Weight and body image

[CountessVF]

I found it disturbing and eye opening when I discovered the 50 lbs of extra weight in the mirror. Of course I knew I had it. It just didn't matter till I saw a chubby butt under my skirt. It actually made me rethink my diet. We men have it so easy, lol. An ounce of personality and we are good practically regardless of how we look.

Anyone else felt like this?

[pamela7]

yes, i'm just over halfway down on my 48 pounds target loss.

[LilSissyStevie]

I had major surgery on my shoulder last year and couldn't do anything but sit around and eat for a few months while I was I was healing. I gained 25 lbs on top of the 15 that I was already overweight. My blood pressure is out of control. I have to hold my breath to tie my shoes but for some reason I'm having trouble getting motivated to lose the blubber. Dieting makes me hungry.

[Welshgirl]

If Pamela and I could swap diets then we would both be a lot better off! I can eat until I am full to bursting and only take in 1200 - 1300 calories a day, while Pamela would make a beeline for all the high calorie, high fat foods that he can find. I actually ended up losing weight long term by not realising that I was under eating (and I am so small that I really don't have any to lose).

I think what I am trying to say is that dieting does not have to equate to hungry at all. The other motivations are another story... I can talk more about this off forum if you wish.

[CountessVF]

I think what I am trying to say is that dieting does not have to equate to hungry at all. The other motivations are another story... I can talk more about this off forum if you wish.

Talk more about other motivations for dieting or how crossdressing makes you more aware of your physical condition?

That's awesome btw Pamela!

Too bad about your shoulder Steve. Might just have to do it despite the lack of motivation. Lots of times it doesn't come till after we've made good choices. We resist change and cling to the familiar. Even if it's unhealthy.

[Jenniferathome]

... An ounce of personality and we are good practically regardless of how we look.
...

No, society has a very harsh view of the overweight. I think the bar is just lower for men than women and because men's clothes tend to be straight and larger than needed, we can hide more, more easily. Did you know that among children, the MOST prejudiced, teased, bullied child is the fat kid. Not black, Jew, Asian, whatever. The fat kid.

Now, I am a big proponent of staying shape. Every single aspect of your life improves as you shed fat. Here's the trick: Set a goal. Weigh yourself EVERY DAY. Count every calorie into your body, every day. There are a million of apps for that. I like LoseIt!. Exercise, every day. 5 days a week, it has to be a good sweat with elevated heart rate. Starting is hard, doing it is easy.

[Julie Denier]

Weight is an ongoing battle for me. It's important to be healthy. But we all come in different sizes, and we big girls can look and feel pretty, too ;)

[AngelaYVR]

Personally, I'm not so keen on a daily weigh. The best way is the 'my trousers/skirt are getting looser' method. Counting calories is also micromanaging what should be a natural process and can be a stumbling block for many. You should definitely find an activity that you like, if you hate it you'll quit after a few weeks. Make sure most of your dinner is veggies, eliminate sugary things (but allow yourself a weekly reward) and expect a trying transition period as your body adjusts. After a while, it will come naturally.

Julie, you look great as you are!

I should mention to only attempt weight loss if that is what you want and not what others expect.

[CountessVF]

Oh I remember the fat kids getting picked on, I was one of them. However as an adult I've batted wwaayy out if of my league because I get people laughing. So many people are afraid they'll say the wrong thing. Conversation, especially in person, is fluid and malleable.

[Petra222]

Weight is an ongoing battle for me. It's important to be healthy. But we all come in different sizes, and we big girls can look and feel pretty, too ;)

I couldn't agree more Julie, well said :)

[Welshgirl]

Talk more about other motivations for dieting or how crossdressing makes you more aware of your physical condition?

Both of those things, plus the kind of food that I was eating that would fill me up while I was steadily losing weight!

