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For people who are overweight, shedding pounds is a serious health concern. As the American Heart Association explains, maintaining a healthy body weight helps to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Even though the benefits of a healthy weight are well-known, often losing excess pounds is easier said than done. This is especially true for women.
To effectively lose weight and keep it off, women need to understand the unique requirements of their bodies and commit to long-term lifestyle changes. Look Better and Feel Better is committed to helping people feel their best with actionable weight loss strategies that really work. Read on for a starter guide to lasting weight loss for women.
TheLook Better Feel Better team can help you find the right approach to lose weight safely. Check out our blog post How to lose weight in your 40’s when the force is against you. To find out more, connect with us today.
Why weight loss is tougher for women
Women tend to struggle more than men to lose weight. The Cleveland Clinic reveals that female bodies generally have more fat and less muscle mass, resulting in a slower metabolic rate. Your metabolism is the body’s way of turning food into usable energy. A slow metabolism may result in food getting stored as fat instead of converted into energy.
Females also tend to struggle with hormonal issues that can result in fluctuating weight, such as menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy, and even the impacts of hormonal birth control. Additionally, men and women also differ in where they gain weight. Erchonia explains that women tend to gain fat in their hips, butt, and belly, while men are more prone to weight gain mainly in the abdominal region.
General diet and exercise changes to shed pounds
Losing weight and keeping it off requires lasting lifestyle changes. Moderation is the key. When it comes to exercise, for example, opt for a manageable routine you will stick to — instead of a super rigorous one you’ll be tempted to skip. Trust tech tools to keep you motivated. Fitness apps can guide your workouts, and many offer ways to help you track your progress.
When it comes to food, steer clear of starvation diets. Research shows that calorie restriction can cause the body to go into survival mode, storing fat instead of burning it. According to Healthline, such changes are linked to an increased risk of illnesses like diabetes. Instead, focus on getting a well-balanced diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
A personalized weight loss plan can pave the path to success
As mentioned, weight loss plans that work for men won’t necessarily work for women. Further, every person is unique. That’s why it’s important to come up with a personalized care plan that suits your needs. As Time reports, there’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” diet. Scientists have done the research and determined that even identical twins — who share almost the exact same genetic material — need their own weight loss plans.
The team at Look Better and Feel Better can help. They can tailor your diet and exercise according to your needs and wants. If you can’t stand high-intensity cardio workouts, for example, they can help you find an exercise regimen with activities that keep you engaged and interested. Stay tuned for our office hour program to get your individual questions answered.
Find additional motivators to keep yourself moving
Once you have your eating and exercise dialed in, it’s time to plan ahead for motivation. Most people start out on their weight loss journey with big goals, but often are sidelined by plateaus or disinterest in the same activity. Knowing this, it’s important to plan ahead. A great way to do this is by using SMART goals, these are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. By defining your goals and measuring your progress, it’s easier to stay on track. It also doesn’t hurt to have incentives to keep you moving. Perhaps you award yourself the smartwatch you’ve been wanting by the time you get down to a 14-minute mile, or perhaps your weight loss milestone is athletic wear that fits your new size. You don’t have to spend a lot either to reward yourself. Look for smartwatch deals that fit your budget, or a Nike or Finish Line coupon to save on athletic gear.
The above tips are specially designed to help women who want to lose weight. As you start your weight loss journey, keep the end goal in mind. This isn’t just about looking great. Ultimately, it’s about improving your health and wellbeing for the long haul.