Hi all, I just started hormones 3 days ago, and I was warned by many people on here and by my doc that I may experience more fat in my abdomen area. Is it common? If so, I am already carrying a little extra in that area, so should I start buying pants that are a little bigger in the waist?
Thanks!
It accumulates in the more typical areas for a female, but I don't think you need those new pants tomorrow or anything.
silly doctor! if anything you may find in a few weeks you have suddenly got a nicer waist.
Really? That's good news, I just don't know what to shop for for the moment! I guess too big is better than too small, that's what belts are for!
Chrissi
You should see it coming with plenty of time to do something about it :)
Quote from: Icephoenyx on March 20, 2010, 11:43:58 PM
Hi all, I just started hormones 3 days ago, and I was warned by many people on here and by my doc that I may experience more fat in my abdomen area. Is it common? If so, I am already carrying a little extra in that area, so should I start buying pants that are a little bigger in the waist?
Thanks!
Your Doctor is absolutely right! I've been on HRT for years and that it's a big problem for me. Any fat I do get goes on the belly and I don't get fat where I want it (my legs, thighs, hips etc). It has been a nightmare and excercise isn't shifting it.
The best thing to do is before you start HRT is to make sure you have absolutely no fat at all in the abdomen otherwise the HRT will target that area which has any existing fat.
Too late for that! I have been exercising more and watching what I eat, but I just started hormones last week. I guess for now I will start buying pants slightly bigger! It's embarrassing though :(
Chrissi
Careful with that -- exercising can trigger people to be hungrier (kind of obvious), so exercising and eating less can just end up with binging and then you're in worse shape (literally) than you started.
Mild exercise combined with healthy eating will do wonders in the long run, and requires less effort.
Ive been on HRT for 3 years and I have noticed my waist line fluctuates. Depending on what I eat and how much exercise I do the fat seems to come and go. I have a problem with my belly sticking out a little bit and it really annoys me. I think HRT adds more fat to the belly and the rest of your body but it could just be my diet and exercise routine.
I'm no expert but I've read in several places that fat cells never go away (save via lipo) though new ones can form.
Those that already exist simply get bigger or smaller in terms of making you fatter.
If this is true then it seems to me those of us who were genetic males (and thus with a tendency to put fat around the waist) and were/are overweight have the problem of always having that fertile field of pre-existing fat caells which, hormones or no hormones, want to plump up if given the fuel.
Am I wrong?
Quote from: Laura Hope on March 23, 2010, 12:37:52 AM
Am I wrong?
If you're right that really sux and lipo for the win.
Quote from: Laura Hope on March 23, 2010, 12:37:52 AM
If this is true then it seems to me those of us who were genetic males (and thus with a tendency to put fat around the waist) and were/are overweight have the problem of always having that fertile field of pre-existing fat caells which, hormones or no hormones, want to plump up if given the fuel.
Am I wrong?
You are absolutely right! and you've put it across better than I did Laura!
Quote from: Laura Hope on March 23, 2010, 12:37:52 AM
I'm no expert but I've read in several places that fat cells never go away (save via lipo) though new ones can form.
Those that already exist simply get bigger or smaller in terms of making you fatter.
If this is true then it seems to me those of us who were genetic males (and thus with a tendency to put fat around the waist) and were/are overweight have the problem of always having that fertile field of pre-existing fat caells which, hormones or no hormones, want to plump up if given the fuel.
Am I wrong?
Actually you are both right and wrong.
Fat cells never move.
Hormones control where your fat is STORED, is it the belly fat cells? is it the hips? a lot of it is due to genetic too (well, sort of, chemicals can still alter that).
So yeah, lipo will make things easier, but you don't need it if you have the right gene, right hormones, right doses.
You'll many times need to BURN the fat that already exists (meaning: deplete existing energy storages) and then gain it elsewhere.
Tips for that: delay breakfast as long as you can, eat dinner as early and light as you can to increase fat burning at night.
Be on a ketosis inducing diet (meanings that you are running on your fat cells instead of sugar, usually high fat diets).
Calorie Restriction.
Good luck!
P.S. yes, it works.
wow, this is good advice, thank you so much Myself :D
Quote from: Myself on March 23, 2010, 02:27:56 PM
Actually you are both right and wrong.
Fat cells never move.
Hormones control where your fat is STORED, is it the belly fat cells? is it the hips? a lot of it is due to genetic too (well, sort of, chemicals can still alter that).
So yeah, lipo will make things easier, but you don't need it if you have the right gene, right hormones, right doses.
You'll many times need to BURN the fat that already exists (meaning: deplete existing energy storages) and then gain it elsewhere.