[Closeted Kat]

I was kind of lucky as a fat kid growing up. I was fat, but also bigger than most of the other kids in general so no one really bothered me, aside from my aloof personality that no one bothered me in general i got alot with most people. One time in high school a hot shot wrestler tried picking on me in gym, i laid him out in the game we were playing that day and my teacher just laughed and the game went on, he knew that guy was a punk and didn't mind. It was legitimate playing the game and my mass was bigger so i won :). yeah i've been losing weight though too, i told myself if i ever hit 300lbs i had to diet, i didn't want to be one of those beach ball looking guys. i've attempted many things like counting calories, but what i've found most helpful so far is to replace my snacking on junk food with fruits and drinking mostly water subbed with zero cal drinks when not drinking water. friday and saturday i eat what i want rest of the week i just stick with what i got. I shoot for 2000cal a day and at first it seemed hard but once i got easily portioned food and the extra fruits things have been doing well. I'm down 34lbs so far, even lost weight on thanksgiving and christmas, gained a little for new years though. Hope you find something that works, also helps to have people who are supporting and comment on your body getting smaller or toner. :)
-kat

[Cindy J Angel]

The hurt shoulder should not keep u from walking. That was whin i lost my weight got bored setting around lost 40. Started walking took my 3 years but all u got to do is get off your ass and walk. After a will u might even start running. But us old woman need to be careful i did hurt my back med summer and had to stop. And as of now i am still hurting i have tryed averthing the dr has said to do. So to day i started to walk agen and got a little bet of run i also. I am going to be sore tomorrow. Trying to stabilize my core to help low back. And to lose 20 more. Got to get my waste down love cindy

[pamela7]

Exercise, every day. 5 days a week, it has to be a good sweat with elevated heart rate. Starting is hard, doing it is easy.

There are many physical situations where this is neither practical, nor desirable nor beneficial. Having dealt with a nasty tropical virus and years of fatigue, i can say that the best approach for me was to go for weights/strength first and to build aerobic capability slowly in second phase, exercising every 2-3 days, allowing recovery and consuming food-energy in the post-exercise window to transport the glucose into the muscles for the next time it is needed. The good sweat, even before the virus, with 10 years of swimming a fast mile a day, only increased appetite. I'm consistently losing a pound a week by living mainly on freshly-made juices and a light evening meal, and exercising an hour every 2-3 days. 27 pounds down in 5-6 months - its working slowly as desired.

[Greenie]

As much as we all like to webMD ourselves, no ones advice here is going to be as tailored to you and your specific situation as it would if you were to see a Dr.

I had been having trouble losing weight and saw a Dr. He told me I was depressed and gave me prozac. I decided that I did not like that idea, so i went to a naturopath, we discovered through an elimination diet that I am severely allergic to gluten and dairy. I would not have figured that out without the guided help of a natural doctor. I have lost about 15 pounds without really trying.

So even though there is lots of advice here that might help you out, but it also might not work for you. I tried and tried for a year without losing any weight and had a health issue that could not be helped with just diet and exercise.

[CountessVF]

.. .allergic to gluten and dairy...

All I heard was "no Wheat Thins". Only thing worse would be losing bacon.

[AmyVanessa]

I know what you mean, we do have a harsh view of overweight peeps of both sexes.
Had I not taken up dressing, I'd probably still weigh 350 pounds, I was pretty shocked the first time I took pictures of myself, even though I knew I had a few extra pounds.
I'm down to 245, still more than I'd like, but I like it when folks tell me how good I look now.

[Greenie]

worse would be losing bacon.

I would probably need to join another support group if i also lost bacon. :(

[justmetoo]

LOL, Greenie (me, too!) (also, very nice sig line)

Seeing my excess weight en femme a few years ago was just the motivation I needed to lose that weight. I dropped about a pound a week, and modified my overall eating habits so I've kept it off.

[CountessVF]

Seeing my excess weight en femme a few years ago was just the motivation I needed to lose that weight. I dropped about a pound a week, and modified my overall eating habits so I've kept it off.

That's awesome that you've made that progress. I'm making small changes that I'll stick with. Not diets,
but permanent changes. But bacon isn't negotiable.

