Why does it take me weeks to lose a few pounds and my husband drops a pant size the minute he thinks about a diet?

Heather Sholl
Concierge Wellness Coach August 2021

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Why does it take me weeks to lose a few pounds and my husband drops a pant size the minute he thinks about a diet?

It’s not just you and it’s not just a cartoon meme! It has been scientifically proven that men lose weight more easily than women. There are a few key factors that determine weight loss, and the guys have an edge on us. Total body weight, percentage of muscle mass and testosterone have a direct relationship with weight loss. The more of each you have the more calories you burn. Of course, there are exceptions, but generally speaking here’s how it breaks down.

First, the more you weigh, the more calories you burn. Although this may sound counterintuitive considering people who carry extra weight perceive their metabolism to be slow, heavier people generally have higher metabolic rates to meet the fuel demands of their larger bodies. Second, the higher the percentage of muscle you have, the more calories you burn at all times. This is not to be mistaken for having “big” muscles, but the amount of your body that is muscle versus everything else. I always say, “while muscle does the work, the fat simply goes along for the ride.” This is why strength training is essential to long term fat loss. And finally, men have more testosterone which has a direct relationship with fat loss.

That one, we can’t do much about without some visibly questionable side effects! 

Now, all that said, they only lose weight at 15% greater rate, so it’s worthy of frustration but not enough to derail you! You can do it!!

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