Hrunter

(Mandatory Expression of frustration towards hormone profiles being labelled Male and Female)

I am not a doctor, but as far as I understand:

If said hormones are Testosterone, then compare to before, to a degree, yes.

If you're on Testosterone blockers and Estrogen/Progesterone, potentially comparatively harder.

 

When your Testosterone levels are in the healthy male range, your metabolism goes up.  Healthy serum levels for the Estrogen, Progesterone & Testosterone levels for a female lowers (Comparatively) metabolism.

 

Once you blood work is within the target healthy ranges, it is safe to use the matching number set in nutritional calculations (nutrition requirements, daily minimum intake, base metabolic rate).

 

Obviously, eating well and exercise is necessary for putting on muscle.  Appetite, immune system and onset of digestive illnesses changes, if you experience any, can affect these. For example, people taking Testosterone can develop diabetes. (though that apparently depends on genetics and one's pancreatic health before starting.) I am not familiar enough with changes towards an Estrogen dominant profile to point out any examples here, tbh.

 

You mentioned redistribution of body fat & muscle as well.  This can work in or against one's favour, depending on your fitness goals.  Upper body strength *can* become easier to build when switching to Testosterone dominance.  Changes in muscle and fat distribution around the hips when switching to Estrogen dominance also affects some people; I've been told that a portion of people get pain at first, lose some muscle but have little trouble building it back after their body adjusts.

TBH, Quinnicus, that's a really broad topic.  Didja have any specific questions?  I understand not wanting to publicly discuss what transition goals you have on a forum, but that can also affect the information you may need.

 

For the most part, the information is the same.  Social aspects of transition have a minimal effect on the info; at most, local laws affecting how you access health related services come in to play.

Binding, if a thing, can affect your breathing.  While not recommended while exercising, how you manage binding (if applicable) is up to you - some people find NOT binding prevents them from engaging and others the complete opposite.  On an emergency prevention level, if you are binding, be aware of your breathing, how it affects your activities and increases risk for rib injury and pneumonia (especially if you have chronic respiratory illnesses).  Your may find yourself winded more easily while exercising, or your reps initially limited, if your breathing is heavily affected.

 

If your transition involves medical interventions, that's where the majority of things change up.

Hormones play a big role in metabolism, so depending on if and how this is addressed, your energy expenditure and nutritional requiremental change.  How much and when depends on your serum hormone levels and uptake of said hormones.  The uptake depends on your individual body chemistry, the method of delivery (Transdermal patch or cream vs intramuscular injection vs other options I have yet to hear of) the dose and the timing.  To be clear, the protocols for starting hormones does not immediately boost your hormone levels to a certain point, this is not only dangerous, but completely dependant on your body's ability to absorb and process the hormones.

 

Fitness aspects right around the time of surgery is also highly dependent on your specific health and any reasonable surgeon will go over what you need to do, before and how long after to avoid activity and what types.  Keep in mind that weight can change rapidly after surgery, because of the effects of anesthetics and your body's response to significant physiological changes.  If you are on hormones and your surgeon requires you to stop, see if you can get some blood work done just before the surgery to test your serum hormone levels - while it is unlikely that you will dip out of steady state/safe hormone levels, having an idea of where you are benefits some folks.

It's been about 2 1/3 years since I last posted - heck, since I'very checked the forums - on NF. (Apologies to friends for going into hiding!)

While my health and fitness have fluctuated quite a bit, I can proudly say that with the many lessons learned from and alongside you wonderful folks that I've managed to maintain my weight over that period of time! (losing was a frequent goal)

However, I have since made some massive progress with my Epic Quest.

As some of you know, I am Transgender. Starting my transition (on a physical/medical scale) required a lot of focus on changing my health for the better. Today I proudly stand before you (digitally) not only healthier in many aspects, but further along in my transition that I ever imagined living to see.

In the meantime, I just want to say thank you to Steve, Staci, Catspaw(?), Loren, the Adventurer's guild and pretty much everyone and anyone that's helped encourage me at one point or another towards becoming healthier and happier!

 

(Attached pic is Approx joining NF vs Now)

Fort McMurray, anyone?

Week 5 Report

Went through a period of 'really not good' this week. Made it t o and through all my emergency appointments.

The Dr called it on my tapering off of my one med. I made it down to a quarter of the dose I'd been on for years, before he told me its time to cold turkey.

