Knock on Effects of Dressing Part II

[Lucy B]

A little while ago I posted about positive knock on effects from dressing.
A lot of the comments mirrored my own about being calmer and less stressed when dressed etc.
It got me wondering if anyone has what they would describe as a negative side effect of dressing.
I?m not thinking of things like guilt associated with not telling wives/partners etc.
For me, it?s been a lack of exercise.
I?ve been dressing regularly for about a year now. Prior to last year I spent many years taking part in triathlons. In fact, I?ve completed a number of Ironman events which involve an awful lot of training
Pre-Covid I would do most of my training in the evening after work. When I started working from home I was able to train at lunchtime or pre-work which worked pretty well.
Since dressing regularly on my working at home days, I find that I?m reluctant to get changed out of femme wear and back again and so I?ve neglected training to a degree.
As a result I?ve really got out of the habit. At first I saw it as a welcome rest after a number of years of training, but I feel as if I?ve taken it a bit too far now, and the scales confirm that.

[Jane G]

I can certainly relate to what you say. For those of us who choose to remain in the closet, dressing is always going to conflict with any activity that requires social interaction. It also going to vie for time with every other activity on our schedule. Why do you train so hard? Because you enjoy the physical and mental rewards it brings. Why do you dress? Dito.

I have trained for sports all my life. These day I walk the moors and visit the climbing wall, in order that I can still climb mountains when I get the chance . I need to stay in shape to fully enjoy that. So I find the time. It"s that simple. You will know your self that once you are out training you will get those physical and mental rewards. Thing is sometimes we just need another way to access them and then we need to ballance one vs the other. Hopefully you will find a new balance point and can keep both in your life for a long while yet.

[Kris Burton]

At present, I can only detect one downside - the amount of money spent, not just on clothing but other CD related items I would not even have considered otherwise. It's easy to justify though, as I consider all of it an investment in my mental health - and there is a LOT to be said for that!

[bridget thronton]

I can empathize with the reluctance pause dressing to go outside and exercise or do a dirty job (and cleanup to redress)

[Stephanie47]

When I was newly retired (2008) and my wife was still working (the good old days) I had so much pent up demand to be en femme that I neglected to get any outside chores accomplished. I was "June Cleaver" on the inside of the home, but the outside was a mess. It took several months for the spell to wear off. During the spring and fall I could take care of the seclude backyard while en femme, but had to change to drab to do the front yard work.

[docrobbysherry]

Strangely, Lucy, I often find dressing to be stressful!:eek:

I don't go out to vanilla venues dressed for that reason.:thumbsdn:

I have recently passed on going to 2 week long T events in Vegas. I've enjoyed past events like these, really had a ball! But, the stress of packing a week's worth of outfits plus all accessories has become overwhelming for me!:doh:

Finally, I shoot a lot of kinky picto stories at home. During the shoots I'm the actress/actor, director, producer, stage hand, and camera man! I'm always stressed when shooting because of all the mistakes I've made in past shoots!:sad:

[kimdl93]

Covid did weird things to all of us and getting readjusted after the lockdowns etc has done some weird things too. I just found it hard to get back to the gym, despite being something of a gym rat most of my life. I finally hit on an incentive plan. Basically, I made a deal with myself: 5 days consecutive and I give myself a gift. Last week, it was a new pair of wool slacks and wearing them to my fav wine bar. This week, its a really lovely wig. I have wanted the wig for months, but held off till it was on sale, and the stars aligned. Two more days at the gym and that wig is mine!

[Dutchess]

This is one of the things I disliked most about my ex husbands dressing . I think its important not to go down that path though most here will ignore me/my entire post ..
I have had a very active worthwhile life . I am active with my horses in various ways that have been in my family well over a century . I also LOVE to hike , ski (water and snow), surf , to go NFL games , concerts , NBA basketball , ballet , the symphony , museums, deep sea fishing , travel . alot of things . I am also active in the dramatic arts and art in general .

I think we have so little time on this earth that I really want to live while I am here ..

My ex and I would do all these things together and we did them world wide as he was from the Netherlands and I from the states and it was great ... However once the dressing was uncovered and out it took on a life of its own that I really disliked.. seriously we went from having these active fulfilling lives to staying at home 24/7 on the couch for another fashion show or makeup session .. no one could come over ever anymore for fear someone might see him . He refused to go out but would act like a spoiled child if he could not stay home and dress allllllllllllllllll day and night if possible . I finally had enough . That's not healthy and its no way to live your life .
I now am back to doing all the things I mentioned above while he has his tattered dresses living in his car- thats no way to live and no way to be remembered . . I would rather by far have the life I do now . I have actual worthwhile goals I want to accomplish .
I cannot tell you how important this is not to let it take over your life ..

[Natalie5004]

Moderation in everything you do.

[Rhonda Jean]

Avoiding social activities. Not because I chose dressing over social activities with my wife/family (although there was some of that). I just hated being different, and not fitting in with the other husbands/dads. I didn't hate it enough about it to change, but I did hate it enough to avoid the interactions. Skinny, long hair, long nails, waxed brows, shaved, tanning-bed-tanned... didn't fit in with my wife's uppity conservative friend's husbands. I should have done a better job of separating my fem and male sides. I didn't go as far off the deep end as Dutchess' husband did, but I was far beyond reason. I noticed how the jovial conversations stopped and the room chilled when I walked in with the other husbands. It sucked, but I just kept going deeper.

[Annajose]

I do wear female training outfits, that motivates me to train, you do not have to go over the top, you can wear 100% female sports clothes and make it androgynous enough to go out to the gym, put some waterproof mascara and lipstick and then go on with your two favorite activities!

[Debbie Denier]

Think it is trying to find a work, life and dress balance. Not always easy.

[DianeT]

I always dressed very rarely, but even then, anytime I had the opportunity to see my wife or meet some family or friends (or do something interesting like photographing clouds in one occasion) instead I chose the second. As much as I love the dressing, it would have felt weird to pass on an opportunity to interact with relatives or friends and build nice memories. Time flies.

[Genifer Teal]

Well said dutchess! Love your IG. Does N2O make you sleepy or just happy? Cool name either way.
Glad I can be myself whatever I'm doing. Location helps but attitude is everything.

[alwayshave]

Actually, dressing has caused me to diet and exercise more to get thinner and wear smaller dresses.

[DrFishnets]

I really enjoy crossdressing when I?m in the mood but I was worried thinking I wasn?t normal until I mentioned it to my psychologist. I told her I enjoy the feel of womens clothes especially sheer nylons and I told her I?m worried that I?m not normal enjoying this. She told me there is nothing to be worried about and as long as I?m enjoying it and giving me pleasure and it isn?t hurting anyone else then she encouraged me to continue. My partner loves me dressing. One thing is I?m really wanting to go on a diet so I enjoy it even more.