Ok I used to be able to lift a 100lb futon no problem, but yesterday I was playing around with my fiance and I went for an impromptu test of strength. With both my hands and the weight of my body i tried to push one of his hands down and i couldn't even when he was at a disadvantaged position his strength easily overpowered mine. The thought of that was both interesting and scary. Interesting in that he was strong and i liked that, but at the same time, i felt really vulnerable, thinking if i was attacked or something, i really didnt have strength I used to fight back....and that was a scary thought.
I was trained in martial arts and I do know how to kill someone if i have to with little force. My kicking strength can choke a heavy 100lb bag and lift it up, but to think there might be a situation where i couldnt do anything... frightening...
Anyone else feel this way?
I have lost not only alot of strength from HRT but some of my medical issues have weakened me also.
Scares the ->-bleeped-<- out of me when I think too much on it. I was a bit of a brawler for many years and the loss of my strength definatly has worried I will no longer be able to adequatly protect myself should I get into a confrontation.
Yea this is a huge concern of mine as well. In just a month I've noticed a decrease in strength. a 50lb bag is noticeable now when I move it where before I would just fling it around without much thought or effort.
The thought of being naturally weaker then our male counterparts is both exciting and scary for me as well. I love it because I know that's part of being a female, but am terrified because even with all of my training if someone manages to get a hold of me and pin me down...
Gabby
I used to lift appliances, transmissions, bags of concrete etc. But how it is tough to life a 28 pound of cat litter. Part of it is because of HRT, and part is because of my back.
Same here, although I don't think I could have killed anyone with my training as a man, I have been a body builder from late teens to early thirties and had pretty good body strength in fact my back (latissimus dorsi) were capable of 45 dead body weight pull ups. Not bad for 217lbs muscle weight. What is the most amazing lately that HRT (few little pills) can alter body chemistry to the point of total change from black to white. Now at 193lbs(still much but getting there) and strength that of female body builder, I can see even the simplest of weight challenge my resolve. Now I must result to alternate weight distribution where before it was just grip and lift. Endurance is good though slightly diminished. But after all isn't this exactly what the doctor ordered, soft, vulnerable, having the masculine help us out and hold the door :D
I am sad to say i can no longer brute force open a pickle jar.... I have to put it under running hot water. Or ask the SO to open it for me....
A stereotypical milestone in my life...
@Izumi - this post makes me smile and excited about hormones (granted I'm only 7 weeks)... I don't know why but these small little things seem to make such a difference :)
I have a male friend who is abit weak for a guy quite bony however he's usually overly playful when drunk and I've noticed how he can actually seriously hurt me. It really hammers home how frighteningly strong men are.
When I hit him a direct hit on his bony ribs makes him flinch for a second but doesn't hurt him. before it would make him recoil and stop. He couldn't hurt me before now he can leave me reeling if he were to properly hit me and his playful hits often bruise me even if I block them.
He can also easily wrench my arms around now before I could overpower him easily now it's roles reversed. if he grabs both my arms I'm pretty powerless struggling or kicking just makes him twist my arms more.
There are other clear clues.
Hauling my grocery bags (40kg) home used to be tiring but good workout now it completely decimates me. There are a number of steep hills on my bike ride to uni that it's just easier to walk up now than climb. Although my legs arn't as weakened as the rest of my body.
I used to be able to lift or climb with 140% my own body weight now I'm barely scraping 100%
My father broke the bath tap by wrenching it shut (don't ask he's and idiot) I couldn't undo it neither could any other female in our family much to the complain of my mother in denial.
Based on these events I gather that my strength is reduced by 1/2 my legs and abdominal tho maybe only 1/3rd I guess I'm stronger than most females tho lower than most males as I can still hoist my own body and I could handle a 5ft power kite without any real difficulty most of the girls I know couldn't. Not had problems with jars yet tho ^_^
same here...I lifted heavy bits of engineering and furniture but now I have to really think about how to get some help...and as for opening jars!
Me too... I've totally noticed a big loss of strength... Partly due to various injuries, but I really started to notice after I'd been on HRT awhile
I get frustrated with it sometimes because I also was rather strong... On the upside... I've noticed that guys are often quick to lift heavy things for me
And yes, realizing how weak I'd become does scare me a bit... I've become much more cautious and aware of my surroundings
I've always been fairly weak in my arms. Since I was small growing up (being rather girlish in grade school) I was picked on quite a bit. That also prompted me to learn some good defensive maneuvers. Izumi, what type of martial arts did / do you practice? I've learned a few Aikedo / Police moves that can get you out of just about any situation. You could probably youtube them if it concerns you so much.