[phylis anne]

yes being over weight especially in this day and age is not socially correct they say . There is a saying truth hurts ! well let me say i got a good dose of this on annother thread about my "projections being just fat " well I was a bit miffed of course because from the front they looked like the beginning of a bust :sad: well the other day at a motel I use to dress in there was a full length mirror and boy did the truth hurt JENNIFER AT HOME thanks for the eye opener of course it really got noted on a recent visit back to alaska ,instead of saying hi dad it was nice gut dad !!!!! thanks again jennifer at home
hugs phylis anne

[LilSissyStevie]

The hurt shoulder should not keep u from walking.

Walking was pretty much all I could do but the pain killers made even that difficult. I'm not much of a believer in the exercise for weight loss theory. I've never seen any evidence for it. When I worked construction, there were plenty of fat guys who spent all day finishing concrete. They probably burned 7-8k kcals per day but ate/drank even more. During my bodybuilding years, I never had any problem putting on weight despite spending 2+ hours/day in the gym with minimum 30min cardio. I'm not against exercise, I just think it's WAAAAAAAY overrated for weight loss. You lose weight when you ingest less calories than you expend. It's as simple as that. Exercise, especially anaerobic exercise, will help preserve lean body mass while losing the fat through calorie restriction but it is ineffective by itself.

[Anna Stouf]

Seems like I struggle with my weight every Spring. This Winter I've gained 5 pounds. That puts me 35 lbs overweight by my calculation. But this Winter I've endured one major surgery and two funerals (both were emotionally draining). I know that's no excuse, but still, it's been hard to get motivated. I blame it on all the below zero temperatures. We broke six records in February for coldest days.

OK, Spring is almost here. As soon as it gets warm enough I'll get outside and get going! Gotta get ready for NEXT Winter! LOL.

[RachelsMantra]

This is just my personal opinion that is based on years of studying health and nutrition but I think that the most evidence-based weight loss "diet" is low carb. It's not really a diet though in the traditional sense because it's not based on caloric reduction. If you are eating a high-carb diet and switch to a low-carb diet of identical calories you WILL lose weight. And the best part is you won't be hungry. The problem with caloric reduction aka "starvation" diets is that once you go back to not being hungry you will inevitably gain it back again leading to "yo-yo" dieting.

If anyone wants to read a great book on the problems with the "Calories-in calories-out" model of weight loss and the scientific basis of low-carb diets check out the fantastic book by Gary Taubes called "Good Calories, Bad Calories". He debunks the idea that a "calorie is a calorie". Some calories are worse than others because they affect the metabolism differently. Specifically, carb-y calories like bread or sugar are "worse" for you in terms of weight loss than fat or protein calories because of how they affect your metabolism.

My 2 cents.

[MissTee]

I have always struggled with maintaining my weight. When I was younger it was much easier as I worked out all the time and burned calories like crazy. After a third wound of many military missions I was derailed and simply couldn't do what I once could. Ballooned quite a bit. Steroids for inflammation issues compounded the problem. I work on it and do the best I can, but have physical limitations now due to injuries suffered.

That said, I will never allow myself to be an easy target or a victim of ridicule regardless of my weight. Overweight kids have it tough indeed. However, as adults, we do NOT have to tolerate that. I made a choice to serve my country and paid a price for it. So what I carry a little extra weight as a result. Love yourself for what you are and be as healthy as you can.

[docrobbysherry]

------------------------------------- Exercise, every day. 5 days a week, it has to be a good sweat with elevated heart rate. Starting is hard, doing it is easy.
When I got serious about Sherry and losing weight, Jenn? One of the first things I did was quite going to the gym. I was ravenous after every work out and hard muscles aren't fem.

Excersize is great for staying in shape, as u mention. But, has little nothing to do with long term, substancial weight loss. And, 90+% of folks on extreme excersize programs eventually quit.

Want to SERIOUSLY lose weight? Do what I did. Gradually change your eating habits. Just take it slow. Eat a little less, eat a little heathier, knock off those death drinks! :drink:
Make little changes u can live with the rest of your life. And, your life will be both better and longer when u eat/drink healthier.

