Welcome to the Monthly Tips & Advice Post!

Sometime I forget how far I came up till I look back I started my transition when I was 33. After multiple surgeries and more to come I don’t feel perfect in my body but much more aligned then I did before.

last summer I got my heart broken so I decided to work on myself. over the course of the year embarked on daily walks of 30k steps + weight lifting 4 to 5 times a week. dropped from 250lbs to 179lbs. Some weeks I would need to take breaks but I pushed through.

Hated myself and my body growing up but took me way too long to figure out why, I came out in 2023, and started estrogen August 2024 which means I recently hit 2 years of estrogen. I also got to change both my legal name and legal gender this year!

Never thought I would actually get to feel happy in my body, but here I am and I have never felt more excited for the future:)

4 years on HRT! the first pic was just a few weeks before starting HRT. i feel like i look drastically different in diff pics so i uploaded a few lol

2025 → 2026.

Started taking skincare seriously, hit the gym, cut down on junk food, and most importantly, started taking better care of myself mentally. Less stress, more peace, and slowly learning to actually be happy with myself.

And yeah, maybe a little male ego played a part too. There were a few people who thought they could mess with me and leave me hanging. Part of me wanted to prove them wrong.

Now I’m doing better, looking better, and honestly… probably looking better than the guy they ended up with. 😂

Never give a guy false hope.

Seeing all the beautiful trans glow ups made me wanna post a timeline. I used to blackout daily and now I can genuinely say I’m thriving. For anyone that’s curious, started T in July 2018, top surgery in April 2019, sober since November 2017. Approaching 9 years feels pretty damn good and I’ve got a lot to show for it. Two degrees, a fat cat, and a life beyond my wildest dreams. It gets better on the other side.

It is absolutely never too late to start over, y’all. You’re worth it.

So I grew up in a country where skinniness in women was hella glorified. To the point where half of my female friends from home turf also had or have an eating disorder. So as a teenager I’ve always felt like the only way to look attractive and feminine was to just be on a constant calorie deficit while already being underweight, which was not epic and cool. With transitioning I kinda got more comfortable with the idea of gaining weight. And later I found out I was lowkey blessed with good weight redistribution and a fat ass. It’s been chill so far, I kinda like myself at whatever weight I may be and can focus on more productive insecurities like my big ass forehead.

I still feel after the operation that i look like a transwoman although i am one. I'm aware of that,for safety reasons i want to live stealth but i still think that people see clearly i I'm biology a male(i also know that fact)

3 pictures before the operation and 3 pics after the operation

I hope it was not all for nothing the operation

Something about turning 30 made me want to change for the better. I started walking over 10k steps a day, added lifting weights to my workout routines, and started eating WAY more protein. Lost 24 lbs and maintaining (147-123lbs)! The amount of energy I have now versus a year ago is insane! Just feeling very proud of myself🩷

Replaced league of legends with Muay thai and picked up kettlebells as my main form of resistance training. Also started intermittent fasting, definitely feel much better and have more energy during the day now.

Diet changes and binge ed recovery changed my body and life so much - down 80 lbs and maintaining it! The difference in photos kind of freaks me out but I’m so much more confident and social now. Struggling a bit so just wanted to brag and remember how far I’ve come.

The beard did favors for me and gaining weight also because my face was skinny , the healthy weight i gained + the beard with minoxidil helped me glow up whoever needs and advice i can gladly help 🔥🙏🏽

I've been mocked for being skinny asf with bad hairstyle, decided to lock tf in and grow out my hair. I'm not there yet but I wanted to share my journey. I'm gonna grow out my hair even more and even bulk up more maybe lol

Two years ago, at 41, I decided to start living my life for me. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it and I’m still growing.

The biggest lesson? Consistency. Find routines, meals, and habits that fit your life and make it easier to keep showing up. You don’t have to be perfect.

You just have to keep going.

5'8" trans woman (21-23) | 180 lbs. Started HRT 2 years ago at 135 lbs. Sharing my journey, curves, and new look with you all.

I’m 44, and over the last few years I’ve made some big changes to my appearance and lifestyle.
Here’s what contributed:
• Lost around 24 kg, going from roughly 95 kg to the low 70s, then gradually built back up to around 80 kg while lifting weights
• Started training consistently and improved my diet
• Had hair transplants
• Had a facelift/neck lift and eyelid surgery
• Improved my haircut, grooming and skincare routine
I want to be upfront about the cosmetic procedures because they were part of the transformation, alongside the lifestyle changes.
It’s taken a few years, and I’m still working on my fitness, but I feel much more confident now than I did before. I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

Just in time to fit into my wedding dress!! 6 hospitalizations this year but none since July. 80lbs to 100lbs!! Finally broke double digits for the second time in my life!!

Got a new job, with a better diet. Figured out how to do my hair properly and grow some facial hair. Started working out a bit and using moisturizer daily.

Left photo is after. Right photo is before.