Pebbles: if you want to hurt the guys ribs, punch downward, not into them. Try to catch between bones. The ribs are meant to go in, but not to spread out. When you punch the ribs directly with a straight punch they go in, if you punch at an angle, the ribs spread and causes pain.
Good defense is learning what spots hurt when only using a few pounds of force.
EDIT: Just be careful, don't punch him too hard like that, you might actually break a rib and I know yall are just playing around!
Yeah, I've never had a lot of muscle anyway. I worked out some off and on growing up and never really did any hard labor.
Now after 9 months of HRT, I'm surprised that I still have some upper body strength. I've noticed when it's time for pushups that a lot of girls can't do them yet I can do them just fine still. Also, when we were moving my stuff into my new appt, I was on one side of the couch and 2 guy friends were on the other end. Not sure why that is lol.
It has only been 9 months though.....
Quote from: Alainaluvsu on August 30, 2010, 05:33:54 PM
I've always been fairly weak in my arms. Since I was small growing up (being rather girlish in grade school) I was picked on quite a bit. That also prompted me to learn some good defensive maneuvers. Izumi, what type of martial arts did / do you practice? I've learned a few Aikedo / Police moves that can get you out of just about any situation. You could probably youtube them if it concerns you so much.
Pebbles: if you want to hurt the guys ribs, punch downward, not into them. Try to catch between bones. The ribs are meant to go in, but not to spread out. When you punch the ribs directly with a straight punch they go in, if you punch at an angle, the ribs spread and causes pain.
Good defense is learning what spots hurt when only using a few pounds of force.
EDIT: Just be careful, don't punch him too hard like that, you might actually break a rib and I know yall are just playing around!
I learned Isshinryu karate, aikido and jujitsu.
Oh, you'll be fine! You're trained in a good combo of stuff :)
I benched 180 lbs in college but I struggled with 65 lbs a couple of years ago. THAT was an eye opener.
Quote from: glendagladwitch on August 30, 2010, 08:21:41 PM
I benched 180 lbs in college but I struggled with 65 lbs a couple of years ago. THAT was an eye opener.
Wow.. but I bet you were so happy to see those muscular shoulders turn into something that would look good in a tank :)
Quote from: Izumi on August 30, 2010, 03:30:58 PM
I am sad to say i can no longer brute force open a pickle jar.... I have to put it under running hot water. Or ask the SO to open it for me....
A stereotypical milestone in my life...
Sevan has been opening my jars lately.
:)
women were weaker than man.
This thread is so cute, adorable even. Kinda gives off a warm fuzzy feeling. I'm prolly gonna get mod'ed for all this sudden mushiness.
Somewhat scary. Well men mostly move around things and such and keep on developing muscles unknowingly. For example helping moving things, carrying in heavy grocery shopping bags, and the list does go on. Apparently, carrying the shopping bags in from the car was often asked of me in the past for a while until mother realized that I'm much much more weaker than her. I can hardly lift and hold things that are any more than few pounds (2.5 liter bottle of water...), which worries me. I really am weak and would HRT add to that? Something to keep in mind I guess >.<
I have gotten soooooooooo weak!!!
I never was that strong to begin with but could at least move heavy furniture...
I won't even consider it anymore....
I'm ok with it though.
That's What Men Are For ;P
I regularly carry moderately heavy stuff at work (ladder, 20 lb box of cable, 30 lb toolbag.. toughbook laptop.. sometimes all at once). I can probably kiss that goodbye if I start HRT .. I can barely bench 115! Once HRT starts kicking in I'll probably have trouble just pulling the heavy ladder out of my car. Oh well, maybe ppl will open the door for me more.. lol
Before starting transition, it made me feel a bit nervous. It still does, sometimes.
I'm not very physiclaly active, and I've never been in a real fight in my life, but having strength is convenient, and knowing that I could theoretically fight was what finally gave me the confidence to stare down and intimidate bullies in high school. Transitioning is could get me some negative attention, and I'm not thrilled about the prospect of facing it with reduced fighting ability and running speed. On the other hand, I don't know anyone around here who has been bashed, so I think it won't be a big issue.