Diets r like excersize programs. Over the long run they won't work. Just take it slow, easy, and don't deprive yourself. You'll resent it, hate it, and go back to bad habits!:doh:

If u get to the point that you're losing a pound a week, u r going in the rite direction! :thumbsup:
When u see how easy it is, changes will become even easier!:battingeyelashes:

[Jeninus]

You need two things: something to motivate you and a plan. For me, the motivation is to be down to a 24 BMI by Southern Comfort Conference time (9/29/15 - 10/4/15, Ft. Lauderdale), which is the icing on that cake. The plan is WeightWatchers and walking for exercise. In addition to the benefit of fitting comfortably into a size 8 - 10, there are also the benefits of lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lower glucose readings and feeling great...however dressed. A 1-2 lb/week weight loss and six months to get there should do it. Who's with me? Who will I see at SCC?

Jenn

[Tracy Hazel Lee]

Daily weighing and calorie counting, while not mandatory, is important if you really want to stay on top of what's changes are happening...good or bad. Sure, you don't need to do it, but I feel that knowledge is power and any extra information that I can use to stay motivated and on track is only going to help. For myself, I need daily confirmation that I'm making progress. I will notice a change on the scale much earlier than noticing a change in how my clothes fit. A difference of 1~2lbs is not going to be noticeable in my pants, but the scale will tell me immediately. I NEED to see this to stay motivated. If at any point you start thinking that you're efforts are making no difference, you will become discouraged and probably give up.

Calorie counting is also not mandatory, but if you start learning about the calories in the foods you eat, you will have a MUCH easier time selecting what foods you DO eat and which ones you don't. I know when I started tracking calories it was a real eye opener. There's no mystery to me why it is SO EASY for people to over eat, especially if you're not an active person. If more people knew how many calories are in the foods they eat, they may think twice before eating it (at least the ones that care).

There also seems to be an endless supply of excuses for people use as to why they just can't lose weight and/or keep it off. Good calories, bad calories, high-carb, low-carb, high protien, low sugar, gluten free...etc. These are all things worth factoring in, and will affect how efficiently you lose or maintain your weight, but ultimately the quantity of calories that you take in MUST be less then what your body burns if you want to lose weight. THERE IS NO WAY AROUND THIS.

You must also be realistic with your goals, and how long it will take to get there. I bet you, that most of the people (if not all of them) that tried diets and gave up, did so because they were eating the wrong foods, and felt hungry all the time, or they just weren't seeing the progress that they were expecting. Everybody wants maximum results in a minimum amount of time. This is the wrong approach, and will most definitely lead to failure. Losing weight takes a LOT of time! And you don't need to starve or overwork yourself! ANY amount of caloric deficit is going to make a difference if you maintain it long enough to reach your goal.

Another thing that a lot of people don't seem to understand is that a 'diet' is not temporary. If you want to lose weight, and keep it off, you must permanently adjust your diet and lifestyle. All the crap that you hear about people losing weight and gaining it back, and saying that diets don't work, is just stupid. The number one reason why people gain the weight back is because they don't maintain the required caloric intake to keep their weight stabilized. Simply put, they went off the plan.

[Stephanie47]

We men to not have it so easy when it comes to being overweight. Most women who are overweight carry it on their hips. They have the look of a pear. Men tend to carry it as belly fat as in beer belly. The viseral fat men carry smothers the internal organs. If you target your weight loss with the goal of living longer and healthier, then the clothes will ultimately fit better, whether male or female. Another thing to keep in mind is visceral fat does not necessarily disappear if you obtain a flat stomach. You youngsters don't let yourself go. Keep fit from day one.