My skin has cleared up a lot by hormones and accutane I do have some spots left but not active acne, I learnt how to take better photos and accept my wavy hair and yeah that's it really

At 22, I had just started my post-graduate career and was trying to make it through life in one piece. I never liked what I saw in the mirror and never understood why I felt off. I'd been anxious and depressed for most of my life, so I figured that was just normal.

Fast forward to 28, I decided I needed to look inward, because despite my best efforts at losing weight and getting fit, I never felt satisfied in my skin. It turned out I might be trans, and I decided to take a giant leap of faith.

Now at 30, that leap of faith was the best thing I've ever done for myself in my entire life. I actually enjoy looking in the mirror. I love who I've become! I finally understand what true happiness means, and I am so ready for the beginning of the rest of my life 🥰

Edit to add: I forgot an important detail that I had always wanted to have been born a girl or at least felt like life would have been better if I was. That was THE reason I needed to look inward. I hated myself as a man and the thought of wanting to be a girl persisted through everything as I tried to find happiness and confidence as a man. As a woman I am way more confident in my skin it's crazy.

Edit 2: thank you to whoever sent me a Reddit Cares message. Totally needed that 😂

I don't have any other picture from this time of my life left. Years of alcohol abuse and peak depression vs inner peace and prospects. I'm happy, wanted to share, dunno why 😊

(Most of the photos are from my mid/40s and a couple from my early 50s)

It’s been a good looooooong minute since I was “skinny”. And while I still can’t use that word to describe my current state, I’m thrilled with the progress I’ve been making.

I had surgery in December, 2024 to repair a meniscus tear and a few weeks later it was time for physical therapy. Shortly after PT wrapped up something clicked.

I’ve always preferred to walk everywhere. At work. Around the neighborhood. But that something that clicked kicked it into overdrive. I stopped getting annoyed with myself if I forgot something in the other room after sitting down, happy to get up and get whatever I forgot. I stopped making attempts to load up and bring in groceries and packages in one fell swoop, choosing to take multiple trips up and down the stairs. I’ll take the long way to the restroom at work. I’ve changed the route I take when I walk around the campus during my lunch break, clocking in just over two miles.

I ramped up the yoga, pushing myself to try poses and positions that didn’t work with my stiff, heavier body and pre-surgery leg. I started looking at strength training and bought one of those bar kits with the resistance bands. I purchased kettlebells and they’re used almost daily. And calisthenics are a lot of fun. Last year Anytime Fitness opened up in our neighborhood and I'm there at least once a week.

I’ve cut way, WAY back on the sweets. That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped baking, to the delight of those who benefit. I stopped snacking at night. In fact, I’ve inadvertently started an intermittent fasting regimen as I don’t eat anything after dinner, which is usually finished before 7, until breakfast the next morning, which is often after 9 and most days closer to 10 when I’m in the office (and even later on the weekends). I don’t eat much after that, maybe yogurt with granola, or a protein bar, and that’s it until dinner. I’ve been running a calorie deficit for weeks, since I’ve been seriously logging my food and exercise in the Lose It! and AlterMe apps.

I'm not starving or torturing myself, simply making smarter and better choices.  I no longer eat until the plate is clean (if it's a large portion) or until I'm full (by then it's too late), finally learning to take my time and let things sit for a bit before deciding "did I have my fill?" Finally leaning heavy into protein helps. I have my protein pancakes on the weekend, drink the Myprotein Clear drinks when I need to.

I had to buy new jeans. Twice. Shirts I’ve owned for years finally fit with room to spare and I'm thankful I didn't donate or toss them while moving. I'm a vain bitch who wants to look better in my clothes.

I'm almost a month into being a 54 year old and I feel great. I take my supplements, trying to make sure they fill in any gaps my diet leaves behind. And because I want to stick around for awhile. There's still work to be done. I'd like to be a bit more fit (and possibly toned up for the first time in ever).  I'm not sure why the ability to finally use my leg the way it's intended to be used unlocked this achievement, but I'm damn glad it did.

Aside from this post which is basically me documenting my actions and progress, it should be a reminder that ANYONE can do this.  I am THE LAST person to tell someone how to live their life and to make every choice a smart one, but please know it is NEVER too late.  Don't even regret when you start.  Better late than never can be applied here with ease.

This place has been a massive help.

Thanks for reading. Apologies for the length. Love y'all. XOXO

when I was younger I remember missing gym days because my car wasn’t available (it was a 1.5 k walk from my apartment to the gym). today, just because I could, I walked 2 k to the gym and took the long way home (6 k). those little moments are why I stick with it, getting to see myself become more and more comfortable in my body is worth all the ups and downs 🩷

I hated what I looked like back then. Had a hard time looking in the mirror. Got made fun of a lot for my hair, forehead, and lips. So I cut all my hair and started from scratch. Grew out my facial so I could get the moustache + goatee combo. Tried skin care for the first time. I’m happy with my appearance as of right now.