Top 7 reasons why it can be difficult for women to lose weight

Women have a lower metabolic rate than men by nature.

Top 7 reasons why it can be difficult for women to lose weight
Female body composition usually outnumbers male body composition.

Women have a lower metabolic rate than men by nature. This means that your body uses fewer calories (units of energy) to fuel normal body functions such as breathing, thinking, and blood circulation. Excess calories are stored as fat.

Furthermore, female body composition typically exceeds the number male body composition. In other words, men generally gain pounds that have been made up of far more muscle than fat, lowering their Body Mass Index (BMI). Even at rest, muscle burns more calories than fat, which is convenient for men.

By nature, women have a lower metabolic rate than men (Image courtesy - iStock photo)

What are the effects of obesity on women?

Obesity affects approximately 37 % of adults. Women's obesity rates have risen faster than men's in recent years. In 2018, 20.7% of women had severe obesity, compared to 18.9% of men. A body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 indicates severe obesity.

What are the factors affecting weight loss in women?

  1. Metabolism

Women have more body fat and less muscle mass than men. And this has an impact on your basic metabolic rate, or how many calories your body burns at rest.

Women have more fat on their bodies and less muscle mass than men (Image courtesy - iStock photo)

2. Effects of pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant, she gains weight and increases her body fat. Furthermore, it is frequently difficult for a new mother to find time to exercise and sleep. And she'll need both to lose weight.

When a woman becomes pregnant, she gains weight, and her body fat increases (Image courtesy - iStock photo)

3. Menopause

Because of hormone loss and a slower metabolism, women gain weight in their abdomen during menopause.

Women gain weight in their abdomen during menopause due to hormone loss and a slower metabolism (Image courtesy - iStock photo)

4. PCOS difficulties

Polycystic ovary syndrome affects between 5% and 10% of women (PCOS). This is a condition marked by a hormonal imbalance that makes losing weight difficult and causes menstruation abnormalities.

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) (Image courtesy - iStock photo)

As we age, our muscles, hormones, metabolism, and other body systems change. (In other words, it's difficult.) However, seven major factors could be held responsible if your trousers are beginning to feel tighter these days.

  1. You're eating less but choosing unhealthy foods

It is certainly possible to lose approximately 10% of your total body weight through diet alone. However, if you want to lose more weight, you must change the type of food you eat rather than simply cutting calories.

2. You're not getting enough plant-based protein

Protein has several advantages: it fills you up (which means you'll eat less food over time) and it helps you build muscle, skin, and healthy bones. However, not all protein is created equal when it comes to weight loss. equal. Overconsumption of animal protein (and the fat that usually comes with it) can lead to weight gain and other health problems such as diabetes.

3. You are not consuming whole foods

Nutritionists have long known that diets rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein, produce better weight-loss results than those high in processed foods (like cereal, crackers, and prepackaged meals).

Consuming whole foods aids in weight loss (Image courtesy - iStock photo)

4. You're not getting enough sleep

Working the night shift puts you at a significant disadvantage. He explains that disrupting your circadian rhythm can lead to weight gain—and switching back and forth between night and day shifts, as many people do to spend more time with family, is the worst of all. It's just a constant disruption to an otherwise normal, healthy sleep-wake cycle.

5. You have a medical condition that makes it more difficult

Any medical condition that affects your hormones (such as hypothyroidism or polycystic ovary syndrome), insulin levels (such as diabetes), or blood pressure (such as heart disease) will make losing weight more difficult.

6. You take certain medications

A possible hidden reason for your inability to lose weight: You're taking a medication that has the potential to cause weight gain as a side effect. Diabetes medications, antidepressants, and steroid medications are examples of such medications.

Some medications disable lose weight (Image courtesy - iStock photo)

7. Genetics

Definite considerations that may be contributing to your inability to lose weight are beyond your control. Obesity has a strong genetic component, according to research. According to twin studies, between 60% and 90% of your predisposition to obesity may be genetic. If you're having trouble losing weight, it could be due to your genes.

SUMMARY

It's understandably frustrating to be unable to lose weight despite doing everything right. Knowing why you aren't losing weight can help you get back on track with your weight loss goals. Remember that being healthy is more important than looking a certain way. Rather than focusing solely on the numbers on the scale, focus on becoming a healthier and better version of yourself.

Jayti Shah is a Clinical Nutritionist with a master's degree in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics. She is a member of the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA). Over the last 9 years, she has helped 400 clients in their clinical and weight loss journeys. She works with SocialBoat as a nutrition consultant. We hope this article helps you to understand why women find it hard to lose weight.

At SocialBoat, we offer you custom diet plans and guided workouts to help you achieve your goals in a 360-degree approach. Our gamified experience ensures that you don’t find workouts boring and we reward you for being consistent with your efforts.

Join the SocialBoat Fitness app