Do Men and Women Lose Weight Differently?

Have you ever gone on a diet with your significant other and noticed that men and women lose weight differently? Ladies, if you’re struggling with the fact that the pounds aren’t flying off as fast as your man’s, don’t be discouraged. Stay motivated. It’s been scientifically proven that men and women do lose weight differently. 

Guys, maybe you’ve heard your female friends complain that they just can’t shed the pounds, and wondered “Why?” GR8NESS is here to explain the differences when it comes to men, women, and weight loss.

The Biology of Weight Loss for Men and Women

It’s no secret that men and women have very different body types. Women naturally have a higher percentage of body fat, whereas men have a higher percentage of lean muscle. This isn’t the result of who works out more, or who eats what. It’s the result of pure biology. These differences in body composition lead to differences in metabolic rates and weight loss.

Fat Type and Distribution

It’s not just the difference in metabolic rate between men and women that causes men to lose weight more quickly than women. The type and distribution of body fat also play a huge role. Men mostly carry their fat around their mid-sections and women in their lower bodies.

The Fat Type

The mid-section fat that men carry is often visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs. The type of fat that women typically carry is known as subcutaneous fat, which lies around their hips, buttocks, and upper thighs and is just below the surface of the skin.

The Distribution Issue

The reason that women carry fat this way is a biological mechanism meant to improve the process of childbearing. Women also have more fatty tissue in their breasts compared to men, leading to a higher percentage of body fat by default.

When the visceral fat that men carry more of is burned off, their metabolic rate increases, enabling them to lose weight even faster. Burning off the subcutaneous fat that women typically carry more does not have this same metabolic effect. The result is that men can lose weight more quickly than women.

Body Size

Additionally, men are typically larger than women, taller and broader. Their physically larger size means that they often have more weight available to lose than women. Add this to the fact that they have a higher percentage of lean muscle. Now, you can understand why men and women lose weight differently.

Ladies, Don’t Get Discouraged

It can be frustrating when you’re hitting the gym, prepping your meals, and counting your calories only to see the numbers on the scale remain the same. Ladies, don’t get discouraged. While it does take women longer to lose weight than men, ultimately, the battle can be overcome with dedication.

Remember, your bodies are built beautifully with biology in mind, and the process is natural. If you need some extra motivation, check out our 7-Day Challenge to Kick-Start Your Weight Management Program and helpful tips for dealing with weight-loss frustration.