Weight Loss: Men vs. Women

Weight loss simply means a process through which an individual loses weight. This is more easy said than done. For most of us, gaining weight is easy, but losing it is tough. Actually, losing weight isn't difficult, but it takes dedication and patience because it's a slow process that has to last a lifetime. Dedication, sacrifice, and persistence are key ingredients to any successful weight loss plan.

But when couples try to lose weight together, husbands tend to drop the weight a lot faster than the wives. That is because men and women are different. And unfortunately men have a competitive advantage when it comes to weight loss. Here is how they are different:

• Genetics: Men's bodies naturally contain less fat and more muscle than women's due to the male hormone testosterone. On the other hand, the female hormone (estrogen) works to keep the fat on a woman's body. The extra fat is necessary for the extra caloric requirements necessary for pregnancy and breastfeeding. A normal range for body fat percentage in women is 18 to 25 percent, while a normal range for men is 12 to 20 percent.

• Metabolism: It is believed that fat cells have different biochemical receptors or triggers. One kind of receptor which cause the storage of fat - alpha receptors, and the other kind of receptors which cause the release of fat - beta receptors. Women tend to have a greater number of alpha receptors in the hip and thigh regions, favoring the storage of fat rather than its mobilization. Men naturally have a faster metabolism then women, primarily due to their body composition having more lean muscle.

• Strength training: More men do strength training while women neglect this key element of the fat burning equation. Strength training not only help build lean muscle but will also strengthen your bones. Women, with a little work, can increase their muscle mass and decrease fat stores by doing strength training at least twice a week.

• Exercise intensity: The lung capacity of men is 25 to 30 percent greater than that of women. This gives men advantage in doing aerobic workouts like running. Even if the women are working at the same level as men they may feel as though they are working harder.

• Cravings: Men tend to have a bigger craving for protein where as women have a bigger craving for carbs and carbs turn into fat far more easily than protein. Another difference is that women, more so than men, are emotional eaters and frequently list overeating triggers such as mood, stress, depression, and low self-esteem.

One area where women have the edge is the region where fat gets deposited. In men, the deposited fat most often goes to their middles or abdomen, while women's excess fat tends to settle below the belt (hips and thighs). And it turns out that people who gain abdominal fat are at higher risk of developing heart disease than those who accumulate fat in other areas.

When it comes to weight loss, the journey is very personalized. It's always best to avoid comparing yourself to others. Most importantly weight loss should be about learning how to eat right and live right to improve overall health and fitness.