[prene]

I have always been not to big except my Thunder Thighs YUCK.
I work out all the time, but when I let my weight go in the winter a little, what I like is I get a little cleavage.
When I work out harder and more outside I loose it.
But for me I was a waist and a flat stomach ... I can get breasts. LOL

[Jessie James]

My entire life I had always been really overweight. I had been eating myself to an early grave. A few years ago I decided that I was sick of being miserable and with the help and encouragement of family, finally made a change for the better. Since then I've gotten on a healthy eating and I exercise regime and have lost a little over 200 pounds. I still have a bit more to lose, but its's a heckuva lot easier now.

An incentive that I have now, one that I didn't have a few years ago, is my CDing. It's nice to see a cute dress or blouse and know that they'll likely have my size in stock, although lack of extra funds to purchase said dress/blouse is a whole 'nother story.

Jessie~☆

[Adriana Moretti]

Another thing that a lot of people don't seem to understand is that a 'diet' is not temporary. If you want to lose weight, and keep it off, you must permanently adjust your diet and lifestyle. All the crap that you hear about people losing weight and gaining it back, and saying that diets don't work, is just stupid. The number one reason why people gain the weight back is because they don't maintain the required caloric intake to keep their weight stabilized. Simply put, they went off the plan.

This rings very true...and is my motto....Dont change your diet...change your entire LIFESTYLE ....

[erickka]

Due to the unusually bad winter here, I have gotten a little fluffy myself. I needs to lose about 15 lbs., or I won't look too good in my sun dresses this summer!

[kimdl93]

Well, I've been on a steady, cautious weight loss program for many years now....trying to lose about 10 pounds a year. It's mostly for health benefits, but I can see an improvement in how my clothes fit and my appearance overall. So, if being transgendered has helped motivate the change, I'm all for it!

[ophelia]

Good texts all. I receive plenty of flack on dating sites for not wanting to date overweight women. Here's the skinny on that, I am not interested in what I call a FATTITUDE.
Meaning the oceans of careless choices and mountain of excuses some people about their weight and BMI.
The problem is not your taste buds and stomach. It's in your head.
Arriving at and maintaining a healthy body shape and weight is a long term endeavor.
It's not rocket surgery to eat less but better food and take 10,000 steps a day.
Well worth the effort in terms of extended quality of life for you significant others to share.
A million times easier to pass en femme as well.

[CountessVF]

Good texts all. I receive plenty of flack on dating sites for not wanting to date overweight women. Here's the skinny on that, I am not interested in what I call a FATTITUDE.
Meaning the oceans of careless choices and mountain of excuses some people about their weight and BMI.
The problem is not your taste buds and stomach. It's in your head.
Arriving at and maintaining a healthy body shape and weight is a long term endeavor.
It's not rocket surgery to eat less but better food and take 10,000 steps a day.
Well worth the effort in terms of extended quality of life for you significant others to share.
A million times easier to pass en femme as well.

A good point for sure, a bit blunt but valid none the less. My point was that it wasn't really disturbing or noticed until the more stringent standards of feminine beauty and shapeliness were applied to my own body. Until then I was just another guy with a few extra pounds. Which virtually no one cares about.

[vicky_cd99_2]

Weight is such an issue for me. Hence you see no pics, well that is part of the reason. My job keeps my sitting on my behind most of the day and since my job is almost twice as long as the normal persons day getting to the gym is just about out. I also love to cook. Most of the meals I cook are not what you call calorie friendly. So I have started doing small things to help change my weight and lifestyle. Hopefully I can keep these changes up and add to it. So far it is working down 15 lbs.

[Beverley Sims]

The personality stakes work well but it takes discipline to shed the pounds we seem to acquire.
Activity vs food intake seems to be the formula. :)

[Melissa in SE Tn]

Adriana & hazel are on spot!! It takes a lifestyle revolution to want to get to that elusive femme personna.

[Teresa]

Countess,
My weight loss wasn't planned but just happened when I got a new dog ! In two months I lost 28 lbs just by upping my walking pace ! I wasn't fat before but I'm so pleased that most stuff off the peg fits in most of the right places and I can achieve a balanced shape without having to resort to padding apart from something a little extra to fill a bra !!

