I'm kind of a big-ish build and I'm 18, I was wondering how I would go about trying to get a more "feminine" body.

I have that same issue, hun, have all of my life.  As far as I know, at least from a clothing standpoint, I think shapewear would work to a degree, someone correct me if i'm wrong in that.  I know i've been wanting to try that, but i'm afraid if I start working out before i'm on HRT, i'll just bulk up in muscle while i'm trying to control my shape with it and it'll all look wonky.

Quote from: Key on February 14, 2011, 11:45:25 AM
I have that same issue, hun, have all of my life.  As far as I know, at least from a clothing standpoint, I think shapewear would work to a degree, someone correct me if i'm wrong in that.  I know i've been wanting to try that, but i'm afraid if I start working out before i'm on HRT, i'll just bulk up in muscle while i'm trying to control my shape with it and it'll all look wonky.

I wanted to preferbly change my body, if clothing helps but I wanted a mre permanent solution, just wondering if it would help with my type of build though.

Well, the theory behind shapewear is that it's supposed to change the body by compression, making your body re-allocate fat and muscle to fit the shape you press it into.  I think under HRT (though don't quote me) that would have better results, though it should work for anyone really.  You DO have to wear it a lot though, pretty much as underwear, or sleepwear.  As a note, it's often used on post-pregnancy women to help them regain their shape.

Quote from: Key on February 14, 2011, 01:16:29 PM
Well, the theory behind shapewear is that it's supposed to change the body by compression, making your body re-allocate fat and muscle to fit the shape you press it into.  I think under HRT (though don't quote me) that would have better results, though it should work for anyone really.  You DO have to wear it a lot though, pretty much as underwear, or sleepwear.  As a note, it's often used on post-pregnancy women to help them regain their shape.

Well I'll have to look up on that too, not being happy about my body and want to change it, I'm thinking I may talk to my GP.

There's not really anything you can do to change the skeletal shape of your body...even at 18 though you're still growing, you're almost full grown and bone doesn't really ungrow. The good news is that you're young enough that if you started HRT in the next year or so, you may find your hips would grow into  more feminine shape. However things like shoulders, rib cage etc won't change.

You will lose muscle mass and find fat will redistribute on HRT, so you will see some changes, they just won't be dramatic i.e. you won't wake up one morning with a perfectly feminine body.

Hop on a bicycle and ride twenty miles a week to start.

Stretch in the morning, try out yoga or pilates.

Stop using your arms and showing off. I went through this weird "If you can perform this feat of strength, you will one day be a woman" phase. So totally counterproductive.

Limit your calories to 1700 per day. Eating a little throughout the day raises your metabolism. Eat breakfast, eat the largest meal in the middle of the day, don't eat anything more three hours before you go to sleep. Drink tea or water instead of soda (I don't take my own advice there). Vitamins and antioxidants are your friends. Consult your doctor and a dietitian to see if a higher carb/fat diet is doable.

I lost forty pounds and my a** is nice! My legs are absolutely to die for from the bike riding. Pilates lengthens the body and improves flexibility as well as posture. My body is a furnace from two plus years of concerted effort. I was a lazy unhealthy blob while resigned to live as a man.

I know a lot of people will say, especially if your older, your bones wont change, etc. etc.. thats not true, even martial artists can build up bone structure with time practice and effort.  I have achieved a female body being very determined and working hard at it.  I can go to the beach in a bikini and even though i am pre-op and only 2 years into HRT, no one looks or thinks i am male, i also started HRT at 31, not 18.  Your still growing, so your results maybe better.

Let me show you what i started with:

http://www.hawaiibd.com/U2.jpg

Now my body looks more like this:

http://www.hawaiibd.com/A2.jpg 
and that picture was taken about almost a year ago, HRT and continuing doing what i was doing has improved me even more since then.


Here is what i did:  Since i was overweight, exercise 5x a week, 1 hour sessions and diet.  Once i got my weight down, i started to focus my exercises on feminine secondary sex characteristics.. abs, obliques, thighs, legs, butt, and hips.    Now i do about 150 crunches per workout, and 60-80 obliques, depending on the weight, i also use machines at the gym for inner and outer thighs as well as scissor workouts.  Basically focus on the lower half of your body so you can add fat and muscle to those areas.  My hips are really starting to come out after i did those exercises. 

Also, corset training.  yeah it sucks but it works if you do it long term.   I got a corset with metal ribbing and wore it for at least 14+ hours a day, now i cut it down to about 12 hours... but i lost about 8 inches off my waist since i started, and now have a 29-30 inch waist from a 38 before.

So yeah there are a lot you can do with soft tissues and running will increase bone on your legs as they take more shocks from the weight of your body.  That will push the muscle and fat farther giving you a more feminine shape, but its not instant its gradual and works with HRT, so dont miss your HRT.

Oh wow i can see the amazing changes! You look absolutly great.

If you are afraid to work out to burn fat in the fear you will gain muscles
1) There are plenty of sweaty excercise you can do that have very little effect on muscle tone that still burn fat/calories.  Watch your diet too! Also, strong abs and legs look good on both genders, just avoid upper body toning, and also be careful if you do things like crunches.  I accidentally was working out my neck muscles instead of abs :C
2) You lose muscle mass on HRT, and will gain more fat. And muscles will always deteriorate if you do not use them! Use that to your advantage!

Quote from: MarinaM on February 14, 2011, 03:16:27 PM
Hop on a bicycle and ride twenty miles a week to start.

I lost forty pounds and my a** is nice! My legs are absolutely to die for from the bike riding. Pilates lengthens the body and improves flexibility as well as posture. My body is a furnace from two plus years of concerted effort. I was a lazy unhealthy blob while resigned to live as a man.

I agree cycling = totally awesome, I've visited so many beautiful, historical and adventurous part of my home town.
Old chalk mines in ivy covered woodlands,
Paleolithic settlement, people lived here where three rivers meet and built a Woodhedge,
Our 10th Century Norman Castle and Cathedral,
So many utterly beautiful and if one wants challenging terrains, flooded marshland, heathland in winter covered in mist and ice crystals.
Cycling is an absolute pleasure for me, and everything is even better when done with other people, though you have to be willing to do it alone as a 'serious' exercise.

I'm going to start yoga, I am unable to meditate in traditional buddhist way, I really want to explore buddhism and yoga is a perfect way to do this.