WHY do men lose weight faster than women?

prizmpyxis · 08-10-2007, 10:19 PM

Hi everyone,

I am just really frustrated at the moment, but here goes. Basically I have been trying to lose weight for a long time now...and I just can't seem to do it. I'm not fat, I don't even think I'm overweight but I just want to lose 10-15 pounds!! I'm 5'6 right now and I weigh around 150...but here's what REALLY gets me.
My boyfriend is the exact same size as me. We are the same height, and we WERE around the exact same weight (he weighed about 3-5 pounds more than me). He LOVES pizza and can eat as many as 4 slices in one sitting. He also eats these disgustingly unhealthy egg sandwiches at least 4 or 5 times a week. I think that I eat pretty healthy. I hardly ever eat fast food, and if I'm eating something like ice cream I ALWAYS eat the one that has half the fat and calories. I also eat a lot of fruit and vegetables...which he eats hardly none of.
Anyway, during the last month my boyfriend's family and friends started to tell him that he was getting "a gut". Personally, I think that they are insane and I don't think he's EVER had a gut...but multiple people told him this...so he decided to go on a diet. He lost about 10 pounds in a week or two!!! He weighs 144-145! It's so unfair!!!! I'm sitting here feeling so bad about myself because my boyfriend now weighs less than me and he didn't even have to work at it! I am trying SO hard. What am I doing wrong? And another thing, WHY do men lose weight faster!?!?!?

JadedStar · 08-10-2007, 10:26 PM

Men typically have more muscle, and muscle burns more calories than fat. A person with good muscle mass burns more calories doing the same thing (exertion) as someone with less.

Women also store fat moreso in the hips, abdomen and thigh area then men, so while your weight loss might be comparable at times, it doesn't seem that way do to the stubbornness of fat in those areas. We are also more prone to that ghastly CELLULITE that seems immovable with many exercise and dieting techniques.

Lastly, since men are typically larger and simply by design they are allotted more calories per day to sustain then we women.

prizmpyxis · 08-10-2007, 10:30 PM

Thanks Jaded.
Even though it's still unfair and sucks, I feel better knowing that I'm not doing anything really wrong. haha

IronLion85 · 08-10-2007, 10:33 PM

I'd say it's the difference between testosterone and estrogen. If I'm not mistaken women with higher levels of testosterone tend to be lighter and lose weight more quickly. I know I gain and lose weight very, very quickly if I start running and working out, or drinking a lot of beer and eating junk.

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor or scientist, the above is just what I've understood to be the case

.

Edit: I'm known to eat entire medium pizzas and am not overweight, though my arteries may all be clogged.

Leonhart · 08-10-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JadedStar

Men typically have more muscle, and muscle burns more calories than fat. A person with good muscle mass burns more calories doing the same thing (exertion) as someone with less.

Women also store fat moreso in the hips, abdomen and thigh area then men, so while your weight loss might be comparable at times, it doesn't seem that way do to the stubbornness of fat in those areas. We are also more prone to that ghastly CELLULITE that seems immovable with many exercise and dieting techniques.

Lastly, since men are typically larger and simply by design they are allotted more calories per day to sustain then we women.

This is absolutely true.

GeneralLee · 08-12-2007, 01:24 PM

The first reply got it correct. But not only do men usually have more muscle, mens typically have denser muscle fiber than women. Basically two people, a man and a woman, having the exact same volume of muscle, the man would usually be stronger. Another problem with losing fat is actually an evolutionary defense for our digestive organs. For the human body to move the way it does, and allow us to walk upright, we need to be very flexible in the mid-section, which is why we have no bones other than the spine between the ribs and pelvis, although there are still organs in this area. So our bodies, in order to protect the organs in this area, stores fat here first, and loses it here last as a pillow of protection for the stomach, intestines, kidneys, ets. I would assume this is doubly important to women, as your bodies also have the reproductive organs to worry about.

sidehop · 01-08-2009, 08:45 AM

Actually women lose fat faster than men when doing cardio. It's really how active you are and what you eat & do on a daily basis. Everyone's different.

The best thing to do is talk to a fitness/nutrition specialist, lay out everything on the table as far as what you eat, do, sleep, almost like counting every pennies with your finance. There's so many ways to go about it, sometimes it's trial & error but there is always something you can change to lose weight

CaptainPlanet · 01-08-2009, 08:50 AM

When a man exercises he will run 10kms and lift a bunch of heavy weights. A woman will walk on the treadmill drink water, and do some pilates. My reasoning is that men are more aggressive. I don't think most of us do the level of excercise where having big muslces will impact. Also men have a lower fat content usually.

