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Women and Losing Weight
If you are a woman, you have no doubt had
this thought: why is it so easy for men to lose weight? Or how about this
one: how can he eat so much and not gain weight? It seems a bit unfair that
men can seemingly eat more and not gain weight. Unfortunately, it is due in
large part to each gender’s physiology.
Through the many years of human development, men have simply evolved into
having more muscle mass than women. It likely stems from the days of the
hunter-gatherers, when men had to seek out food in a variety of climate
conditions. The extra muscle mass gave them the ability to contend with
large prey, as well as use their energy more efficiently. Women, on the
other hand, naturally have more body fat.
The extra fat is necessary for the extra
caloric requirements necessary for
pregnancy and breastfeeding.
As a result of having more muscle mass, men are able to
consume more calories than women each
day without gaining excess weight. And, the extra muscle mass also means
that men burn calories faster than women. But,
this does not mean that men cannot gain fat. On the contrary! And where they
gain their fat puts them at a distinct health disadvantage to women.
When men gain fat, it usually deposits in the
midsection (apple shape).
We’ve all seen men with the “beer gut”. Women, however, tend to deposit fat
in the lower abdominal area and hips and thigh region (pear shape).
Fat that is stored in the midsection
(apple shape), or closest to the heart, can lead to an increased risk of
heart disease. Find out more about Body
Types here!
Just because women have nature working against them, doesn’t mean that they
can’t gain muscle mass and fight back. Women can gain muscle through weight
and strength training. By increasing muscle mass in the body, fat deposits
will also decrease. The more muscle mass you have, the
more calories you burn at
rest, and the more toned and energetic you will be. Also, you will be able
to eat a few more calories than before.
Just make sure those calories aren’t cookies!
Losing weight and keeping it off is a struggle for women and men (though it
might seem like less of a struggle for men!). The keys to being a healthy
woman and maintaining a healthy weight are to
eat a balanced diet filled with fresh foods, and to exercise regularly.
And don’t skip meals; in fact, it is best to eat 5 or 6 small, healthy meals
each day, in order to keep your metabolism high
and energy levels balanced.
Men might have nature on their sides, but it doesn’t mean that women can’t
be just as lean and strong as the so-called stronger sex!
Eating During Pregnancy
Eating after Pregnancy
Permanent weight loss
Reduce
Weight Slowly
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