[AmyVanessa]

200 pounds, that's awesome.
Congrats and keep up the good work

[LilSissyStevie]

This is just my personal opinion that is based on years of studying health and nutrition but I think that the most evidence-based weight loss "diet" is low carb. It's not really a diet though in the traditional sense because it's not based on caloric reduction. If you are eating a high-carb diet and switch to a low-carb diet of identical calories you WILL lose weight. And the best part is you won't be hungry. The problem with caloric reduction aka "starvation" diets is that once you go back to not being hungry you will inevitably gain it back again leading to "yo-yo" dieting.

If anyone wants to read a great book on the problems with the "Calories-in calories-out" model of weight loss and the scientific basis of low-carb diets check out the fantastic book by Gary Taubes called "Good Calories, Bad Calories". He debunks the idea that a "calorie is a calorie". Some calories are worse than others because they affect the metabolism differently. Specifically, carb-y calories like bread or sugar are "worse" for you in terms of weight loss than fat or protein calories because of how they affect your metabolism.

My 2 cents.

I agree with this. I have both of Taubes' books Good Calories, Bad Calories and Why We Get Fat. I imply that a calorie is a calorie above but I know it isn't quite true. On the other hand, not many people loose weight on a 6000 calorie low-carb diet. I lost 60lbs 15 years ago by going on a very low-carb diet. It was actually extremely easy. It suppressed my appetite so much that I had many days where I simply forgot to eat. Over the years, I stuck to a more moderate low-carb regime and only gained back 15-20 lbs. But last year I threw in the towel and ballooned up another 25lbs in no time at all. I've proven to myself that low-carb works and that I can stick to it for years but I'm having a tough time getting back up off the mat for another round.

[Khora]

Daily weighing and calorie counting, while not mandatory, is important if you really want to stay on top of what's changes are happening...good or bad. Sure, you don't need to do it, but I feel that knowledge is power and any extra information that I can use to stay motivated and on track is only going to help. For myself, I need daily confirmation that I'm making progress. I will notice a change on the scale much earlier than noticing a change in how my clothes fit. A difference of 1~2lbs is not going to be noticeable in my pants, but the scale will tell me immediately. I NEED to see this to stay motivated. If at any point you start thinking that you're efforts are making no difference, you will become discouraged and probably give up.

I would disagree with weighing yourself everyday. I tried that for about a month or so and it wound up frustrating me because body weight fluctuates daily (hourly) depending on several different factors. Watching my weight go up and down each day was driving me up the wall and ended up being discouraging. I decided that I would weigh in once per month and just look for a downward trend in the number to know I was on the right track.

[Tracy Hazel Lee]

@ Khora

You shouldn't be weighing yourself multiple times throughout the day... What is the point of this? Eating a meal, or even going to the bathroom will affect your weight. You should weigh yourself ONCE... when you first wake up in the morning, and AFTER using the toilet. This is the ONLY time I will get on the scale... And for the most consistent results, weigh yourself naked, or with only underwear on. Weighing yourself fully clothed is NOT an accurate measurement. Clothing alone, can easily add 4~5lbs.

I also said 'for myself', I need to know each day what direction the number is going. What is encouraging for me, might be discouraging for others. If you don't keep track of what you are eating and just jump on the scale whenever you feel like it, you'll never know for sure what caused the increase in weight. When I see the number go up, it's not usually a surprise because I track what I eat, and know when I over-ate or just plain cheated. To me, this is NOT discouraging, it tells me to stop dicking around and stay on the plan.

Back when I first started taking an interest in what I eat, I was 162lbs. I'm already a smallish guy, but my gut had inflated to a point where I felt I needed to take some action.... the biggest reason was, I refused to buy new pants. So I started getting serious. In about 5 months I managed to get down to 140. And that was with no extra effort towards more activity... only reducing my calories. While I haven't been as strict with my diet as I was when I was really trying to lose the weight, it has been 5 years since then and I have managed to keep my weight (on average) between 145 ~ 150. When it starts looking like it's going to get above 150, I start making more effort, and I get back down to 145 again, usually within about a month. I attribute this to my continuous tracking of what I eat, and staying on top of which direction my weight is going.

