Unique Challenges Women Face When Trying to Lose Weight

Not long ago, everyone believed weight loss was easy because you only needed the willpower to cut calories and increase exercise. Now we know better.

In reality, the complex interactions between hormones, nutrients, genes, and their roles in weight regulation often work against your best efforts, making weight loss an uphill struggle.

As if that’s not enough, women face more weight-loss challenges than men.

Chetanna Okasi, MD, at Women’s Wellness MD, understands women’s unique challenges and works with each person to create a customized weight-loss plan. Our team gives you the best chance to reach your weight goals and achieve long-lasting success.

Women’s weight-loss challenges

These are the four primary weight-loss challenges unique to women:

1. More body fat

Women naturally carry more body fat and less muscle than men. Body fat accounts for 25-30% of body weight in women and 18%-23% in men.

How do these differences affect weight loss? More body fat makes it harder to lose weight. Muscles fire up your metabolism. Having less muscle mass slows it down, and you burn fewer calories.

2. Hormone changes

Women’s hormones pose unique challenges to weight loss. Here are three examples:

Estrogen

Estrogen regulates appetite, fat storage, and glucose and fat metabolism. Low estrogen, whether caused by monthly cycles, health problems, or menopause, slows your metabolism, promotes fat storage, and increases weight gain in your abdomen.

Estrogen deficiencies also contribute to muscle loss and make you more vulnerable to insulin resistance. If your body can’t use insulin, blood sugar levels rise, triggering your body to store more fat.

Thyroid hormones

Women are 5-8 times more likely to have thyroid disease compared to men. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) produces fewer hormones. The result is a slower metabolism, burning fewer calories, and gaining weight.

Thyroid hormones also affect your muscles. When levels fall, you can lose muscle mass and develop muscle weakness.

3. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS develops when women have higher-than-normal levels of two hormones: androgens and insulin. Both hormones contribute to weight gain by increasing hunger, promoting fat storage, and stopping your body from burning stored fat.

4. Body composition

The fat in some body areas may be more resistant to diet and exercise than others. Though each person has stubborn fat areas, women are more likely to face resistant fat because they carry weight in more areas than men.

Women mainly gain weight in their hips, buttocks, and thighs until an estrogen deficiency at menopause starts adding weight to their belly. By comparison, men typically gain fat in the abdomen.

Medically supervised weight loss is the solution

Joining a medically supervised weight-loss program is the best way to ensure your hard work pays off with sustainable results. Here are the top four benefits you gain from our weight loss program:

Benefit 1: Medical evaluation

Now that you know how women’s hormonal imbalances work against weight loss, you can appreciate the value of getting a thorough medical evaluation before starting your weight loss journey.

In addition to finding and treating hormone imbalances, we identify health concerns to consider when planning your diet and exercise regimen, such as chronic health conditions and nutrient imbalances.

Benefit 2: Weight-loss medications

Prescription weight-loss medications support your success by boosting weight loss. Often, patients use medications together with diet and exercise.

Benefit 3: Expert guidance

We offer guidance and information whether you need help determining optimal calorie intake, creating a meal plan that fits your lifestyle, choosing an exercise routine, or managing stress.

Benefit 4: Support team

A support team who understands your unique challenges is crucial for your success. Our team offers encouragement, helps keep you motivated, and gently holds you accountable.

Take the next step toward weight loss

Connect with Women’s Wellness MD by calling the office in Columbia or Greenbelt, Maryland, or using online booking today if you need exceptional weight loss support from our caring, experienced team.