If you've ever noticed that your husband can easily drop 10 lb. while you can barely manage one, you're not alone. Many women are puzzled by this phenomenon, which can be explained by examining men's and women's different body types. And while you can't change the genes that make it harder for you to lose weight, you can change your metabolism and your body by choosing the right foods and activities.
Men vs. Women
The main reason that men lose weight easier than women is that they have faster metabolisms. Men naturally have more muscle mass and larger muscle fibers than women, who tend to have higher fat contents, according to a 2010 article in "The Globe and Mail" written by Shelley Sharma-Thakrar, a physiotherapist at Women's College Hospital in Toronto. The extra muscle that men carry increases their basal metabolic rates, so they burn more calories both at rest and during exercise. In addition, the taller you are, the greater your metabolism, so men's extra inches give them even more calorie-burning advantages over women.
How Exercise Affects Metabolism
Regular cardio exercise is critical for losing weight, since it can burn hundreds of calories in a short period of time. But women who focus only on aerobic exercise are doing their bodies a disservice by neglecting strength training. Muscle-building exercises can help even the playing field between men and women because increasing your lean muscle mass increases your metabolism, helping you burn more calories and lose weight faster. Many women avoid strength training, unaware of the link between muscle and metabolism and afraid of looking bulky. But the female body isn't designed to build large muscles , so there's no reason for women to skip the weights. Aim for two or three 30-minute strength-training sessions per week, making sure to work all your muscles equally, and take at least one day off between sessions to allow the muscles to repair themselves.
Watching Calories
Many women who dine with their spouses or boyfriends find themselves eating just as much as their partners, even when it's more food than they need to fill up. If you're trying to lose weight, keep in mind that he probably has greater calorie needs than you so you shouldn't be serving up equal portions for both of you. To avoid being influenced by your spouse's eating habits, try filling up your own plate and letting him serve himself. If that doesn't work, double up on your vegetable or fruit portion while cutting back on the meat and starch so your plate looks just as full as his but doesn't contain as many calories.
Losing Weight With a Partner
While trying to match a man calorie for calorie or pound for pound isn't a good weight loss strategy for women, your partner can still help you lose weight. An Indiana University study conducted by John Raglin and Janet P. Wallace found that only eight percent of couples who worked out with a spouse quit their exercise routine, compared to half of people who exercised without their partners. Plan workouts that you and your spouse can enjoy together, and let yourself feel motivated by his weight loss successes, rather than being envious.
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