Success Story

savethecat

I thought about posting this on the main discussion board, but wasn't sure what sort of responses I would get. I think the sort of progress I've made using MFP may be better appreciated in this group.

In 2009, I weighed over 250lbs. I was completely miserable. Fully aware I was transgender for at least a decade I kept it hidden in any way possible, sharing what I thought at the time to be a horrible secret with virtually no one.

In 2010 I slowly begin losing weight in hopes to better myself. I had tried to bind my chest and disguise my hips in the past but was just way too big for that to be a possibility. It was disheartening to not even be in a position to attempt passing for male. I literally hid myself behind long hair and make-up, hoping no one would ever find out.

I joined MFP in 2011 and eventually realized losing weight was my first step towards transition. If I was going to do it, I had to lose almost 100lbs. I was strict with myself. Working out and monitoring my eating like a madman for a solid year until I was down to 165lbs in 2012.

On New Years Day of 2013 I made a decision. At my lowest weight, but my highest anxiety of my adult life I was ready to come out. Not knowing if I would lose my friends and family, I still knew it was now or never- I was coming out. I cut my hair and began therapy (for the first time in my life). I started hormones in May 2013.

From that moment on it has been one hell of a ride. It's not always easy, but I haven't lost any friends or family members. I am 100% out and am seen as male by strangers, which is an amazing and verifying truth. I feel more like the man I was always supposed to grow into everyday.

With hormone replacement therapy came the anticipated weight gain and unfortunately though I now have the body hair I have lost my size to completely qualify for "otter" status. I weighed around 180lbs at the end of 2014.

The good news is, I'm back and ready to kick *kitten*!

The even better news is, if you're struggling and know weight loss is your first step to transitioning, like it was with me, you can do it.

If I can, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart, then you can.

With love and support,
Brandon

Kabiti

You should post it because you're awesome, but that's the troll in me speaking. I love the reactions... Your transition is wonderful!

You're also in good company! One trans man in my group and I often mention weight control issues and the emotional and medical problems of transition. I just updated my MFP profile with my own history and goals.

I lost 45 lbs in 2013 pre-HRT, knowing I needed to lose some to transition healthily. My endo was pretty horrible though. I was on 400 mg spiro a day, which is WAY too much for anyone to take. I couldn't taste salt and craved it like mad... salty foods are usually also high calorie. Besides that, I didn't lose everyone and hopefully I haven't lost anyone permanently, but I had some severe exclusion depression because of family. That's mostly cleared up now, but between that and the medical problems I gained back the 45 lbs I lost.

Now I'm finding it tough to be dedicated to it again. I'm 5'10 and back to 235 lbs. I know I have to sit below 200 lbs to qualify for GRS, so that's my goal for 2016. I also know I can do this because I've done it before. I think balancing some of the rest of my life is also in order... I've started to become habitual again in how I deal with food and it was the anxiety of coming out to my ex that kicked my carbohydrate addiction the first time.

I don't mean to gripe... this is just where I stand right now. Life is anything but easy, but it certainly has gotten much better!

ArgyleWerewolf

I'm so happy for you! It sounds like it's been a hard road for you, but you're clearly a tenacious guy. Congratulations on your success.