On the pain end of things, I think the withdrawal had a HUGE effect on it. I had started Percocet to take the edge off it. Not superb to do when dealing with withdrawal, but, it held me through to the appointments.

The current plan:

*Continue muscle treatment without Percocet

*Go to morning skills group until my next one-on-one therapy appointment. Consult with therapist about taking a more skills based approach.

*Cold turkey Med 1, increase dose of Med 2.

*Track signs of depression.

Week 3? 4? Rebel report

Managed to get my work schedule hammered out. Thankfully, I have two days off in a row. I've developed a major neck strain over the past week, so two days is a good amount of time to work out the knots.

Stress aggravated, guaranteed.

Otherwise, I'm doing okay. Not 100 percent on cooking, moving away drom written tracking, but certainly more effective than before.

Gotta keep it up.

Alright. Back on track. The withdrawal and situations added up to a bit much, but I developed a plan with the emerge Dr. & Crisis nurse.

While I'm disappointed that I did not manage my stress very well, I am proud of how I acknowledged and responded to being in distress.

Round 2: FIGHT!

[bad day, lots of Trans*phobia. Edited for excessive angst.]

Nope, I didn't. But I've learned that Tylenol can a bit help with the pain.

Getting my papers together, excited about getting this submitted, finally!

ALSO. Tomorrow, I'm headed to the registry. If they take my 'we filed your fingerprints and destroyed them' letter from the RCMP, then I will have all my paperwork (and money for fees) for my name change! *Milestone woot!*

It's going good. A little warmth from the shower, a little bit of stretching - even simply while standing - made a difference.

The current bump in the challenge, is the stuff the Dr. warned me about. Painful, nauseating, light sensitive headaches. I'm going to push myself at least one more day before taking a remedial dose. It's no ealk in the park, but I can do this.

Yeah? I usually lay/sit down after work with my heating pad.

Stretching would work to strengthen the area instead, I imagine. Good call!

Time to browse Yoga journal! :3

Wow! Those 3 Cs are tough ones!

Crush those cursed creatures!

May they dread the times they've tread so close to your domain!

Brave one, a great boon you'll find as you willfully abstain; No power over you shall these beasts hold again!

Hey LegoLady!

I'm not in your shoes, but can understand how not feeling 100 percent oneself/right in one's skin/at one's best can be.

Your goals look solid! Is this your first time working with tracking? I learned that it can be tough for some. If that's the case, perhaps we could brainstorm some options?

Getting out and meeting people can break up the blues, so the social meet up goal is rocking! Are there any hobbies/pass times you enjoy that are fun to do with others? I have trouble finding things to do with others that doesn't involve eating

Aha indeed!

Also, I think I should invest in physio therapy before jumping in to that 'walk more' idea. I stood up after posting, to have my sciatic nerve give me a zinger.

Oooh hey!

I wound up making a duplicate post.

I've been using the other thread. The address...

http://nerdfitnessrebellion.com/index.php?/topic/34564-hrunters-pre-t-stabilizing-challenge/

Haha pretty confused as to how tapatalk works, but here goes!

Today was a long shift at work! (Okay, I know 8.5 is a regular thing for some, but its long for me.) I think I'm doing pretty solid; 8.5 hours, 3000+ steps! If it wasn't mostly making the place look awesome, I think I'd rack up more. BUT! A great start.

Maybe a goal for a future quest could be to do 3500+ in less than 8.5h, per day.

I wonder how far that is from my house/how many times around the block?

Cooked a good breakfast today. Missed out on the garlic though haha.

Only 1 coffee, 1 cookie all day.

All that's left is taking my meds and resting up for tomorrow!

._. Did not cook today. Doing better with hydration, but that's not part of my quest.

I will catch up on my questing, by cooking twice tomorrow; I have a shorter shift tomorrow, so I am less likely to crash as I did today.

I'm nervous about my work schedule - I'm supposed to be at 15-25 hours per week. I am scheduled for 33 hours next week.

With this, alongside medication withdrawals, therapy getting cancelled and the growing urge to self-isolate, I'm not sure how I will manage. Days are grouped into 2's and 3's, so maybe I need to pick some solid coping tools and self care items for those days.

And remember to take my break. I think I'm allowed a 15 or 30 after 5 hours of work, by law. I can probably work something out with my boss & coworkers to keep the day running smoothly.