Weighing yourself only once a month is WAY too long to wait. Going a month without knowing what's going on sounds much more discouraging than tracking it with a little more frequency. You could have hit upon a loss-streak and shaved off 3 lbs one week, and then gained it back in another week. And you would never have even noticed. Sounds like a missed motivational moment to me. I think you should at least shorten it to once per week. Again, this is only MY opinion, and what I feel keeps ME motivated. Your mileage may vary...

[Dana44]

I try to keep my weight down. I do cross-fit and yoga and that gives me enough exercise. I had to change my eating habit also. I do find that my thigh's are a bit larger from the heavy workouts.

[justmetoo]

What Sherry described is exactly what worked for me. I think each person has to find their own key factors, but I also agree with Adriana, et al., that it has to be a lifestyle change that you can keep up forever if you want to keep the weight off, not a temporary diet that you stop and go back to old habits once you reach your target. It also has to be sustainable in the short term so you don't feel deprived and go off and binge. And don't expect quick results. Most likely you didn't put on the weight really fast. Be patient about taking it off. Like they say, slow and steady wins the race.

As for weighing, I agree with Tracy that once a month is probably too infrequent. I did it once a week. Daily was not encouraging enough because the difference from one day to the next was within the "margin of error" for other factors that influence one's weight, even doing things like weighing first thing in the morning after using the loo, wearing nothing but underpants/panties. But once a week, over the course of a month, I could see the weight gradually coming down.

Best wishes to all, whether you're trying to lose weight or not! :)

[sometimes_miss]

We men have it so easy, lol. An ounce of personality and we are good practically regardless of how we look. Anyone else felt like this?
True to some point; as long as I have enough cash, there will always be plenty of women willing to date me even though I'm old and out of shape. OTOH, young pretty women will always have guys willing to date them even if they're completely broke and have the personality of a turnip. Life evens out, they have it better when they're young, we have it better when we get older.

[Tracii G]

I have been 275+ and at 5'5" or so thats pretty fat.I always found femme clothes that fit my body.
Don't give up dressing because of a few extra pounds.
If you lose weight you are still going to have to pad your butt and hips anyway because you will never have a female body.
One bad thing about losing weight is all the wrinkles show up.LOL

[LookingGlass]

My ex's story fits here more than mine. I lost about 20-25 pounds after we split and got back to my high school/previous crossdressing weight. My ex, however, had managed to get herself to quite a weight. She is naturally muscular thanks to her father so she would never be a size 6 or lower, but when we met when we were college age she still had a fantastic shape to her. Between then and about a year before we split she got up to a weight that really shocked us both. She doesn't get to go to the gym or anything much like that, but she COMPLETELY changed how she ate, when she ate, and what she ate. That along with what little exercise she can get (usually just walking around at work as a teacher) she lost around 60 or so pounds. She got off the eating habits and got some back, but once she gets back to it she ends up losing it. Exercise is necessary for everyone's health, but what your eating habits do count more than anything.

[Vickie_CDTV]

No., I never thought about it because some women are big, and there is nothing out of the ordinary about it. Some women are small, some women are big, some are short, some are tall. And I like big women anyway, so whatever...

[Raquel Maire]

Stay in shape both as a male and female because health is so important. I like to look sexy and it takes work going to the gym and working out. My routine includes just sit ups push ups and cardio walking ( can't run due to knee issues) Each time I'm there I think to myself I need to get in that smaller dress size. It seems to work for me

[CountessVF]

True to some point; as long as I have enough cash, there will always be plenty of women willing to date me even though I'm old and out of shape. OTOH, young pretty women will always have guys willing to date them even if they're completely broke and have the personality of a turnip. Life evens out, they have it better when they're young, we have it better when we get older.

Broke and the personality of a turnip. Lol. Priceless. You made a valid point though. Seems to me we men have a lifetime of expectations to meet. Be strong, be brave, be successful, be everything they need and let them choose how nuts they'll be on any given day and if they'll work. Different masks to wear and attributes to emphasize at different ages. But much of masculine life is a pissing contest.