Tips for that: delay breakfast as long as you can, eat dinner as early and light as you can to increase fat burning at night.
Be on a ketosis inducing diet (meanings that you are running on your fat cells instead of sugar, usually high fat diets).
Calorie Restriction.
Good luck!
P.S. yes, it works.
okies i have to disagree with myselfs tip for losing fat stores. Assuming 8 hrs rest at night delaying breakfast further lowers your metabolism combined with restricted calorie intake and you have a recipe for increased body fat as soon as your diet turns back to normal. this has been reduced to a science now by exercise physiologists and the information is readily available on the internet. Ketosis means your burning fat yes but your also burning muscle. result lowered metabolism increased body fat percentage.
Biological fact. fat cells are set by genetics until they multiply which they do when the body detects a need for more of them. losing weight = empting fat cells. so if you follow myselfs plan please do not reduce your calorie intake by more then 500 cals or you will self defeat. Consider adding cardio and strength training
jessica
I don't have a link to any of the studies at the moment but actually low carb diets are the diets which showed to preserve the most muscle tissue compared to other diets.
Ketosis diet even showed to increase lean body mass quite a bit.
EVERY diet will result in decreased fat and muscle, not just ketosis. Ketosis results in the least of muscle loss. So you are losing weight and keeping the good part which makes you lean.
So no, ketosis does NOT mean you are burning fat but also muscle, losing weight means that. Ketosis means you're losing more fat than muscles.
The above results in much less decreased metabolic rated compared to any other diet, which damages your metabolism more severely.
Every diet, every time you lose weight, your metabolism slows down a bit, if you lose fat instead of muscle, the slow is CONSIDERABLY less than the metabolic rate lost when losing muscles, as it is with most diets.
So Jesse's points are somewhat correct but very inaccurate regarding the diet.
Jesse is right about not reducing calorie intake by more than 500 calories though, if you are planning to lose weight it is never healthy to lose more than a pound and a half every week.
While cardio and strength training is always recommended, it is never a must. Although it CAN give much better results, by building up muscle mass.
You must keep in mind, I NEVER recommended ketosis to LOSE WEIGHT, I recommended it to enhance the speed you change where you fat STAYS AT.
I gave two ideas for that: 1) lose weight and gain it back. 2) Ketosis diet.
With the ketosis diet I did not say you need to lose weight, I didn't say to eat less. I said put yourself in a fat burning state WHILE EATING ENOUGH TO KEEP AT SAME WEIGHT.
The above should NOT hurt your muscle mass, taking a good time at night from dinner to late breakfast will not slow your metabolism because you are on ketosis, therefore you will have be burning fat instead of sugar and you'll have energy for the day.
I've gained 13 pounds since starting hormones 11 months ago. My waist is pretty much the same size. The extra weight seems to have gone mainly to my breasts, butt, thighs and - yes - that feminine roundness of the belly below the waist. :) YMMV
- Kate
Spirno would help with water, but exercise is key and diet. Yeah you will get prob the female tummy, but its all good. sexy actually if you keep in shape..guys like it.
One side note on fat gain round the waist ... Genetic females who have suffered anorexia and then start to put on weight begin by adding it around the waist (which totally freaks them out, of course). Only when their weight starts to normalize over a period of time do they redistribute the fat around the female areas of butt, thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms etc. This may be relevant for transgender women because one of the side-effects of anorexia is that it totally messes up women's hormones. A recovering anorexic starts to produce proper quantities of estrogen, have periods, etc after what can be years without them (in fact, young women in their 20s who have been calorie-restricting all thru their teens may only have periods for the first time when they start their recovery and gain a little weight). They are, therefore, experiencing a sort of natural HRT, becoming adult females relatively late in life ... Like us. So it might not be surprising if some of us experience the same pattern of fat redistribution. If so, there may be no need to worry, because it may end up where it should be in the end ... No pun intended!! :)
So should I start buying pants that are a little big around the waist for me?
Chrissi
From everything that I have read, and trust me, I have read an awful lot, what you have prior too hormone therapy, will stay where it is at. Any additional fat that you recieve AFTER hormones are introduced to the body, will get distributed toward the female areas. Now if you are trying to lose weight, again, from what I have read, is that it will take from where the male fat was, to ensure that the hips, buttocks and thighs maintain the weight due to the biological female trying to add cushion to that area for pregnancy. Like if they fall, or what not.
As for buying new pants, I wouldn't sweat at this point in time. Wait and see what happens first. Since you just started, I would give it some time, and see how your body responds. Just eat healthy, don't gorge your self, and you should be fine....add spicey foods to your diet, to help boost your metabolizism, as estrogen has a tendency to slow down metabolism in your body....