On the bright side, family members are less likely to rely on me for moving all of the heavy furniture. Also, I hate feeling bigger and stronger than the women I date, and it was nice to date a lady who was stronger than me for once, a few months back. She was soft butch and worked out a lot, and probably was as strong as me at my prime, so it felt really nice to be held by her and feel safe. Rather than always having to be the "man" being protective of "his" woman, like both of my girlfriends had been before I accepted that I was trans.
A friend of mine i heard recently living in Japan was attacked by a rapist (she is TS too) luckily the caretaker of her apartment complex saved her (she was a little drunk at the time), but she said if he hadn't come things would have ended badly.
When i was living as a man I never worried about stuff like can I safely get from point A to point B or what time is ok to go out. I still do foolish things at times like jog in the late evenning - night and try not to think about it and keep aware as much as possible. The fear is a new experience, when i wasnt afraid of the dark in the city, now i am... I only feel comfortable when my fiance is with me.
Quote from: glendagladwitch on August 30, 2010, 08:21:41 PM
I benched 180 lbs in college but I struggled with 65 lbs a couple of years ago. THAT was an eye opener.
I haven't tried in a while. In high school, my friends made fun of me for only being able to bench 125, barely....because that was the girl's record.
That is very scary, Izumi. There are things I don't worry about atm being pre-hrt like stopping at a gas station in a bad part of town at night, or at an ATM, etc. I should probably get used to carrying a gun or mace or something. It's just another aspect of planning MtFs have to consider when going on hormones.
Here, still have almost all the muscles but no T to back them up. I train regurarly on a bicycle and my performances are slowly but steadily degrading no matter how hard I train. Also I live on a hill and every day I have to climb up there after work. For now, I just use smaller gears, later I might consider moving to a flatter area :)
Not yet having problems with jars though but looking forward to it.
g
I just got some sleepwear and right now, I want some muscle loss.. my muscles are so rounded and toned, it's depressing. They aren't large, but in any girl clothes, they scream "I'M A GUY, I CAN LIFT WHATEVER YOU WANT!!"
Depressing :P
Strength isn't the only thing I am noticing. My skin has gotten so delicate that even a smallest scrape against any surface and blamo, bloody scratch! All my life I was careless about scrapes now as I want my skin to be glowing, wammo, scratch galore, no wonder girls walk like "made of glass", they are!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: alexia elliot on September 01, 2010, 02:19:01 PM
Strength isn't the only thing I am noticing. My skin has gotten so delicate that even a smallest scrape against any surface and blamo, bloody scratch! All my life I was careless about scrapes now as I want my skin to be glowing, wammo, scratch galore, no wonder girls walk like "made of glass", they are!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah I use neosporin constantly. Need to find something for scars too, to prevent them
Quote from: Jerica on September 01, 2010, 02:29:40 PM
Yeah I use neosporin constantly. Need to find something for scars too, to prevent them
Scar Zone works good for scars. Or try Vitamin E. Just pick the capsule and spread the oil on.
Quote from: Jerica on September 01, 2010, 02:29:40 PM
Yeah I use neosporin constantly. Need to find something for scars too, to prevent them
Try Cocoa Butter & Shea Butter, they're both pretty inexpensive, come in huge bottles, and can be found at your local CVS/Walgreens/Rite-Aid/etc. :D Cocoa Butter & Shea Butter also help to make your skin smoother and will prevent cracking and dry skin - so it helps with the delicate skin issues that most bio-girls face.
I've noticed the dry skin particularly on my face and hands... I've also noticed that I bruise allot easier and have to be more careful about how I do things so I don't bump myself
Mederma works really good.
Welcome to the world of being a woman! ;D ;D
I can barely lift 50 lbs of dead weight without dying of exhaustion, and my sister can do something along the lines of 100 or so but it's taken her lots of training to get that far (she's a military cop so she strengthened up really well) and I don't know many women who can lift that much weight. Like I said, I can't lift anything over 50 lbs. It's why I have a few things to help me with protection, but you seem to have a nice set of skills that I lack. You can always look into tasers or pepperspray.
Izumi:
I cannot believe how much strength I've lost because of hormone replacement therapy!
Not meaning to brag, but I was very buff in guy mode even in my early-50s because of working out regularly at L.A. Fitness and watching my diet as well as being lucky with a good genetic build, albeit a slender one.
