True or false:
Weight loss is more difficult if you are taking hormones?
More specifically: I'm 260 pounds (down 50 from my peak but over 100 from my goal) and the great majority of it carried in the belly area.
My plan has been to lose the belly first and thensee about HRT but the more I read about body hair and facial feminizeation through HRT, the more impatient I am on the subject.
Am I making the right choice?
Personally I find I have to work harder to keep my weight down on HRT.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
It's always easier to lose weight with male hormones in a body'd environment unless there are medical conditions that mitigate against it. It's fairly easy to gain weight no matter which body is yours! :)
Losing the weight is prolly best and easiest while you're still T-rich.
O, and if you're dieting chose one that you are satisfied with and enjoy eating on. Because you'll need to continue to keep the wieght off.
N~
Hi Laura :)
I faced this dilemma as well, and my doctor left it up to me. For roughly a month I struggled with the decision, going back and forth and reading and studying and asking anybody who looked like they might know. The general consensus was that I'd have about a year before hormonal reassignment really impacted my metabolism, I assume they were referring to the slow decline in muscle mass and it's accompanying metabolic needs, and that I had better make it count.
One serious concern I had was that following a low fat diet would compromise the physical results of hrt, after all we are trying to grow body parts made primarily of fat. However, I couldn't wait any more. I devised a safer verison of Atkins and I started taking the meds...and guess what. I won't say *presto* because it was a lot of work, but when my brain started drying out, before long the work got...easier. What I mean is, instead of spending evenings snuggled up on the sofa with my first true love, Betty Crocker, I found I wanted to go out. At first I was so convinced I was going to get a blood clot that I couldn't sit still for more than a couple hours. The other day I walked to my Sociology lecture, just because it was nice out. I NEVER would have done that before. I'm more engaged in my existence now, and it's not uncommon to have to stop and think before taking my spiro, and try to remember if I've eaten recently. 260lbs is not just a lil bit overweight, we got there for any myriad of reasons, depression probably being right on top of the list.
Anyway, since last November I've been holding steady at 10lbs a month off with just antiandrogens. When we added the estrogens in February there was a short slowdown, but it picked back up promptly. My doctor can't believe it every time I see her. Who knows, maybe if I was still soaked in poison it would be coming off faster, but in my case I seriously doubt it, because I found so little desire and enjoyment in anything, exercise was work and not fun, and there was no end in sight.
So I guess for each individual, we need to ask ourselves why we are overweight, and make the decision from there. If the main cause is emotional, then more than likely I'd guess hrt will help and be beneficial to your goals. If it's just upbringing or too much fast food or whatever, then there's that to think about.
If you do decide to start while trying to lose weight, I'll warn you in advance about chocolate. Estrogen makes chocolate a spiritual experience. I ate one of those chocolate pudding pies I think a few weeks in, and, well, I won't spoil it for you :laugh:
ooo....
there's a lot to think about there. i.e. "why" you have the diet you do and whether a healthier emotional balance makes up for the different chemistry....
definitely something to talk to the professionals about when I get to that point.
thanks!
I say its harder on hrt. you have to watch what you eat like a hawk! it sucks but the pay off at the end is so worth it. I just wish i could have that slice of pie without my A$$ giggling. but that being said it brought me closer to my girlfriends, they where like ,"oh honey you too. you know female hormones wont allow you to just eat whatever and get away with it"
Men deposit fat differently from women. We guys store fat deeper so by the time we get a pot belly, there's actually quite a lot of fat hiding deep in our abdomens.
Women tend to store fat around the hips, thighs, buttocks, upper/rear arms and shallower too, which is why the girls are replying to say that they have to work even harder to keep the weight down.
So yes, as Nichole said, start the hard exercise now - you'll be glad you did later. Oh and it goes without saying but...easy on the lager and pies! :)
By the way, I lost 22 pounds in 4 months simply by having a mainly fish & vegetable diet Monday to Friday but eating what I wanted (within reason) at the weekend. I found the diet helped reduce my appetite a little so that I didn't binge at the weekend - but I still had the reward of my favorite foods to look forward to and that kept me motivated.