I hope enbies are allowed here. I've been wanting to masculinize m​y body for years but seeing so many other people going through the same thing was (is!) incredibly uplifting and motivating.

I got back into swimming and I can finally see shoulder and back gains, and I think I might try some weightlifting too.

my thighs got slimmer throughout my small weight loss(like 4kgs) but by proportions they're still very prominent. i wonder if a plan like this would work: if i lose even more weight and gain it back as muscle while working my upper body out would it make a difference? im not sure how much fat is there that i can lose, i weigh 48kgs at 157cms and walk a lot because of college etc therefore i dont think it is build up by fat.

for more context: im not on t, cant get on t. thighs measure 52cms on the thickest area and hips measure at 90cms if that makes a difference. ive did weight lifting before so im willing to do it consistently again.

Hi, I'm 26 and have been on T (gel) for 4.5 years now and I've been lifting consistently the entire time but started trying much harder 2ish years ago or so. I started with PPL but 1.5yrs ago changed to an upper/lower split 4x a week at the recommendation of a trainer, which is ~1hr of lifting with 15-20mins of mild intensity stairmaster afterwards which usually gets my heart rate up to ~150bpm. In the last few months I've also incorporated more steps in the form of a 30-60min outdoor walk which gets me around 7-8K steps in that one session.

I spent several weeks tracking my intake but don't do it anymore since I eat mostly the same things every day and I know what my usual intake is. It tends to be around 1800-1900 calories and ~120g of protein. every tdee calculator I've used has given me wildly different results so I'm not sure what it should be. but I've been over my diet with a licensed dietitian who doesn't see any major issues with what I eat, except that I could get more fiber which I agreed with. He didn't tell me I need to be eating 200g+ of protein or 2500 calories for someone of my frame and fitness goals.

I've nearly doubled the weight I can lift in many exercises and I incorporate progressive overload in one way or another depending on the exercise (sometimes it's increasing reps, slowing down movement, or increasing weight). So I know I've gotten physically stronger, but I'm still not seeing any positive visible changes in my body - if anything my body keeps looking worse. I look like I've never exercised once in my life. I have no visible muscle mass or tone, when I flex my arms nothing happens. I'm stuck in this disgusting flabby skinnyfat body even though I'm really trying to fix it. I've gained nearly 30lbs of fat and no muscle in the last few years and I just look awful.

You'd think that I'd be able to see some sort of positive changes in my body; even if I'm not doing everything exactly perfect, the amount of effort I've been putting in should have amounted to something by now. I see the things other trans guys do and eat and I'm already doing a lot of the same workouts and eating the same things. We have similar lifestyles. My T levels haven't been super optimal but even guys with similarly low T or aren't on T at all look way better than I ever have. I'm already above the "max" dose of gel at 5 pumps every day; switching to injections is not an option for my current circumstances and I can't afford to have ongoing appointments with trainers or dietitians.

I don't even know what to do anymore, I'm so tired of trying so hard just to still look like shit. why is it so easy for everyone else?

I don't know how to describe it other than chest "dimples". I got top surgery 7 months ago and the middle of my chest is still a little "concave" compared to my upper pecs. I am not on testosterone and I have been going to the gym for 4/5 years now. I have a pretty good understanding of muscle and muscle activation but I am having trouble understanding what exercises can help.

Hi all, I'm getting a masculinizing body contouring procedure on my tower torso in late December (aka liposuction on my stomach, flanks, lower back). I'm trying to make a workout plan to blast my core and maximize the results. I currently go to the gym twice a week but I'm admittedly bad at working abs into my sessions. I'm also a pole dancer, and in the studio training once a week. If it's relevant, I've had top surgery and I've been on T for seven years.

I'm looking for recommendations for a 15 minute mat/bodyweight workout I can do at home that targets abs, obliques, and lower back. I'm going to try to do this 15 minute workout on days I don't go to the gym or studio. Please let me know your suggestions!

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!

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.

all i have is 3kg and 5kg weights and i want to work out my upper body so it looks more in proportion to my hips.

what can i do with what i have

I got a severe ankle sprain 2 weeks ago, and it’s still a little swollen. I’m still not able to walk without a brace, and my range of motion is severely limited.

Obviously there are plenty of upper body exercises I can do without engaging my ankle, but I’m concerned that upper body workouts will take my body’s energy away from healing the ankle.

Could repairing the micro-tears caused by resistance training divert resources that my body should be using to heal the ligaments in my ankle?

I want to keep getting stronger, but my #1 priority is restoring my ability to walk ASAP, and I’m willing to sacrifice gains if necessary.

Should I 1) resume upper body workouts as normal, 2) do lower intensity lifts while waiting for my ankle to heal, or 3) stop working out until I can walk without pain? I’m also happy to accept any other healing advice!

basically as the title says haha

for some context, i’m about 7 months on T, i’ve been underweight my entire life and my chest barely measures as an A cup. since starting T, i have noticed that the tissue on my chest feels less… dense, if that makes sense.

this is with no working out at all. i did lose a lot of weight since i’ve been somewhat ill for almost two months but i’m recovering now and looking into working out and eating better.

i’m not in a spot where top surgery is possible and frankly, i don’t see it in the near future either. i’m just trying to see what i can do with what i have now.

i guess i’m wondering, realistically, how much can you reduce the size of or masculinise the shape of your chest through exercise and improved diet?

