The Word on Weightloss

Growing up, I watched my brother eat absolutely everything in sight. Two bowls of cereal and a PB&J in the morning, donuts, pizza, sweets, soda...pretty much everything he could get his hands on. My brother is only a year older than me, so I watched him and even mimicked him. That’s where I first began to realize that things weren’t equal.

The same mind-numbing thoughts pass through my head today. My male friends eat more than me and they drink more than me, but it seems like they NEVER gain weight like me! Do you ever notice the same thing? Do you ever wonder how much weight you’d gain if you ate and drank the same things that your guy friends do? Or what kind of weight loss program you'd have to go on once you did?!

Are all things equal when it comes to weight loss or gain between men and women? Sorry ladies, but the answer is no. If you’re a woman and you’ve ever tried to lose weight along side your husband, boyfriend, brother or friend you’ve probably noticed that the same rules don't apply to us. Why is it easier for men to lose weight? What can women do to increase their weight loss?

It is hardly a secret that women and men lose, gain and think about weight entirely differently. It is also not news that the body-fat-percentage by itself, with females naturally carrying an extra ladling of adipose tissue, gives the guys a head start with weight loss. However, a new study from the Brookhaven National Laboratory looked deeper into the primal ways in which we react to the very presence of food and our desire to eat it.

A group of men and women were asked to fast for 17 hours. During the time of their fast, the volunteers were asked about their favorite foods and to give them a rating of 1-10, ten representing their favorite. After the 17 hours foods that were rated a seven or above were presented to the volunteer. The foods were warmed and had a strong aroma to stimulate the volunteer’s senses. They were then asked to think about something other than that food or any food for the next 40 minutes. A scanner watched each of the volunteers’ brain patterns during the study, which showed that women could not quit ruminating on food, successfully suppressing, if only just temporarily, the conscious desire to eat like the men could. The women in the study continued to experience emotional cravings even if their hunger has subsided. Through this study, the researchers suspect that hormones may play a significant role in weight loss between men and women.

So what can ladies do to give yourself a weight loss advantage?

• Stay positive! If you formulate a plan that includes a good nutritional program and fitness program you will lose weight. Being consistent, working hard and focusing on your goal gets you there. Stop comparing yourself to others and just focus on your goals.

• Find a weight loss program you can stick to. Believe in your weight loss strategy and really make an effort to attain your goal. Try your best and make small changes; before long, each small change will add up to a lifestyle change. Things you may have struggled with earlier will be a snap!

• Understand your challenges and limitations. Get to know yourself through your weight loss challenge. What types of situations enable you to ‘fall off the wagon’ easier? When do you feel strongest and most motivated? What kind of support do you have? Determine what you can handle and set yourself up for success!