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Should I lose weight before starting HRT?

Started by Chloe_sc, June 29, 2017, 12:43:31 PM

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Chloe_sc

There are planned parenthood-informed clinics all around me that I can get set up on hrt hopefully. But my question is should I lose weight before I start? I'm currently unhappy with my weight, especially my body-dysphoria. I'm 23 176 pounds. I'm not terribly muscular but still have quite a bit of muscle- thighs and calves mostly. Don't really have big arms or shoulders. I've seen a lot of comments and posts, mostly from ->-bleeped-<-, about how much harder it gets to lose weight on hrt. I've already started to lose some by working out everyday, and my new diet. Just don't want to be big transitioning and end up getting bigger :/
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RobynTx

Don't know about the weight but getting in good habits of exercising and eating healthy can and should be done early. 


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elkie-t

Getting rid of male belly might be a good idea, but muscles will be gone faster without T


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Devlyn

I assume you're MTF? All the fat that's on you now is deposited in male patterns. After HRT new fat will accumulate in female patterns. With that in mind, I'd want to get rid of as much fat as possible before starting HRT.

Hugs, Devlyn
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Janes Groove

It's weird but transitioning has actually helped me lose weight,  eat healthier and maintain a healthy weight.  I'm motivated for the first time in my life to actually care about my appearance.

Also, since I am now hormonally female I don't need as many calories and when I become mindful of this I actually don't have a desire to eat as much.

So yeah, if that's all that's holding you back I would recommend starting HRT like yesterday.


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bobbisue

 My experience has been much the same as Jane Emily my appitite is much lower now and i get full on much smaller portions this is the opposite to what I expected but as my daughter said why start being normal now I have lost 15 pounds since starting HRT june 15th
    ymmv

  bobbisue :)
[ gotta be me everyone else is taken ]
started HRT june 16 2017              
Out to all my family Oct 21 2017 no rejections
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AlyssaJ

I ended up losing 22 pounds after I started HRT.  I'm down to a weight right now that is actually a little lower than I'd like and believe it or not I'm having trouble putting on weight.  My plan originally was to get to a low weight and then once I knew my hormone levels had reached their targets, start putting some back on so the fat added would then fall in the right places.  So far, it's not working out that way :)   

I know there's women all over this board and in the world in general who would kill to have my problem :)

Anyway, I bring up my experience because you can't be sure what the hormones will do.  Those first 10 pounds I lost were without trying.  After that it was a concerted effort but still easy.  But as someone earlier mentioned, now is always the right time to lose some weight and start eating healthier.  A better diet will help your skin, make you feel better and equip your body to handle that second puberty.
"I want to put myself out there, I want to make connections, I want to learn and if someone can get something out of my experience, I'm OK with that, too." - Laura Jane Grace

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Sarah77

Im 10kg overweight, so 15kg might help me get a more feminine figure on hormones.

I'm afraid my dream of being a dainty little thing will never happen.
Unfortunately dysphoria leads to depression which leads to eating sweets
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Jennagirl

I would not let your weight prevent you from starting hrt. I have been waiting 2 years to lose those last 10lbs. Silly because that time is lost and I could be 2 years into my journey.


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tgirlamg

I also dropped weight from HRT... about 25-30lbs ...I didn't have much fat though, it was mostly chest, arm and back muscle from surfing a lot for many years... I'm in the upper 130s now

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment" ... Ralph Waldo Emerson 🌸

"The individual has always had to struggle from being overwhelmed by the tribe... But, no price is too high for the privilege of owning yourself" ... Rudyard Kipling 🌸

Let go of the things that no longer serve you... Let go of the pretense of the false persona, it is not you... Let go of the armor that you have worn for a lifetime, to serve the expectations of others and, to protect the woman inside... She needs protection no longer.... She is tired of hiding and more courageous than you know... Let her prove that to you....Let her step out of the dark and feel the light upon her face.... amg🌸

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jentay1367

You failed to mention your height, Chloe.
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Sinclair

Yes. Your body fat has been distributed in a male pattern. Lose as much as you can, and then under HRT it will be redistributed to your breasts, thighs, butt, etc. I have lost about 15 pounds (muscle) and most of the fat is going to the right places. My butt looks so good in skinny jeans now!  ;D
I love dresses!!
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KageNiko

I've been wondering about this too, lately. I've put on a lot of weight around my tummy area that I'm unhappy with. I used to be happy at 140 lbs 5'9", but now I'm around 150-155 with a belly that makes me feel fat. It's probably because I've become more comfortable drinking alcohol. I think I'll cut that out of my diet and see how it helps.
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Sinclair

Quote from: KageNiko on July 03, 2017, 04:31:31 PM
I've been wondering about this too, lately. I've put on a lot of weight around my tummy area that I'm unhappy with. I used to be happy at 140 lbs 5'9", but now I'm around 150-155 with a belly that makes me feel fat. It's probably because I've become more comfortable drinking alcohol. I think I'll cut that out of my diet and see how it helps.