08-10-2007, 10:19 PM	#1
prizmpyxis Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 215	WHY do men lose weight faster than women? Hi everyone, I am just really frustrated at the moment, but here goes. Basically I have been trying to lose weight for a long time now...and I just can't seem to do it. I'm not fat, I don't even think I'm overweight but I just want to lose 10-15 pounds!! I'm 5'6 right now and I weigh around 150...but here's what REALLY gets me. My boyfriend is the exact same size as me. We are the same height, and we WERE around the exact same weight (he weighed about 3-5 pounds more than me). He LOVES pizza and can eat as many as 4 slices in one sitting. He also eats these disgustingly unhealthy egg sandwiches at least 4 or 5 times a week. I think that I eat pretty healthy. I hardly ever eat fast food, and if I'm eating something like ice cream I ALWAYS eat the one that has half the fat and calories. I also eat a lot of fruit and vegetables...which he eats hardly none of. Anyway, during the last month my boyfriend's family and friends started to tell him that he was getting "a gut". Personally, I think that they are insane and I don't think he's EVER had a gut...but multiple people told him this...so he decided to go on a diet. He lost about 10 pounds in a week or two!!! He weighs 144-145! It's so unfair!!!! I'm sitting here feeling so bad about myself because my boyfriend now weighs less than me and he didn't even have to work at it! I am trying SO hard. What am I doing wrong? And another thing, WHY do men lose weight faster!?!?!? Last edited by prizmpyxis; 08-10-2007 at 10:22 PM.

08-10-2007, 10:33 PM	#4
IronLion85 Offline Gold Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Gender: Male Age: 24 Posts: 1,535	I'd say it's the difference between testosterone and estrogen. If I'm not mistaken women with higher levels of testosterone tend to be lighter and lose weight more quickly. I know I gain and lose weight very, very quickly if I start running and working out, or drinking a lot of beer and eating junk. Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor or scientist, the above is just what I've understood to be the case . Edit: I'm known to eat entire medium pizzas and am not overweight, though my arteries may all be clogged. __________________ "Whenever I meet a beauty, I escape or hide in a corner. Not that I think they are intimidating, but they attract horrible people. Some guys really do their utmost to make these beautiful women believe how good they are..." - Thom Yorke Last edited by IronLion85; 08-10-2007 at 11:15 PM.

08-10-2007, 10:26 PM	#2
JadedStar Offline Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: On a star far, far away... Posts: 16,339	Men typically have more muscle, and muscle burns more calories than fat. A person with good muscle mass burns more calories doing the same thing (exertion) as someone with less. Women also store fat moreso in the hips, abdomen and thigh area then men, so while your weight loss might be comparable at times, it doesn't seem that way do to the stubbornness of fat in those areas. We are also more prone to that ghastly CELLULITE that seems immovable with many exercise and dieting techniques. Lastly, since men are typically larger and simply by design they are allotted more calories per day to sustain then we women.

08-10-2007, 10:30 PM	#3
prizmpyxis Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Gender: Female Age: 22 Posts: 215	Thanks Jaded. Even though it's still unfair and sucks, I feel better knowing that I'm not doing anything really wrong. haha

08-12-2007, 01:24 PM	#6
GeneralLee Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 202	The first reply got it correct. But not only do men usually have more muscle, mens typically have denser muscle fiber than women. Basically two people, a man and a woman, having the exact same volume of muscle, the man would usually be stronger. Another problem with losing fat is actually an evolutionary defense for our digestive organs. For the human body to move the way it does, and allow us to walk upright, we need to be very flexible in the mid-section, which is why we have no bones other than the spine between the ribs and pelvis, although there are still organs in this area. So our bodies, in order to protect the organs in this area, stores fat here first, and loses it here last as a pillow of protection for the stomach, intestines, kidneys, ets. I would assume this is doubly important to women, as your bodies also have the reproductive organs to worry about.

01-08-2009, 08:45 AM	#7
sidehop Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH USA Gender: Male Posts: 1,599	Actually women lose fat faster than men when doing cardio. It's really how active you are and what you eat & do on a daily basis. Everyone's different. The best thing to do is talk to a fitness/nutrition specialist, lay out everything on the table as far as what you eat, do, sleep, almost like counting every pennies with your finance. There's so many ways to go about it, sometimes it's trial & error but there is always something you can change to lose weight

01-08-2009, 08:50 AM	#8
CaptainPlanet Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Australia Gender: Male Age: 26 Posts: 4,259	When a man exercises he will run 10kms and lift a bunch of heavy weights. A woman will walk on the treadmill drink water, and do some pilates. My reasoning is that men are more aggressive. I don't think most of us do the level of excercise where having big muslces will impact. Also men have a lower fat content usually.