5 reasons why men burn fat faster than women:
If you are female, I am sure you have figured out by now that men seem to burn fat much faster than we do. Well, I have been researching this and came up with some reasons to help explain why this happens. It isn’t fair, but most things in life aren’t. It does make me feel better though to know that there are valid reasons why this happens. I am no expert, but these are things that I consistently found on several sites a while back. I have written this based off of notes I took for myself.
- Testosterone and other male hormones help increase the metabolic rate and efficiency in men.
These hormones help increase muscle mass in men,and allow their bodies to lose fat faster. Women have much less testosterone so we do not reap the same rewards.
- Women naturally have more fat than muscle
Our bodies were built for very different purposes than men’s bodies. We require extra fat to carry and to nurse babies. Another disparaging fact is how we carry our fat. Men tend to carry their fat in their upper bodies which is easier to shed. Women tend to carry extra fat in their lower bodies, and when we lose weight, we lose from our upper bodies first, which can be quite frustrating.
- Menstrual Cycle
Obviously this is a female issue. When we have hormonal changes each month, the fat cells in our body retain water. I am certain you have all noticed this. As these fat cells get bigger with the water retention, it makes it harder for our bodies to metabolize fat. Not only does this mean we are gaining water weight, it’s also slowing down weight loss due to slower metabolic rate.
- Progesterone
I took special note of this because it is a hormone I have battled for over a decade. Before I had kids, and was skinnier, I didn’t realize I had a shortage of this hormone. After several miscarriages, my OB discovered the shortage and I had to take supplements. Because I ended up with a few back to back pregnancies, I was on these supplements for some time. I am wondering now if those supplements didn’t work too well, and perhaps I have an excess supply! Progesterone can trigger hunger in women, make us feel sleepy, and less inclined to exercise, thus resulting in weight gain. I don’t want to complain too much about this though, because I am grateful that the supplements fixed my fertility issue and allowed me to have children.
- Estrogen
Menopause (or any reduction in the production of estrogen) can result in excess weight in the chest and tummy areas. As we get older, we gain fat and lose muscle, and when our skin begins to sag it loses its ability to hold onto fat cells, and the result is yucky cellulite. There are so many pros and cons to estrogen supplements, but this is just one thing to take into consideration when you are making the best choice for yourself.
Female hormones provide us with many great benefits, but can impair weight loss. It is important to understand how our bodies work so we can best work with them to lose weight and stay healthy.
Nicole Carter says
No fair!!!!!!!!!!! Period!
Jennifer Johansen says
Men are also not under close scrutiny for their weight by the media, and don’t get fat-shamed for being at a normal and healthy weight. So, there’s that.
Richard Hicks says
try to eat smaller portions at the dinner table. It works!
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
Mya Murphy says
I’m 38, have always been a health nut. I have now got horrible health, and look what eating right and exercising has done for me…nothing! So, I live for the moment. I’m going to HAVE that apple pie IF I want it! I’m going to NOT exercise and kill myself…Sorry, if you disagree with me, but after diabetes, and major depression, and thyroid issues, blood sugar, cholesterol issues, blood pressure issues attacked me, I don’t give a care anymore.
kathy pease says
i want to lose 20 more lbs before the holidays
Stacey Roberson says
Get into a routine and stick to it. Workout at least an hour a day, 4-5 days a week. And drink plenty of water!
Deanna G. says
I’d like to eat more veggies.
Wendy T says
Here’s what I don’t understand. I’m down 14 pounds in the last couple months, and I am NOT down a pants size. How is this even possible? I don’t know…it is frustrating as all get out!
Morgan Lepley Edger says
Jogging and lots of water! Easy peasy! 🙂
Cori Westphal says
I’ve been trying to drop the last 10 pounds by doing a lot of running!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Cynthia C says
I do my dieting at the grocery store. I only buy what’s good for me. If it’s not in the house, I can’t eat it!
Lanie K. says
Eat all the fruits and veggies you want. Eat lots of protein and less processed foods. It helps to write down what you eat at the beginning so you can hold yourself accountable for what you put in your mouth. Ive been dieting for way to long, you would think I would be a twig with all the things ive learned.
LaProfesoraFrida says
Yup, I always knew it was harder for women to lose weight than men. Solid anthropology solves that mystery! 🙂
Pamela Halligan says
I knew there had to be good reasons why men shed fat faster than women. It just doesn’t seem fair! We’re just designed differently. We also need to be more accepting of ourselves. That pic is great, by the way. Made me smile as soon as I saw it. Thanks for sharing.
corey says
As a famiy, we made small changes. We switched from 2%milk to 1% and a few months later to skimmed milk, and now nobody notices the difference. Again, we went from white, to 60%whole wheat bread to 100%whole wheat and at home, multigrained bread. Little by little, every few months. Mayanaise, cheese, yogurt… same thing.
Michelle Hofer says
Right now my focus is on my pregnancy so I’m not trying to lose weight but I definately like to watch what I eat and my goal is to start exercising more.
Shantell J says
My health living goal will be to lose right now like 20 lbs I just had a baby and need to get back in the habit of walking and running.
crystal lane says
Go to the gym with a friend or family member so you will be more motivated to work out.
Nena Sinclair says
If you can find a friend and come up with weight loss goals, meal plans and exercise routines, it’ll make it easier than going it on your own.
nikki robak says
I am trying to exercise more
Jennifer Johansen says
Keep a food journal. You’re less likely to indulge in snacks when you know you have to write down everything you’ve put in your mouth.
Lisa Brown says
Eat a varies and balanced diet to stay healthy.