Eons ago back in Marine Corps bootcamp, I learned all kinds of meant-for-combat martial arts maneuvers. Now, I dare not even try them! Actually, I detest fighting and avoid it at all costs if at all possible. Anyway, yes, like you, I've so lost the strength I once had. It bums me out in some ways. However, it goes with the territory. The other positive aspects of transition make up for it though, thankfully! :D Lacey
Quote from: LukasGabriel on September 01, 2010, 10:48:58 PM
Welcome to the world of being a woman! ;D ;D
I can barely lift 50 lbs of dead weight without dying of exhaustion, and my sister can do something along the lines of 100 or so but it's taken her lots of training to get that far (she's a military cop so she strengthened up really well) and I don't know many women who can lift that much weight. Like I said, I can't lift anything over 50 lbs. It's why I have a few things to help me with protection, but you seem to have a nice set of skills that I lack. You can always look into tasers or pepperspray.
Lukas:
T-therapy may help you there. So much of it depends on the genetics you were born with. If you've got "strength genetics," testosterone may bring it out!
You should have seen this one African-American guy at L.A. Fitness back in Tampa. This guy was a force of nature. Baddest dude in the gym. Thank goodness, he was a nice guy! He did 25-30 reps of sissy squats (hands held out straight in front of you and crossed at the neck level balancing the weight at your wrists) ... with 330 pounds!!! ... easily! Behind-the-neck presses? Oh, 20 reps with about 275 pounds ... no problem! Bench presses? Fifteen-twenty reps with about 475 pounds ... a walk in the park! That's one baaad mamajama!
Power-lifter material!!! The world-class powerlifters are beyond amazing. That's another thread! Doctor Fred Hatfield has squated nearly 1200 pounds! All-time greatest power lifter was this guy named Paul Anderson (I believe) back in the 1940s. We're talking biblical Samson-like strength with this guy. I'm off topic ... sorry.
EVERYBODY ... called this guy Sir ... even the cops! :o Back in 1973, singer Jim Croce had this song called "Bad, bad Leroy Brown." That would be this guy! That was waaayyy before your time. Sorry. Darned, I've been around for a while ... sigh.
Anyway, it'll be interesting to see what testosterone will do for you! Good luck!
Wow! That guy's strong! I don't think I've met any guy like that, but I'd want to watch him lift the weights. I like to watch people lift weights who are really strong because it just boggles the mind. I'd love to be strong...well, stronger. I'd like to be able to lift at least 100 lbs without making funny faces, or funny noises...or cussing. XD I was trying to carry a 50 lb bag of sand up my stairs and the whole time I was cussing like a sailor. That was fun.
Quote from: Izumi on August 31, 2010, 11:37:06 AM
When i was living as a man I never worried about stuff like can I safely get from point A to point B or what time is ok to go out. I still do foolish things at times like jog in the late evenning - night and try not to think about it and keep aware as much as possible. The fear is a new experience, when i wasnt afraid of the dark in the city, now i am... I only feel comfortable when my fiance is with me.
cant wait to feel like this...its so womenly.. =p
The chances to be attacked is so low I am not sure why strength is even an issue for this.
Quote from: Myself on September 02, 2010, 12:42:43 PM
The chances to be attacked is so low I am not sure why strength is even an issue for this.
Its an issue because while the chances of attack are low, having the strength to fight off an attacker gives you peace of mind. Typically people dont attack strong targets, and instead go for weaker ones. If you appear weak it makes you more of a target. It does happen btw, my friend got her purse snatched, shes gg, another friend had attempted rape. Just because your chances are low doesnt mean it wont happen. Without strength there is a worry of what you will do if your overpowered in that situation, a worry that i never had before. We tend to dwell on new experiences for a time....
Also an attack can happen in other ways, domestic violence, date rape, etc... and those are much more common but just as scary to deal with.
Quote from: Janet Lynn on September 01, 2010, 02:34:26 PM
Scar Zone works good for scars. Or try Vitamin E. Just pick the capsule and spread the oil on.
Cool thanks Janet! I'll try those
This thread scares me a bit, but thinking on it, I am not sure why. I am pre-HRT, but there is no way I am fighting anyone off as is. I struggle alot with lifting heavy things, and it isn't like I am not active, I am but, it just doesn't seem to help all that much. I guess once I start HRT I will exercise even more, but I already put a fair bit into it and don't see much in the way of strength or muscle size (for that one I am thankful), even with heavier weights and fewer reps it doesn't seem to make that much of an impact on strength only on my weight, appearance, and stamina.