Alcohol is interesting since in cis males it will put fat in you breasts, butt, and thighs, but also grow that belly, which cancels out all of the other stuff. Best bet is to lose weight by stopping drinking, get rid of as much body fat as you can, and then start HRT and watch the magic. :)
I love dresses!!
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eyesk8rboi

I don't know how it works with MTF's but increased estrogen in biological females can cause weight gain or more so make it harder to lose weight...I'm pretty sure it works that way in biological men as well...

My ex boyfriend and I used to do weight training and I HATE protein powder, so I always put it in chocolate milk...In order to cut out some of the unhealthiness of that I switched to chocolate soy milk. He wouldn't even touch it and when I asked he told me that soy could boost estrogen and that would hinder my weight loss.

Long story short.....Maybe a good idea?
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:icon_arrow:Started counseling on June 11th, 2017
:icon_arrow:Received HRT Letter on July 2nd, 2017
:icon_arrow:HRT Consultation with Doctor on July 16th, 2017







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Jessica_Rose

I have lost about 10 pounds since I started HRT in late March 2017. I did not realize the dangly bits would shrink that much!

In all seriousness, starting my journey made me more aware of my health. I changed my diet a bit, significantly reduced the amount of sodas I drink, and I try not to eat dessert too often. Now whenever I do have desert I think about the saying 'a moment on the lips, forever on the hips' and I really hope that is true! The changes are slow, but they are happening.
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Sinclair

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on July 03, 2017, 09:21:51 PM
I have lost about 10 pounds since I started HRT in late March 2017. I did not realize the dangly bits would shrink that much!

In all seriousness, starting my journey made me more aware of my health. I changed my diet a bit, significantly reduced the amount of sodas I drink, and I try not to eat dessert too often. Now whenever I do have desert I think about the saying 'a moment on the lips, forever on the hips' and I really hope that is true! The changes are slow, but they are happening.

This is a very interesting topic and I wonder if any research has been done on this.

My take is this, before HRT MtF should shed as much fat as possible as it's been directed in an unflattering way for cis males. However, once on HRT, you sorta need the fat cells to be redistributed in a female pattern. Not saying you should eat unhealthy, but a diet that includes a little fat may help shape your desired feminine figure. I have a pretty healthy diet, but, I do let some fat into my diet as I want that distributed in a female pattern. In fact, I do on occasion McDonald's double cheese burgers and fries. The amazing thing is a little fat under HRT goes pretty much right where you want it. It's a balance, but if you want to fill out your butt and thighs, you need some fat to be distributed there. Not too much, because cis females get bellies just like cis males. But, I have noticed that my hips have filled in very nicely. So, bottom line for me, once on HRT I want some fat in my diet to be distributed in a female pattern, but not too much to add a belly issue, etc.
I love dresses!!
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Charlie Nicki

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 29, 2017, 03:23:12 PM
I assume you're MTF? All the fat that's on you now is deposited in male patterns. After HRT new fat will accumulate in female patterns. With that in mind, I'd want to get rid of as much fat as possible before starting HRT.

Hugs, Devlyn

That's what I thought and did. I've lost around 7kg and it's super noticeable, the other day I wore one of my female friend's skirts and she's so tiny (I'm still presenting as male so this was such a win for me). So I think losing all the male pattern weight is a good idea. It is kinda difficult feeling like I look terrible (for a man) and my clothes don't fit anymore...But I'll have to get use to the feeling until I make my social transition.
Latina :) I speak Spanish, English and a bit of Portuguese.
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Cheaney

I'm trying to lose before I start hrt. My problem is I ate(and often times a lot) to cope with all of the issues(good or bad) in my life. So I'm not changing what I eat currently but I am changing how much I eat. No more pop and beer, just water and unsweet tea. We'll see how far that takes me for now.
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Charlie Nicki

Quote from: VickieBlue on July 05, 2017, 11:05:48 AM
I'm trying to lose before I start hrt. My problem is I ate(and often times a lot) to cope with all of the issues(good or bad) in my life. So I'm not changing what I eat currently but I am changing how much I eat. No more pop and beer, just water and unsweet tea. We'll see how far that takes me for now.

In my experience sugar is what makes people gain weight the most so if you cut out the sweets and start taking and drinking "diet-" everything you'll see a difference. I for one love Coca Cola so Diet Coke is my go to drink. I've also managed to find sugar-free chocolate, etc...which I try not to eat much anyway cuz it still has a lot of calories but if you get the cravings for candy there's that option.
Latina :) I speak Spanish, English and a bit of Portuguese.
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