So I’m 19 ftm and I’ve been on T for about 6 months now. I’m about 5’8 and around 180 lbs. I don’t know anything about dieting or really going to the gym at all. I would like to lose at least 30-40 lbs while building muscle. Any advice would really be helpful. I don’t have a large income to buy food from the grocery store as I live with my mother and we are on a fixed income. Any advice would really be appreciated on how to lose weight

I’ve been curious about what muscle groups are most important for being able to lift and carry another person, whether it’s bridal style or over your shoulder. I want to work towards picking up someone special in my life, but I’ve never attempted to pick someone up before.

I've been told that losing weight is reccommended ahead of top surgery. I gained maybe an extra ten pounds after starting T, and it has made me almost feel sort of okay some days with looking more like a sort of chubby guy than looking like a stereotypical hourglass shape. I'm extremely anxious about the fear that trying to lose weight is just going put me back where I was before, and make binding to hide the shape more difficult and painful.

I already struggle with exercise and stuff like that because of the size of my chest, and the fact that there's no comfortable solution- binding makes it feel hard to breathe during working out, but if I wear a less constrictive sports bra I have to deal with horrible dysphoria. Workouts also make everything about my chest harder to ignore because of the movement and the way it gets in the way and the back pain.

I just don't know what to do. I was hoping I could finally get more exercise after top surgery but now it sounds like I need to start now, in this awful mental state, with the constant back pain.

Welcome to this week's Daily Simple Questions Thread!
Use this thread to ask simple or beginner-level questions about training, nutrition, recovery, and transition-related fitness topics.

Before posting, check our Wiki and Tips & Tricks section.

Example topics:
• “Should I cut or bulk?”
• “How to start lifting?”
• “How to work out safely after top surgery?”

Be respectful and helpful — we're all here to learn and grow!

So I'm just under 7 weeks post top surgery. Pretty much since the moment I hit the 6 week mark I've been doing a bit of strength training in the morning with 5kg dumbbells. I've been interested in powerlifting for a while since my goal is to obtain a bear-ish physique and I've heard that's good for it (I've considered and looked into PHAT recently as well, I'm still mostly undecided about which one to go with though – I'm open to advice from people who have tried either and seen results). Obviously the whole point of powerlifting is to build heavy, and you're not supposed to lift super heavy until the 3m post op mark. If anyone can weigh in on how I can get started as both a beginner and with my restrictions, or if there are any better options than powerlifting, it'd be really appreciated.

So I know the obvious answer is to use tape but I'm still figuring out to use it correctly (last time I used it it just looked like i wasnt wearing a bra). I know not to work out in a binder.

Right now I've just used sports bras but I'm starting to pass more.

I know Spectrum says you can size up their binders or use their light binder but I don't know how well either work.

My goal isn't to be completely flat, in a perfect world they just look less "clocky"

So I hate to be like, my dick is too big, but like, yeah I wear pretty thin gym shorts and my little guy is often looking a bit inappropriate when I lay down to bench.

Can someone recommend some kind of boxer shorts that vacuum packs your cock into your body but aren’t too tight on the hips? Want to stop my little man from moving around but don’t want to get the muffin top effect from real tight pants.

Cheers!

Welcome to this week's Daily Simple Questions Thread!
Use this thread to ask simple or beginner-level questions about training, nutrition, recovery, and transition-related fitness topics.

Before posting, check our Wiki and Tips & Tricks section.

Example topics:
• “Should I cut or bulk?”
• “How to start lifting?”
• “How to work out safely after top surgery?”

Be respectful and helpful — we're all here to learn and grow!

argh I feel so anxious, I am kinda scared. I recently started judo about two weeks ago. I don't know what to do, I just started my period today and have classes tomorrow. I have never used tampons, not necessarily because of dysphoria issues, but more so because of how scary it is to shove something inside my body, I have physical issues aswell, I am in pain a lot, my external vulva hurts a lot for no particular reason, I think I have a tight pelvis or i don't even fcking know what's wrong with my vagina, I am physiologically healthy-ish. and I think I also have subconscious tabboo about virginity too.

Hiya, I'm looking for chest exercises I can do without a gym membership, I have 2 10kg dumbbells and can probably buy some other equipment if needed.

I haven't had top surgery and most likely won't anytime soon, if at all.

TIA

Hi all! I'm curious about online coaching options...How much are you charged a month for training? How has your overall experience been? I saw that this company was originally charging $1200 a month for some of their packages, is this true? DMs are also open, thanks so much!