I have a .45 so I suppose as long as I am strong enough to deal with the recoil I will have some peace of mind. Still If I wanted to carry it with me everywhere I think I would have to get something smaller... But, luckily I don't usually feel scared unless I am doing something stupid like walking alone at night, so hopefully I can avoid fear through good common sense.
oh come on, we're now talking about guns here? I wouldn't feel safe with a .45, on the contrary, I'd be shaking all day to have something constantly in arm's reach which can actually KILL people. If you have a gun you're going to use it someday.
Attackers usually always have the upper hand because they have the determination and they're prepared for everything and sometimes, they're organized (ie. don't come alone). I couldn't defend myself even if I had all the muscles I used to have. I'm a good runner tough :) Having muscles won't save you from anything, these situations rarely get to the point when you actually have to measure up your strength against someone other's. They wanna take my purse? Take it. Attempted rape? Those don't happen in broad daylight on busy streets.
As was said many times before, avoidance and prevention is always the best solution.
And to qoute something from the Pythons: "-Are you a pacifist? -No sir, I'm a coward." :) Well I'm both a pacifist AND a coward and I'm proud of it :)
g
I don't care so much about losing strength as losing muscle mass. I can't wait to lose the muscle. My arms and shoulders are too veiny and muscular. Not that I'm "buff" really, I just have too much of a masculine body. I don't live in a particularly dangerous city. However, as Warren Farrell wrote, "Men's weakness is their facade of strength, and women's strength is their facade of weakness." I think he hit the nail on the head with that. Also, statistically speaking, men are almost twice as likely to be victims of a violent crime as women, and that's even when including rape figures. Men are also three times as likely to be murdered as women. The difference, though, is that our society cares more when women are victims of violent crimes. Of course, those of us who are not 100% passable are far more likely to be victims of a violent crime than "bio-women."
I have lost about 75% of my muscle mass. I used to have bulky arms, and a 6 pack. Now, I have skinny arms, no muscles and I cant even open up a jar of Jam! I know exactly how you feel, however I am not too worried, because I do know martial arts, even though I cannot use it very well, due to the loss of my strength, in some cases, it's not a matter of strength, hence why it is called martial "arts" everything matters on technique. If you are worried or scared about your strength and being able to protect yourself, then learn martial arts.
This thread made me laugh :laugh: I've been on HRT for going on 6 months now, and I am definitely noticing a sharp decline in strength. My wrists are noticeably (to me) slimmer, and my upper arms are smaller. I've spent the better part of my working life having to lift move and carry heavy objects, so I have always been able to lift move and carry things that "average" people would marvel at "how can someone as tiny as you lift so much?"
Now, however, I am beginning to find that things I once lifted with relative ease are getting heavier. I struggle more trying to move things. I'm really fascinated by it, to be honest. I actually love every part of the feminization process, even the occasional bitchiness ;)
I too, have some martial arts training, having gotten to blue belt in American Kenpo Karate, and because of that, I have a pretty forceful kick, and my elbows can do some damage too ;) I'm sure it's not as it once was, but I don't know of many people that could shrug off an elbow to the face, or a strong front kick to the midsection.... of course, if they are still standing after that the claws come out... hahaha.
I never was a muscle man, but over the years I have lost most of my muscle strength due to low T - to the point that I can barely open some merchant doors. I don't try to lift anything over 25 pounds because of my back.
I used to carry a gun for a living and had to constantly be ready for possible attack, but I've found that I've become more soft, especially since questioning my gender. I feel more vulnerable, especially around strange men. I try to be very aware of my surroundings. Its a different feeling knowing that a man could easily overpower me.
I headed up to campus to study up on my Japanese today and it was the first time all summer that I had lugged around my backpack with my laptop and several books inside. I had forgotten how heavy it is. I immediately thought, "Oh no, losing some of my strength is going to make it more difficult to lug this stupid thing around." Haha. That's really the only heavy lifting I do anymore. I really can't wait, though. I'm not too worried about being attacked and I don't believe in negatively stereotyping all men as dangerous simply because a minority are. I wouldn't negatively stereotype all black people as dangerous, so why would I do that to men? I don't agree with our society's acceptance and promotion of misandry. Then again, like I said before, I don't live in a particularly dangerous town. At least, not compared to wear I used to live, anyway.