Dude ive gotten so weak!

I used to be able to open bottles no-problem, but ever since I started taking estrogen (which decreases your muscle mass) I reeeaaalllly have to struggle to get open a gatorade bottle.

Sooner or later I'm going to have to start asking my little brother to open it x"P

I know this was sposta happen but I don't know how bad this muscle mass decrease is gunna get. And if it does I hope it slims down my left arm, lol.

Quote from: Gracie FAISE on June 03, 2008, 02:13:16 AM
Dude ive gotten so weak!

I used to be able to open bottles no-problem, but ever since I started taking estrogen (which decreases your muscle mass) I reeeaaalllly have to struggle to get open a gatorade bottle.

Sooner or later I'm going to have to start asking my little brother to open it x"P

I know this was sposta happen but I don't know how bad this muscle mass decrease is gunna get. And if it does I hope it slims down my left arm, lol.

Hi, Gracie,

I know that estrogen decreases muscle mass but it sounds to me that it's too much too soon.  May I ask how long you have been on estrogen?  I trust that your HRT is supervised by a doctor.  Are you eating well?  Sometimes in our desire meet our own expectations of a female appearance we let dieting take precedence over eating properly.

Just some thoughts, maybe right, maybe not.

Wing Walker

ive been taking on for 2 and a half months

totally supervised by a doc

and I don't diet at all :"0 I ate a whole pizza last night, matter-o-fact

I been 8 years full time and on HRT for that same period of time. I know I lost quite a lot of muscle mass but I was also anorexic for some years before I started on HRT. My normal weight should be around 125 lbs I was weighing at 85lbs when I first met Wing Walker, and when she saw me in person for the first time i remember her referring me as being skinny as 6 o'clock. I went on a protein drink supplement and began to eat some better and gained weight but the muscle loss was permanent. That's ok though I have Wing Walker to open jars and whatever other containers for me. Of course in return I give her lots of hugs during the day, actually just about any time I feel the notion to do so through the day, you see, she's my hero. 

I like being small, actually I am shorter then most women here.

Cindy

O.O ... what if you have almost no mucsles? i can't afford to get any skinnyer- wouldn't be healthy. LOL.

Hi Eloise, hon, you are smart, losing muscle tone through not eating (anorexia) is not the way to have a feminine appearance.  When I started my transition I hated myself, who I was and what i looked like, and I was so eager to change it quickly that I became anorexic.  I lost weigh and bottomed-out at 85 pounds. 

Starvation is not the way to get to where you want to be.  Let the estrogen do its work.  It may well sharpen your appetite because all of those feminine curves are made of *something!*

When you don't feed your body it does lose fat but when the fat is gone it then attacks muscle fibers and the woman you were working to be will look like a survivor.

Cindy

awh... *huggles* Cindy. no, i know- being thin comes a long way from my dad's side of the family... that, and i also didn't do sports during school, is why i don't have bulky muscles. (except a bit from the time i was on crutches. LOL)
and don't worry, I'm eating quite healthy plus taking vitamins. I have to, because of my low blood pressure etc. I'm walking alot every day (not jogging), i i get my exercise also.

I'm not putting my health at risk- as far as I'm concerned.

thanks for worrying Cindy. Hehe.
*huggles*
*huggles*
*huggles*

heh, i remember having to concede in my wrestling match with a jar once and ask my housemate XD
Men have uses sometimes... XD
R >

Quote from: Gracie FAISE on June 03, 2008, 02:13:16 AM
Dude ive gotten so weak!

LOL, congratulations! Well sorta, lol...

I'm jealous, as even after 19 months of HRT I don't think I've lost much strength really. I *look* like a weakling (thin arms and all) lol, but still I've always been weirdly stronger than I appear.

On the other hand, I may not have noticed it much if it changed gradually over this many months...

~Kate~

is that a BAD thing?

you think its fun or more female being weak? XD

i hate being weak tbh... i want to be able to do what i used to... now? no chance.
R >

Quote from: Rachael on June 03, 2008, 09:06:24 AM
is that a BAD thing?

In practical terms, no...

But in *experiential* terms, yes. Part of the "experience" of growing up female is generally being physically weaker than most males. It's kinda like how still having a penis bothers me: no one else knows it's there, but *I* do. I know I still have that oh-so-male trait, that "threat" as it were. Combine the two (penis and strength), and I KNOW that I'm not "vulnerable" physically. I haven't been molded by that consideration as women are, I don't have to deal with that fear.

And to me, that's not "fair" of me. I'm cheating, keeping male "advantages" while living as a female... which for me makes it a less authentic experience.

~Kate~

Quote from: Gracie FAISE on June 03, 2008, 02:13:16 AM
Dude ive gotten so weak!

I used to be able to open bottles no-problem, but ever since I started taking estrogen (which decreases your muscle mass) I reeeaaalllly have to struggle to get open a gatorade bottle.

Sooner or later I'm going to have to start asking my little brother to open it x"P

I know this was sposta happen but I don't know how bad this muscle mass decrease is gunna get. And if it does I hope it slims down my left arm, lol.