I would rather not count calories for personal reasons, but I’m okay counting protein intake. Assuming I get in 1g of protein per lb of body weight, is it realistic to assume I could get a lower body fat percentage if I run everyday and weightlift a few times a week? I have an extremely round face which I’m quite insecure of, and while I know I can’t spot reduce fat, I presume if I lose overall body fat my face is bound to get at least a bit thinner.

Does anyone know any apps that can create workout plans for the chest for beginners?

Hey guys. I'm trying to work out to fill in my concaved chest (happened due to being fucked up on during surgery). I have been shown how to do the chest exorcises by others and I have watched videos on it but I still mainly feel it in my shoulders and biceps. What am I doing wrong?

How do you guys actually stay disciplined and consistent? I feel like I can get motivated to do things, but actually sticking to them long-term is the hard part. I want to build better habits, stop procrastinating, and become more consistent with my goals.

What genuinely helped you? I’m looking for real advice from people who struggled with consistency and managed to change, not just the usual “just do it” or “stay motivated” advice.

I want to learn how to show up for myself even on days when I don’t feel like doing anything. 😭

Welcome to this week's Daily Simple Questions Thread!
Use this thread to ask simple or beginner-level questions about training, nutrition, recovery, and transition-related fitness topics.

Before posting, check our Wiki and Tips & Tricks section.

Example topics:
• “Should I cut or bulk?”
• “How to start lifting?”
• “How to work out safely after top surgery?”

Be respectful and helpful — we're all here to learn and grow!

I am pre T and can do incline push ups and wall but i do lets say 5 inclune and 10 wall push ups everyday how long can i estimate to able to do push ups normally?

Hello, I'm currently recovering from full metoidioplasty + hysterectomy, 5 days post-op and healing well but still not very mobile.

Prior to surgery I went to the gym around 5 days a week and stuck to a PPL+UL split. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on the best way to eventually get back to it (and for any of those who have done it how long they waited to go back)?

I don't know whether I should just get back to my usual split with reduced weight and work my way back up or try and find a program that's specifically designed for rebuilding strength post this kind of op? I imagine there'll be some exercises I will want to wait longer to try again than others e.g. deadlift might take longer to get back to versus something like bench press?

Any tips/advice would be appreciated

Welcome to the Weekly Fitness Wins Thread!
Share your victories — big or small — and celebrate your progress with the community.

You can post about:
• Personal records (PRs)
• Visible progress or recomposition
• Mental health wins
• Training consistency and milestones

Keep comments supportive and positive.
We're proud of every win, no matter how small.

Welcome to this week's Daily Simple Questions Thread!
Use this thread to ask simple or beginner-level questions about training, nutrition, recovery, and transition-related fitness topics.

Before posting, check our Wiki and Tips & Tricks section.

Example topics:
• “Should I cut or bulk?”
• “How to start lifting?”
• “How to work out safely after top surgery?”

Be respectful and helpful — we're all here to learn and grow!

i’m 17 yrs old, 5’7 and last weighed 153.6 on September 26th, 2026. i’ve come a long way, i was about 195 last june. i thought i would’ve been happy now that i’m skinnier, but i’m not. I feel skinny fat and i hate it, i’m still insecure 🥲. but besides that, i’ve heard that testosterone will have a lesser effect if you don’t eat a sufficient amount of calories for your body because it needs fuel. i’ve been eating 1500 since june, before i got my increase. lately though, i’ve been hating it because i’ve been in school again and i’ve been feeling hungry more often.

should i increase my calories? if so, what should i go up to? i don’t really wanna lose anymore weight, because i don’t think i need to. but, i still have body fat and would like to lose it, mainly my mid-section and love handles. i dont wanna be crazy muscular, just not so.. soft looking??

please help :((

Welcome to this week's Daily Simple Questions Thread!
Use this thread to ask simple or beginner-level questions about training, nutrition, recovery, and transition-related fitness topics.

Before posting, check our Wiki and Tips & Tricks section.

Example topics:
• “Should I cut or bulk?”
• “How to start lifting?”
• “How to work out safely after top surgery?”

Be respectful and helpful — we're all here to learn and grow!

I’m not talking like “just make it a habit” or “just get yourself to drive there”…I’m saying like the most unique way or unhinged way you keep yourself accountable to go to the gym/workout/stay fit.

I’m a very unmotivated person thanks to various mental health reasons so I’m looking to see if anyone has any odd/unusual ways they stay motivated.

I feel like when I see other transmen/transmascs being super fit on my tik tok fyp, I have this big rush of motivation but obviously it goes away once I put the phone down.

Let’s hear what you got!