It all depends on what body type you have; endo, meso or ecto.
Regarding ketosis diet plan. My sis calls it "chasing the dragon" and says it is a dangerous way to lose weight. She is a RN of many years.
QuoteIf ketosis continues for long periods of time, serious damage to the liver and kidneys can occur, which is why most low-carbohydrate, or ketogenic diets recommend only short-term use, typically 14 days. Many nutritionists caution their patients-especially women in the early stages of pregnancy-against following them at all.
from http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/weight/weight_ketones-and-ketosis.htm (http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/weight/weight_ketones-and-ketosis.htm)
Quote from: Melissa M on April 05, 2010, 11:58:16 PM
Now if you are trying to lose weight, again, from what I have read, is that it will take from where the male fat was
Half correct.
When losing weight (or in general burning fat, which isn't only when you lose weight, but something that happens when you're just alive) you lose from EVERYWHERE, not just male parts. But when gaining (or to be correct, storing energy which again happens when you're just alive) will be into feminine positions.
Quote from: Myself on April 06, 2010, 01:01:49 PM
Half correct.
When losing weight (or in general burning fat, which isn't only when you lose weight, but something that happens when you're just alive) you lose from EVERYWHERE, not just male parts. But when gaining (or to be correct, storing energy which again happens when you're just alive) will be into feminine positions.
.....in your opinion!
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on April 06, 2010, 02:27:22 PM
.....in your opinion!
I will assume you are referring to the statement of gaining the fat into feminine position.
Well, in theory yes, not always in practice as you claim.
Quote from: Myself on April 06, 2010, 01:01:49 PM
Half correct.
When losing weight (or in general burning fat, which isn't only when you lose weight, but something that happens when you're just alive) you lose from EVERYWHERE, not just male parts. But when gaining (or to be correct, storing energy which again happens when you're just alive) will be into feminine positions.
Again, depends on whether you're an endomorph, ectomorph or mesomorph. There is no hard and fast rule that covers all body types.
Yeah, results can vary.
For myself I have not been on hormones for long. I still have my little belly, I have quite a curvy lower spine so my belly tended to be out a bit anyway, I don't mind. But I have noticed that I now have a bit more of a waist (above the belly).
What I would like is to get some more fat just below my little pot, I seem to have nothing there (except on the monds pubis which is getting a bit more padded now on hormones. ).
I really do have to watch my weight but always had to. I eat a healthy diet, lots of fruit and veg as well and I run 10/12 miles a week. My fat distribution has been from the belly to breasts, thighs and bum. I am 14lbs lighter than when I started HRT. No pain no gain.
Stardust
Quote from: casorce on April 06, 2010, 01:25:34 AM
It all depends on what body type you have; endo, meso or ecto.
Hi!
I'm an ecto!
I had massiv underweight when I startet hormones ~20kg. Before I had srs it was very difficult for me to gain weight and i stored it all on my stomach. not on my hips, tights etc :(
after srs I lost ~14kg again and I'm slowly regaining it! hope the fat will be more on the right places, but i doubt that.
being an ecto has advantages and disadvantages :)
Kerstin
Quote from: KerstinVienna on April 07, 2010, 04:48:55 AM
Hi!
I'm an ecto!
I had massiv underweight when I startet hormones ~20kg. Before I had srs it was very difficult for me to gain weight and i stored it all on my stomach. not on my hips, tights etc :(
after srs I lost ~14kg again and I'm slowly regaining it! hope the fat will be more on the right places, but i doubt that.
being an ecto has advantages and disadvantages :)
Kerstin
Also ecto; was borderline anorexic but gained a healthy 50 pounds/23kg, largely due to HRT.
It seems to have distributed nicely on my buttocks, hips, chest and thighs.
The unfortunate consequence of the rapid weight gain is stretch marks. Lots of them :-\
well i was anorxic too, but never had a normal weight.
When i started hrt I began to eat more but even if I was eating like a cow i hardly gained weight :)
From Feb '07-Nov '08 (FFS) I gained about 25kg because I knew I'll lose a lot after surgery, and I lost a lot! ;)
Same happend before and afters SRS.
Now I have to wait and see where my little fat deposits will grow :)
I hope there will be some development :)
Krestin.. Sorry I just had to ^^ I noticed your avatar photo. You are beautiful!!!
Feels good every time you see someone from this community that looks so good, just makes you feel how possible the goal is ^^
Quote from: Myself on April 07, 2010, 07:54:51 AM
Krestin.. Sorry I just had to ^^ I noticed your avatar photo. You are beautiful!!!
