muscle development if you don't go overboard might help.
Thank you for sharing and posting.
HUGS,
Danielle
Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on May 22, 2019, 03:38:49 PM
@ChrissyRyan
Dear Chrissy:
Yes indeed firmness and roundness in your breasts is a very good thing. When things are right, a form fitting top is the "best" .... I love how it looks but I do have to be careful with my headlights.... a soft T-shirt bra really helps... I am a firm C-Cup with high beams... LOL
It is nice that your Right caught up with the Left. It took about 2 years of HRT for mine to finally get even... as for you my Left was bigger.
Hmmm, fat and no firmness on upper arms... not good, I hope that you find a solution. Actually I am thinking that a little muscle development if you don't go overboard might help.
Thank you for sharing and posting.
HUGS,
Danielle
There is and was firmness for what was there in the upper arms but the fat that was added seems to be flabby!
Chrissy
Finding guys attractive. I still lean more towards women, but being bi did surprise me.
Quote from: AnamethatstartswithE on May 22, 2019, 04:06:39 PM
Finding guys attractive. I still lean more towards women, but being bi did surprise me.
@AnamethatstartswithE That caught me by surprise too. I have had 2 fairly serious romantic encounters with male suitors... if you have read my older thread in the past they would be
NiceGuy Suitor#1 and
ShyGuy Suitor#3 ... I was also being pursued by
CreepyGym Guy Suitor #2 for a while but I was glad when he finally got the message that I was not interested.
I did have some nice happy dates with #1 and #3... a big surprise to me for sure.
Danielle
I was surprised by how much hair grew back at my hairline. A very welcome change that everyone can enjoy.
Quote from: GingerVicki on May 22, 2019, 05:57:16 PM
I was surprised by how much hair grew back at my hairline. A very welcome change that everyone can enjoy.
That is great news!
Chrissy
I needed this. Thank you all! I get so wrapped up in the day to day of late that I am having a hard time seeing the forest while looking at the tree in front of me.
Hugs,
Ricki
The fact I had breasts caught my by surprise. I was a year into hrt. I had checked my breast development regularly and I didn't really notice anything. There was a slight increase in size, at least it seemed that way to me.
Iv'e always slept in just underwear . One morning my dad came in to wake me up and I sat up in bed. Suddenly my dad got this really weird look on his face and walked out quickly. When I went downstairs he told me that from now on I had to sleep with a Tshirt or some kind of top on. I asked him why and he said because I had breasts now. He told me maybe I didn't realize it because I look in the mirror every day, but I had breasts and was to wear some kind of top to bed from now on. Then like 5 or 6 days later I was in the kitchen starting breakfast. It was winter and the house was chilly. Tyler came in there and when he actually got a look at me he his eyes got wide and he turned his head. He said " for god sakes Julia I can see your breasts"! I told him he could not, I had a shirt on. He said he could see the outline of them very easily, especially my nipples. He told me I needed to start wearing a bra or at least a thicker Tshirt. That's how I realized I had actual breast. Lol
Breast tenderness. Even though I had been told that HRT would cause breast tenderness, I greatly underestimated what the word tenderness meant. Even the slightest bump or anything to my breasts could take my breath away with pain. When I first started HRT, I thought "oh a little tenderness. I can handle that". Yeah, you might say I was in for a big surprise.
I recently noticed how much my breast tissue decreased!!! It's amazing! But to be honest evcery day on T is a blessing :)
Quote from: graspthesanity on May 23, 2019, 07:16:01 AM
I recently noticed how much my breast tissue decreased!!! It's amazing! But to be honest evcery day on T is a blessing :)
Dooood! I am so happy for you! Just think of me as the recipient.... <grin>
Ricki
I was surprised at how fast my breasts started growing. According to the literature on line, breast growth should be noticeable after 3 - 6 months. For me, it was about 3 weeks! Also shrinking genitals should appear around 3 -6 months, but mine seem to be already and I only have 5 weeks on HRT.
The only thing I can think of that might have caused stuff to happen faster is I've been on Dutasteride for over 2 years. Beyond that, I'm only taking Estradiol, without any other anti-androgen.
I haven't had any physical changes that I'd consider a surprise. After all the research I knew fairly well what to expect. If anything, I was/am a bit disappointed in some aspects. The one that caught me by surprise was emotional.