That can't be normal,... Estrogen decreases muscle mass, true, but not that much :O If you're having more trouble than a 90 year old with arthritis opening a simple gatorade bottle, you might have other health issues. Are you a vegetarian? Are you getting your Iron? Protein? Vitamins?

I've been on HRT for 6-7 years and I have no trouble with bottles or items under 50 pounds :-/

Posted on: June 03, 2008, 09:18:20 AM

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Quote from: Kate on June 03, 2008, 09:17:11 AM

Quote from: Rachael on June 03, 2008, 09:06:24 AM
is that a BAD thing?

In practical terms, no...

But in *experiential* terms, yes. Part of the "experience" of growing up female is generally being physically weaker than most males. It's kinda like how still having a penis bothers me: no one else knows it's there, but *I* do. I know I still have that oh-so-male trait, that "threat" as it were. Combine the two (penis and strength), and I KNOW that I'm not "vulnerable" physically. I haven't been molded by that consideration as women are, I don't have to deal with that fear.

Well ok, most other women are weaker than you, but honestly, that's what guns are for, I figure that my physical weakness is made up for by my ability to blow people's brains out, though if I get pinned that may be difficult, but so long as I can get an arm free, a knife is always within reach on my person.

Quote from: Kirsa on June 03, 2008, 09:27:01 AM
Well ok, most other women are weaker than you, but honestly, that's what guns are for, I figure that my physical weakness is made up for by my ability to blow people's brains out, though if I get pinned that may be difficult, but so long as I can get an arm free, a knife is always within reach on my person.

LOL, I feel guilty when I just "weed" a garden (weeds, flowers, it's all the same to me). I catch spiders and moths in the house and set them free on the patio. I flip beetles upright in the lunchroom when they get stuck on their back, their little legs wiggling in the air so pitifully. I make the office guys catch mice in the office and let them loose across the road.

Hey... maybe I AM weak! Well, in an "intent" kinda way, lol...

~Kate~

Quote from: Kate on June 03, 2008, 09:34:28 AM

Quote from: Kirsa on June 03, 2008, 09:27:01 AM
Well ok, most other women are weaker than you, but honestly, that's what guns are for, I figure that my physical weakness is made up for by my ability to blow people's brains out, though if I get pinned that may be difficult, but so long as I can get an arm free, a knife is always within reach on my person.

LOL, I feel guilty when I just "weed" a garden (weeds, flowers, it's all the same to me). I catch spiders and moths in the house and set them free on the patio. I flip beetles upright in the lunchroom when they get stuck on their back, their little legs wiggling in the air so pitifully. I make the office guys catch mice in the office and let them loose across the road.

Hey... maybe I AM weak! Well, in an "intent" kinda way, lol...

~Kate~

Hmm ok, I just shoot weeds, or swing a machete at them. What kind of office do you work in? It sounds like a wildlife sanctuary.

. Are you a vegetarian? Are you getting your Iron? Protein? Vitamins?

  :-/

Posted on: June 03, 2008, 09:18:20 AM

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Quote from: Kate on June 03, 2008, 09:17:11 AM
What would being vegeterian have to do with it? I`m vegan and built like a stone mason.

It took a while before I lost strength (I've been on HRT for 2 1/2 years) but I certainly can feel it now. I usually need a towel to help open cranberry juice bottles, it wasn't like that six months ago.

I had to build a piece of pre-fab furniture for my mother a few days back and I was sore all over for two days after.

Quote from: almost,angie on June 03, 2008, 11:40:40 AM


. Are you a vegetarian? Are you getting your Iron? Protein? Vitamins?

  :-/

Posted on: June 03, 2008, 09:18:20 AM

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Quote from: Kate on June 03, 2008, 09:17:11 AM
What would being vegeterian have to do with it? I`m vegan and built like a stone mason.

Your quoting of someone else who's comment was not even made in this thread or anywhere I am aware of is so puzzling I'm not even going to try to formulate an answer.

EDIT: My gods, these quote strings are so screwed up.

QuoteLOL, I feel guilty when I just "weed" a garden (weeds, flowers, it's all the same to me). I catch spiders and moths in the house and set them free on the patio. I flip beetles upright in the lunchroom when they get stuck on their back, their little legs wiggling in the air so pitifully. I make the office guys catch mice in the office and let them loose across the road.

Hey... maybe I AM weak! Well, in an "intent" kinda way, lol...

~Kate~

Same here Kate, I can't stand to see living things hurt or die unnecessarily. If that makes me weak so be it. As far as
strength loss, I've not noticed any change after four months but my workouts have gotten more intense so maybe
it's use it or lose it kinda thing.

Amanda

I've lost allot of muscle mass... but that was due to illness... Seriously, my arms are about half the thickness they used to be... But I'm still pretty strong because I keep my drumming and workouts up.

You should be careful if your having rapid muscle mass/strength loss and see a doctor if it persists...

I can't open nail polish bottles like i used too. The lady that does my toes used to have me open the nail polish before HRT. Now she ask someone else to do it. Giggles

I have to be careful at work. I'm a girl Boat Mechanic and they almost dropped a pump on me one day lowering it through the Hatch. Needless to say i held on for a sec and then that pump hit the deck. I knew right then and there i could not catch it.

But, that was after six months on HRT.

I still excercise by playing racquetball.