Maybe this isn’t the best place for this, maybe it is?

I’ve been thinking of changing my workout routine, but I’m not sure how?

For literally at least half of my life I’ve focused more on building muscle. Now I’m wondering, how can I workout and keep as much strength as possible, but lose some mass? I mean, I’m not extreme bodybuilder, but I’m nowhere near afab size.

Is it possible (pre-hormone) to mostly keep streng, but lose mass? I wish a lot of me was smaller, especially neck, shoulders, thighs, and belly. Not totally sure how(or if) I can make changes pre-hrt to get more feminine? I don’t want to lose too much strength, but I’m fairly big so I’d like to lose some mass.

I guess most of my routine is 3 sets of 8-12 reps in various exercises focusing on larger groups of muscles(e.g. Push-up, pull-up, - dips…)

Edit: not sure if it was clear enough, I’d love to lose some mass/size, but as much as possible, not lose strength. Does that make sense? I totally get there is a tradeoff, but I’m not sure how to switch up working out to lose mass? I think I’d like to be smaller (help me to pass?) but I feel like any strength training at all is inherently somewhat bulky? At least from a feminine pov?

  • Squished Fly (she/they)
    2•4 months ago

    I’ll be honest and say that I know next to nothing about workout thingies. But my brother does. He once told me something that I think could have a lot of truth in it:

    Workout is for building muscle. Losing weight is something you do in the kitchen.

    I really don’t want to encourage you to starve yourself tho. The best advice that I am able to give you is to maybe get into calorie counting.

    Also, there is nothing wrong with being a little more on the bulky side. I’ve got several afab friends that are a little bigger and they still look amazing.