I was not ready the gut-wrenching-melt-to-the-floor intensity of the emotion that hit me when I kissed my wife one day early in transition. She had to hold me up, my knees literally gave out. I knew/know I love my wife, the sheer intensity of it shocked the s*** out of me. It hasn't faded. All I have to do is have her in my thoughts, like now, and I feel it.
She used to describe it to me in the before times. I never really grasped it. Now I know.
My knees have almost given out recently, but that was due to leg problems, not HRT. ;)
Recently caught a long look in the mirror to find a woman staring back at me through the faint outline of a man's fading shell of a body. Was nice affirmation. Breasts are also developing quickly for me.
Sometimes I'll get caught off guard when I'm getting ready for work in the morning or running around in cute leggings and a fun top. I like how my curves are developing: Two days ago I looked down toward my waist and saw a woman's body from my chest down to my toes. I'm really loving transition.
Sophia
Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 22, 2019, 03:24:26 PM
I noticed today, while trying on short sleeve tops, that my arms above my elbow have seemed to picked-up some fat. I am not gaining weight. Also, I noticed recently that my right breast has gotten fuller to more closely match my left breast, so that is a good thing. This roundness looks nice in a form fitting T, that's for sure.
What really got to me is the fat on upper arms, there is no firmness as with my breasts. I do not like that, so I will explore some exercise options but I do not want to get muscle looking.
Chrissy
tricep excercises are probably best route with lower weight + high reps
Quote from: Zefoxe on May 24, 2019, 06:15:33 PM
tricep excercises are probably best route with lower weight + high reps
Good ideas... @Zefoxe. Thank you.
It seems to be just a little fat that I can pinch, it is not drooping or anything.
What this "slight bit of fat" may actually be is not more fat but a loss of muscle mass. I am beginning to think that is what it really is.Have any of you girls lost muscle mass in the upper arms because of transitioning?
It seems to make sense that would make your upper arms feel softer or a bit flabbier than before.
Firm but softer. Not as masculine. That is good!
Chrissy
I was walking past a full length mirror at the gym after spin class and I saw my reflection. I liked my hair and then saw a woman looking back. I thought I looked a little cute. It was the first time I had those thoughts. I was really happy I glanced by that mirror.
Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 24, 2019, 06:41:19 PM
Have any of you girls lost muscle mass in the upper arms because of transitioning?
@ChrissyRyan - yes I lost over 6" in my upper arms.
Quote from: CynthiaAnn on May 24, 2019, 06:57:49 PM
@ChrissyRyan - yes I lost over 6" in my upper arms.
@CynthiaAnn
Gee that is a lot. Unless you have a lot of arms.
Maybe I should start measuring some spots.
Chrissy
I have lost muscle in upper and lower arms, and my endurance walking up hills has gone completely by the wayside. Maybe it's the shoes...I should buy another pair and see if that helps!
Ricki
I was surprised how much more confident I became after starting estrogen. I felt more comfortable with myself and didn't mind expressing who I was to others. It became rather insane, too, because I went from this programmer profiting off war to a full time college student pursuing medicine in about a year. I'm still surprised by that aspect of my life having so much change, and I attribute that to estrogen giving me comfortableness.
Also, definitely boobs. Stairs periodically make my chest bounce, and as an A cup this is surprising every time I notice.
Cheek fat, too. My face changed a lot from HRT. I'm surprised how much it changed.
Quote from: pamelatransuk on May 22, 2019, 05:18:24 AM
One over the short term and one over the long term.
I was amazed that within 2 weeks my skin on my face and hands felt so much softer. Placebo effect? I believe not. I felt it then and it continued.
After 9 months of HRT (it is now 15 months), I could see and others commented that I look younger!
Hugs
Pamela
Having thought about this in greater depth, I remember how surprised I was that shortly after starting HRT, I felt a great sense of peace, my mind cleared and I could concentrate better. I knew for certain I was on "the right fuel". My motivation increased accordingly.
My dysphoria and depression remained but I could see the reduction in them.
Hugs
Pamela
1. I was finally complete and didn't want anyone else to complete me.
2. Going from wanting women only to be bi. I'd find some guys attractive over the years, but fully accepting I was Rachel changed my sexuality from straight to bisexual.