So any good points and some inspiring stories. Wish I had time to response to each directly. I know I need to make changes. It was just interesting that I didn't notice or care till I saw body in women's clothes.

[LilSissyStevie]

This thread and my continuing blood pressure problems inspired me to get back on the wagon. I woke up last Saturday, weighed myself (217#) and took my blood pressure (170/110, Heart rate 105) and realized I'm not long for this world if I don't do something quick. I immediately cut out the carbs and resolved to include some mild aerobic exercise to help get my blood pressure in control. I made an appointment to see the doc to adjust my BP meds. By the time I saw the doc on Wednesday my BP was already down to 140/95 after being elevated for months. She's like WTF is your emergency? Anyway, she gave me another med I can stop taking if my BP gets well into the normal range. I woke up this morning and weighed 210 - down 7# in 6 days (mostly water, I know) and my BP was 140/90 heart rate 67.:D I feel a LOT better and am inspired to continue. Maybe someday soon I'll even fit into my dresses again.

I found this talk by Gary Taubes that explains why low carb works not just for obesity but also for other diseases of modern civilization (diabetes, High BP, lipid disorders, etc.)

https://youtu.be/qEuIlQONcHw

[Ceera]

Actually, my weight was, at one point, a major reason why I didn't try to cross dress. I lost 30 pounds or so before I felt like I looked good enough to try to present as female. And I really want to lose another 30 to 40 pounds. I'd love to get back to the 170 to 175 pounds that I weighed back in my 20's, and I am making an effort with diet and exercise to achieve that goal.

[meganmartin]

OMG yes same as you after a few months of over indulging found myself way over weight.
And clothes are worse for women then men too.

[Lollipop]

I'm 6'3" and 170lbs - so I could never be convincing out - but I still think I look good
Jessie

[CountessVF]

This thread and my continuing blood pressure problems inspired me to get back on the wagon.
Whatever it takes. Just an interesting wake up call, for me as well.


Actually, my weight was, at one point, a major reason why I didn't try to cross dress. I lost 30 pounds or so before I felt like I looked good enough to try to present as female. And I really want to lose another 30 to 40 pounds. I'd love to get back to the 170 to 175 pounds that I weighed back in my 20's, and I am making an effort with diet and exercise to achieve that goal.
It's a clear indicator that even we are hard in fat femme, especially the one in the mirror.


I'm 6'3" and 170lbs - so I could never be convincing out - but I still think I
Jessie
I'm 5'6". And you might own on the basketball court but I finally win here. :-P

[Rebekah_uk]

As Chris Powell would say, you don't have to be great to start, you just have to to start to be great.

[Rebekah_uk]

The biggest eye opener for me was when I downloaded my fitness pal app, it opened my eyes to how much crap I was actually eating.

[MissusMeagan]

As a GG, I can add that matching personal body weight and shape assessment up with reality can be a lifelong struggle. That said, whatever steps are taken towards better health, image acceptance, etc., I would most definitely second, third, quadruple, quintuple (??) the previous comments about lifestyle changes, not diets, being key.

[Vanessa_V_Ed]

It is a very important point.

I had 105kg (230lbs) by Christmas and today I had 93kg(205lbs). And still going down.
A famous cook once said the best method is "just eat half". Many of us are just eating (and sitting) too much

By the way, what do you think about girdles, corsets and all those? (regarding overweight)

[Jocelyn Quivers]

I'm suffering through the lifelong weight loss plateau phase, where I lost a bunch weight at once, hit my lightest weight, and have gained back around 10 pounds. Which my body refuses to shed or get rid of. Granted this really cold winter, and spring (had my heat on yesterday, its the end of April:Angry3:), irregular work hours, lack of sleep, T blockers etc. does not help matters. That does not mean that I will ever quit trying to lose those 5-10 pounds again, while pretty much ignoring everything else in life in order to get there.:cheer: