So I'm intending to start HRT in the coming weeks, but my bodyweight is currently a fair bit heavier than where I'd ideally like to be. I've read some things about how a lot of the changes HRT makes to your body are dependent on weight gain or weight cycling, and that trying to stay in a very low calorie deficit can slow those changes.

If I maintain roughly caloric maintenance and do a significant amount of daily cardio to burn a few hundred calories on top of that, would this approach be viable for losing that excess weight over time while still giving my body enough nutrition to fuel the changes estrogen will bring? Or would I need to be in full on caloric surplus to get the most out of my hormones?