Listen to the song "Slow Hand" by the Pointer Sisters and see how you feel. Did you identify with wanting what the singer wants and found? I did in a big way. I always liked the song before, but now, I want me to be the one getting a slow handed lover.
I think the next thing that will get me, if I can ever transition, will be breasts. I've wanted those since high school. LOL
Quote from: Ricki Wright on May 25, 2019, 02:11:04 AM
I have lost muscle in upper and lower arms, and my endurance walking up hills has gone completely by the wayside. Maybe it's the shoes...I should buy another pair and see if that helps!
Yeah, climbing hills in stilettos doesn't work well. ;)
I had never thought of falling for a man before or a fellow MTF transitioner until I met this most fantastic person last week. I was enthralled from the beginning and had never felt these feelings. I hope we will continue the connection as she is about as beautiful as any woman I have met. Inside and out. I know we can't be anything but friends but I'm good with that. I hope she is too, as she is just so interesting and I want to be around her. Luckily she lives nearby.
Dawn O Day......I hope it works for you. Always great feeling at the start of any new freindship. Future will always give you chances at greatness.
And I like you was never attracted to another man or trans. Women exclusive.
I still am, but I have to admit it now.. i do find men attractive now......just crazy.
I used to be most definitely bi. These days men make good eye candy but I'm definitely lesbian. The thought of being with a man is just... blah.
Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 24, 2019, 06:41:19 PM
Good ideas... @Zefoxe. Thank you.
It seems to be just a little fat that I can pinch, it is not drooping or anything.
What this "slight bit of fat" may actually be is not more fat but a loss of muscle mass. I am beginning to think that is what it really is.
Have any of you girls lost muscle mass in the upper arms because of transitioning?
It seems to make sense that would make your upper arms feel softer or a bit flabbier than before.
Firm but softer. Not as masculine. That is good!
Chrissy
I lost tons of upper body strength! I used to carry two bags of softener salt at a time, now I have a hard time to carry one of them. My muscles seem to fade very fast now. My entire arms are getting thinner!
Ever since I started estogen I can't stop listening to Nelly. Even when I'm with my boo.
Quote from: graspthesanity on May 23, 2019, 07:16:01 AM
I recently noticed how much my breast tissue decreased!!! It's amazing! But to be honest evcery day on T is a blessing :)
I know, right? I was
so happy when I lost the "perky woman chest!" I'm also happy to lose the facial fat that I used to have.
One big thing that got me going "whoawhattheheck???" was my bottom growth. Its
so much more sensitive than it's ever been!
Ryuichi
So many awesome changes that sneak up on us!!! It's like this hormonal realignment is puberty 2.0 but seems to take longer because we do not have the hell that was Jr. High and High School to distract us. Well for some of us it was 5th thru 7th grade...you know what I mean.
Go Team E and Team T!
Ricki
I never realized that gasoline got heavier during the last two years!
I always could carry a full 5 gallon gas can with ease. Yesterday, I had to carry two of them, there was no ease at all involved. I had to work hard with them!
1) Peace with myself - finally
2) And my spouse telling me I can't go topless anymore.
Kate
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Never realized that my boobs would grow uneven. Left definitely is larger. Also my face is fuller, almost younger looking some. Not hugely noticeable, but you can see it. Also that wearing make up helps that young look out even more.(when I do it right...lol)
Quote from: Linde on May 29, 2019, 09:09:41 PM
I never realized that gasoline got heavier during the last two years!
They must be adding lead again. ;)
New for me, I watched 'The Conjuring 2' again tonight, and for about a third of the movie my hairs were on end. I've seen this movie a couple of times, and was never scared before.....
Allie
I mentioned/asked about this in a separate post, though I thought I would mention it here too as this thread seems to be more of a collection of "things that might happen" and therefore useful to us:
Sense of smell has gotten almost to the superhuman (or perhaps cis female?) level. I had no idea that every man (not slathered in Axe-gag-me-body-spay) and women has their own unique smell.
Flight or flight faster reaction to more than two men taller than me (not hard at all to find as I am 5'8") that I do not know within 10 feet of me. It dose not matter how I am presenting either.
Ricki