Weight Loss and Exercise.

[MrGinaes]

Hi All,

This topic doesn't carry any gender-bias, though it's obviously written from a non-transitioning MtoF cross-dressing viewpoint.

I need to lose some weight - I'm around 40-50lbs heavier than I should be, but I'd settle for a loss of around 25-30lbs. I don't have an issue with this, and could easily drop "some" by changing what I eat (to more closely match my partner's Weight Watchers nutrition, for example), and get some suitable exercise, given that I have some health and disability issues.

My problem, and purpose of this post, is that while I want to lose weight to fit better into both gender's clothes (but perhaps with a bias toward female), I really only pack weight around my belly (because I'm a genetic male, so think beer belly - though I don't drink much at all), and would loathe to lose my natural breast growth (I'm currently a natural 38b-ish), if I lost weight or used an exercise programme.

I'm really looking for exercise (and perhaps nutrition) that specifically targets the abdominal area (since the rest of me, other than my belly is relatively sleek (feminine proportions) - slim legs and arms, etc). My problem here, and perhaps with exercise in general, other than pounding the ground, is that I have an umbilical hernia (which the medics won't fix), so any exercise and toning would have to be quite gentle and prolonged over time.

Do you lovely people have any suggestions?

[Davita]

Define gentle, MrGinaes. Do you mean low impact? Do you mean light weights? Either way, two forms come to mind. Water Aerobics and Yoga. Do you go back to the days of Isometrics? That's a third possibility. Any exercise that burns a calorie is better than none. If you are specifically looking to lose weight the fastest, the bigger the muscle, the more calories burned. The way your weight goes away in the tummy will be the way it does for any boy. It doesn't matter that you target a spot to make that spot lose weight. All you do is build the muscles in that spot and fat is still fat. You have to lose fat pretty much everywhere to lose it where you want.

[Vannessa Andrews]

Hi MrGinaes
I also have an umbilical hernia and have been trying to lose weight. I have changed my diet and cut down on red meat, beer and sweets and increased the amount of fruits and vegetables I eat. I have also been exercising with low weights and high reps. I use 10 lb. ankle weights and 5 and 10 lb. dumbells. I even keep a 5 lb dumbbell in my work van and exercise when I am on long straight stretches when I am using cruise control. so far in 3 months, I have lost 23 lbs. unfortunately most of that weight has been in my arms and legs. I didn't start noticing a difference in my waist until about the last 5 lbs that I have lost. I have lost 2" in my waist size in that time. It is hard to target the belly fat when you can't do situps or crunches, but it will come off if you are persistent. I weighed 206 in April and am down to 183 now, but the weight loss is going slower now, only about 2 lbs a week. my goal is to get down to 160, so I am halfway there now. If I can find the willpower to do this , anyone can. I am a big foodie and love my ale, so it has been difficult. Good luck with the weight loss and keep us updated an how it it going.

Vannessa

[MrGinaes]

Define gentle, MrGinaes.

By gentle, I simply mean that because of the presentation of the hernia, the more I do, the more I strain my stomach muscles especially on the left where I'm slightly weaker due to health issues (and, graphically, I end up having to shove my guts back through the hole which reduces strangulation and pain)

Other than that, disability and health aside, I'm not adverse to exercise of any kind, it's simply that some kinds are comparatively difficult than others.

[DonnaT]

Truth of the matter is, you can't target any specific location of fat. You can tone muscle in specific locations, but as we lose fat we lose it where the body decides.

I've recently lost weigh by reducing my carb intake, which greatly reduced my blood sugar, and I still swim regularly for a mile +. I don't even eat wheat or whole grain breads, which are supposed to be OK, but from my experience, aren't.

Three years ago I lost 70+ lbs eating mostly oatmeal for breakfast and lunch, no soft drinks (not even diet), and no hamburgers; and exercising mornings and evenings for at least an hour each.