Just as men and women gain weight differently, and store it in different places, they lose it differently. This can make it ultra-frustrating for the ladies - while you watch your man chow down a bacon-cheeseburger on the couch, you're stuck with lettuce salad between the treadmill and spin class. The good news is that different doesn't mean bad, and both genders can learn healthy and effective ways to lose that extra weight without feeling like they've been committed to Celery Boot Camp.

What makes the difference?
There are several major physiological differences between men and women that specifically affect hunger, metabolism, and weight loss.

It starts in your head
While doctors and scientists have yet to find differences in the hypothalamus of male and female subjects (the area of the brain responsible for hunger and satiety), electronic images of the brain have shown differences in how the brains of men and women respond to eating after a fast. This suggests that gender-ingrained emotional and physiological responses to eating can greatly impact weight loss success.

Moving versus meals
When faced with the challenge of losing weight and changing their body image, men are more likely to get off the couch and get active, while women are more likely to put down the ice cream and reach for an apple, or skip an entire meal altogether. This makes a big difference when it comes to the calorie-burning power of muscle AND the energy sustaining nutrients of a well-balanced diet.

Big muscles get the job done
Since men generally have more muscle mass than women, and since muscles eat up more energy than fat, those pipes are literally helping the guys lose weight in their sleep. This is one reason weight training should be part of every woman's fitness plan.

The fat you have to begin with
The average woman has a much higher body fat percentage than the average man, and by nature actually needs an extra amount. While men are estimated to require 2-5% in order to sustain life and 14-17% to be declared fit, women are estimated to require a whopping 10-13% with 21-24% being a healthy level.

Emotions that rule the roost
Women are famous for overeating when they are depressed or sad, and men for indulging when they are enjoying an activity, such as a sporting event or party. Since it's easier to be depressed when you're alone than to have a one-man Super Bowl bash, women often find their cravings betray them, especially when they know they really shouldn't have another muffin.

Self-image and social acceptance
Men and women have difference perceptions about what is attractive for their gender and where they rank on that scale. Whereas women may pay high attention to fitness, fashion, and the ultra-thin models of our time, men are less likely to surround themselves with these images. While this makes women generally more motivated to lose weight, the obsession with a particular size or shape can be unhealthy and lead to self-destructive habits.

A recent commercial for a weight-loss supplement features a well-rounded stick woman complaining about her husband's profound success with multiple weight loss techniques, while she barks about her marginal change. It's true that the physiological differences between men and women can impact the perception each has about their body image, weight loss goals, and eating and exercise plans. Armed with this knowledge, you can make smart fitness and nutrition decisions that will help you achieve your goals for the short and long term.

Learn more about this author, Kimberly Dawn Wells.
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