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Q. Why do men lose weight faster than women? Why do men not have to work as hard to get back in shape?
A. This deals typically with muscle mass. Muscle burns calories, so the individual with more muscles is able to burn more calories. Genetically, men have more muscles than women, and therefore burn more calories. However, if a man started out with the same body fat PERCENTAGE as a woman, then he doesn’t have it any easier than her. Further, when comparing fat loss between the genders, factors such as lifestyle, training level, eating habits, and genetics must be considered. So hard work is relative and isn’t reserved for only women.
Also, some have theorized that because women are the “child-bearing” ones between men and women, Mother Nature has blessed women with the ability to resist weight loss in order to still keep the baby alive while pregnant. This is why they carry their more fat in the abs, thighs and hips, or child-bearing areas. That’s a theory only. Both make sense. Female bodybuilders have to usually do more hours of cardio versus male bodybuilders. It’s a tough hand dealt to women, but that’s the way it goes.
I’m not sure what men do “not have to work as hard” means? Does it mean men can eat less calories and do less cardio? Women need to understand that when you have more muscle, you crave to eat more food. So trust me, they’re working hard in other ways too. Decreasing levels of progesterone in women seem to increase hunger as well, and this seems to be another poor hand dealt to women, however, this cycle is temporary and not all women respond the same way. Women still lose weight while experiencing this.
We have all met women who seemingly can eat all they want and not put on weight and men who have difficulty losing weight yet gain weight easily – the answer comes down to body composition. The higher a person’s percent muscle mass, the faster their metabolism. Percent muscle mass is genetic on some level, but, in both women and men, is influenced through proper strength and cardiovascular training. - Tracey Downing
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