Had an appointment with my Psych - I'm clear to start stepping down my old med.

Ideally, ill be lowering it by 37.5 mg/week, starting tonight. Dr. said the rough point is going to come around the 75 mg dose (starts 2 weeks from now.)

I'm on week 2 of the new stuff.. It takes approx 6 weeks to see peak effect at my dose.

This means I'm likely to have the most difficulty for Week 3 of the challenge. I can do this, though. I've cold turkey'd off of stuff before. This time I'm forewarned and forearmed!

I should probably stock up on the food stuff Ill need for that week - this way, if I get hit hard with my isolation urges, I can at least keep consistent at building this routine.

As for the stuff I'm regulating, I had a 15oz coffee I the morning. Didn't feel the sugar crash from it, but I should keep an eye out. Had a 16oz tea (non-caf) this evening, taking my meds with an 8oz cup tonight.

I'm glad I can manage non-caf tea. I'm still using sweetner for it, but it helps curb the sugar-before-bed habit I'd developed.

I'm aiming to get back to a protein bowl in the morning.

I had been doing it for a while, it helps me sustain my weight while on my meds.

3 eggs (nutrition!)

1/2 cup potatoes, carrots or similar (energy!)

2 tbsp Garlic (blood pressure)

2 strips of bacon (flavour!)

A good chunk of whatever real meat my family has in the fridge/freezer, usually frozen hamburger. (Additional protein)

They make my body go through energy as

Fats > carbs > protein

Instead of the typical priority list. All carbs I eat are guaranteed to store, essentially.

T therapy is Testosterone Therapy. My body doesn't produce enough due to some anatomy/biology reasons, so Im working on getting supplementation. They're making me jump through some irritating hoops to do it, however. DHEA is a controlled substance in Canada, so I have to be physically fit and mentally stable to be allowed the prescription.

Real life roleplaying stats

Hrunter

Level 1 Shapeshifter

STR 1

DEX 2

STA 1

CON 2

WIS 2 (+1)

CHA 2

Buffs :

Think! (Adventurer Mini-Quest); +1 WIS

MAIN QUEST

Stabilize - Must have all medical conditions under control to start T therapy. Currently switching anti-depressants, which is hitting me with a terrible One-Two of depression and withdrawal.

To turn in:

*Track doses of all medications, symptoms & side effects.

[To ensure I reach steady state quickly & effectively, minimize withdrawal aggravation through missed doses. Ensures dose adjustments will be made in a timely manner. Allow acknowledgement and warning of potential emergencies.]

* Track and Regulate Intake of all addictive substances (Caffiene & sugar products, emergency meds)

[Minimizes potential amplification of withdrawal symptoms. ]

* Cook (min.) 1 meal per day

[Ensures nutrition, assists weight loss, in blood sugar regulation. Reinforces need to fight apathy & urge to isolate through activity.]

SIDE QUEST : LIFE

* Finish name change

[Process name change & apply for new ID documents. Change name at all applicable agencies.]

MAIN QUEST

Stabilize - Must have all medical conditions under control to start T therapy. Currently switching anti-depressants, which is hitting me with a terrible One-Two of depression and withdrawal.

To turn in:

*Track doses of all medications, symptoms & side effects.

[To ensure I reach steady state quickly & effectively, minimize withdrawal aggravation through missed doses. Ensures dose adjustments will be made in a timely manner. Allow acknowledgement and warning of potential emergencies.]

* Track and Regulate Intake of all addictive substances (Caffiene & sugar products, emergency meds)

[Minimizes potential amplification of withdrawal symptoms. ]

* Cook (min.) 1 meal per day

[Ensures nutrition, assists weight loss, in blood sugar regulation. Reinforces need to fight apathy & urge to isolate through activity.]

SIDE QUEST : LIFE

* Finalize name change

[Complete name change process to obtain updated ID, update information at all applicable agencies. ]

I had a job interview today!

Oh man, a job will definitely up my activity level <3

It may mean I need to become more efficient with my mornings (cooking, BP taking, meds taking for example) but this is a BIG step up!

As is typical of my challenges, my eating habits had started to destabilize around the start of 3 weeks.  I am, however, maintaining the minimum 1 meal cooked by me, every day.
I CAN  AM DO(ING) THIS !!