Feels good every time you see someone from this community that looks so good, just makes you feel how possible the goal is ^^
I agree, you do look very female facially Krestin.
I certainly have a tiny bit more of a tummy than I used to. Certainly no more six packs. :laugh:
Generally, I would say the a little extra fat, especially in the tummy, should be expected.
If your skinny is it a good idea to gain weight to get the most out of HRT? I'm mostly worried about breast growth (I realize it has a lot to do with genes too, etc). My support group said it would help, although I think they might just have said that since they act like I'm a stick :laugh:
Quote from: Katelyn-W on April 12, 2010, 12:31:12 PM
If your skinny is it a good idea to gain weight to get the most out of HRT? I'm mostly worried about breast growth (I realize it has a lot to do with genes too, etc). My support group said it would help, although I think they might just have said that since they act like I'm a stick :laugh:
Gain weight? that's been a bad idea for me as any weight only goes in one place (the belly). My legs and everything else is still very skinny!
Hi ladies, question about body fat... I have very skinny legs and bony knees... does HRT improve the look of legs? I have been on HRT for 3 months now... Ive attached pics so u can see it... I notice alot of genetic girls and many TS that has been on hrt, their knee isnt as bony as mine and are very smooth and not all chiselled and protruding like mines... BTW, i play alot of volleyball and although my legs are skinny, they are toned.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net%2Fhs462.snc3%2F25398_739847772226_25509473_40558320_546952_n.jpg&hash=60d0970de4dfd07008a1c4adca250058b93a4143)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net%2Fhs462.snc3%2F25398_739847447876_25509473_40558312_5647851_n.jpg&hash=edfc5122dae89a6d43e23e0da7c0a6dbaffc3bbc)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash1%2Fhs462.ash1%2F25398_739847452866_25509473_40558313_5253489_n.jpg&hash=7f7b774e9d2a30a9b439b645d75ea3ea4e2506e1)
Compared to
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fc4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com%2Fimages02%2F92%2Fl_bd1c028b33a448d989adc04fb2c391e7.jpg&hash=b2c35a85bfe9456692f76f6fbe227c71a9b30996)
hers is all nice and smooth :)
I really would like your feedback... pls thank yu
Fat is feminizing, but you have to have some. Since there is some muscle atrophy and new fat accumulating in the right areas, the legs do look better after a while on HRT. After 15 months on HRT myself, however, I have not seen drastic changes yet. I have not bought new pants and still wear the same women's jeans that I was wearing right before HRT.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1528418539 (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1528418539)
I dunno, the third picture looks normal.
Rest, not sure if they are so different O_o really.
Sometimes people have bigger joints.
Quote from: TristanV on April 13, 2010, 02:06:57 AM
Hi ladies, question about body fat... I have very skinny legs and bony knees... does HRT improve the look of legs? I have been on HRT for 3 months now... Ive attached pics so u can see it... I notice alot of genetic girls and many TS that has been on hrt, their knee isnt as bony as mine and are very smooth and not all chiselled and protruding like mines... BTW, i play alot of volleyball and although my legs are skinny, they are toned.
I really would like your feedback... pls thank yu
To me you just look ...
(a) 1000% passable and
(b) Just like a regular girl with skinny legs ... which is the kind of girl that all the girls with fat thighs REALLY envy
Nothing to worry about at all, I'd say! :)
Are they your own three pics? you look awesomely female and the best person in transition I've seen on here for ages!
The fat distribution doesn't really work on my lower legs either. But you look so good facially and everywhere else that I wouldn't worry too much. I wish I looked half as good as you do!
Everyone's fat metablolism is unique. What is important is that you learn how yours works.
What worked for me was to lose 40 lbs on the South Beach diet, before starting transition. SBeach is healthier no-sugar/no-fast-carbs/low-fat diet.
What was important about this, is men do lose weight easier than women, so getting down to my proper weight first seemed like a good strategy. But more important, this proved to me that I wanted badly enough to transition, and that I had the self-discipline to transition.
It took nearly a year, and I didn't lose weight every single day, or even every week. I backslid a couple times. But when I hit rough spots in my transition, I remind myself about tha diet, and gives me the confidence to get through it. Not just the diet, but other things like the diet too.
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on April 13, 2010, 08:16:50 AM
Are they your own three pics? you look awesomely female and the best person in transition I've seen on here for ages!
Gee, thanks... :P
Quote from: Firelight on April 15, 2010, 05:04:27 PM
Gee, thanks... :P
Firelight, you are not the person I commented on in my earlier post. She was of a different origin and called Tristan V. I also commented on Krestin but I didn't make any comments about you Firelight.
But if your looking for compliments you also look great as well!