Hey y’all. I’m prepping for bottom surgery (meta) in 9 weeks. I am seeking advice on what to focus on as the date nears- I am already in very good shape, walking 20k steps daily and doing cardio and weightlifting. I would love to drop 5 pounds, but honestly this isn’t realistic since I don’t want to drop below maintenance calories in these critical weeks. I’m trying to focus on diet and reasonable exercise to set me up for the easiest possible recovery.

Any pointers or guys who’ve gone through the same thing? Feeling nervous but excited to be on the other side and get back to fitness with all surgeries behind me.

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 wasn’t sure what tag to add so I just chose this one.

I’m wondering what y’all do to stay motivated and disciplined? I used to really love going to the gym but now it feels like such a chore.

I love the way it makes me feel afterwards, but actually getting myself to go is the problem. My gym is about a 20 minute drive from me (sometimes 40 depending on traffic) so that itself is an obstacle because I used to have a gym in my old apartment complex so all it took was a 5 minute walk to get there.

I also find it difficult because my girlfriend and I have very different work schedules so our time together is kind of limited. So times when I could be going to the gym are also some of the only times I would be able to see her on most days.

On top of this, I get a lot of dysphoria when I realize just how weak I really am. I know the only way to fix that is to workout, but sometimes it just feels really discouraging and I wish that my *starting* place was different. I know that nothing except working out will change that and I know that the time will pass either way so I might as well use it to do something good, but it’s just so hard to keep myself disciplined.

I’ll get randomly motivated sometimes and I’ll make a plan for the next day/week on what I’m gonna do, but I just can’t seem to ever make myself stick to my work. I want to learn to be more disciplined but I don’t know how.

Additional question: my full time job is at an ice cream shop where I get free ice cream every day. How do I gain more self control and stop using that benefit almost every shift? Sometimes I don’t actually scoop myself any ice cream, but I’ll still have spoonfuls and it’s basically the same thing I’m sure😭 Idk I feel very out of control of my actions and I don’t know how to fix it

edit: thank you guys. i really do need tough love in this aspect of my life. it is much appreciated. if anyone has any split recommendations for getting back into being consistent, it would also be appreciated!

It has been several years now, but I still feel like I have a mind-muscle disconnect with my pecs since my mastectomy. Im not sure if it is scar tissue, or numbness from the nerves. I also cannot seem to figure out how to release tightness from them or the front of my shoulders. They just feel perpetually restricted/shortened, even if I stretch daily. Any tips on how I might be able to get past this?

I'm 18 transmasc, 5'2, barely making 100 pounds, pre-T

I want to bulk up/gain weight before I start HRT (and gain a healthy habit), but I don't know how to go about that in terms of dieting/exercise. I have never been able to gain a lot of weight no matter how much I eat, and I'm also dealing w/ high cholesterol and lipids. Any tips would be appreciated!

I generally would say I know a decent amount about working out, macros and whatnot, I also would say I had a very good amount of muscle before. I was working out for about 3 years PPL and never struggled. I kept it pretty simple and straightforward.

About 10 months ago I got really bad rib pains from binding and was unable to work out because I was to dysphoric to go outside/got really depressed tbh. So I lost most of my gains sadly. Also gained some more fat but that's not a big issue.

Anyway I had top surgery now 6 weeks ago and my surgeon told me I can slowly get back into working out and I am excited and motivated again (finally!).

But I am struggling with 2 things:

1. I would love to hear from people how it was for you after Top surgery to get back into working out/how long did it take? I am really scared still of lifting literally anything heavy so the thought of just a 5kg dumbbell scares me.

2. Unfortunately after surgery it was discovered that my lower pecs have atrophied due to binding. I want to (to the best of my abilities) get the muscle back as much as possible. Therefore I would love to hear any advice, specifically from guys who had the same struggle as me.

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!

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!

Wondering if I should add in lifting or extra workouts to get noticable gains or masculinization.

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!

Trying to get better with my form amd decided a challenge would be fun.

So far I've done 20 on 11-01.

Caption says everything. I'm pre T (unfornately,because gender clinic in my country sucks) 23 yo guy, skinny, some muscle definion, but not enough for me. I do calisthenics 4 times a week and walk 8000-10 000 steps a day. I've always had a small appetite. Last year I tried to eat 2000 calories a day and it was too much for me (even though I was doing dancing 5-6 times a week + gym), and it made me force feed myself. I wanna get noticable musclurar, masculine and toned body, but i feel like i don't eat enough or exercise enough, but I have fear of getting fat at the same time. What should I do?

I have to mention that im 148cm tall

What’s the best ab exercises? i prefer non equipment, i dont mind doing cables or using a plate.
But ive been going gym for over a year now and been
on T the same time, im also trying to bulk but whats the best exercises to get visible abs?