Weight Loss for Women vs. Weight Loss for Men

Weight Loss for Women vs. Weight Loss for Men

If you‘ve ever lived with someone of a different gender, you may have come to this perplexing realization: men and women gain and lose weight differently. You might eat the same meals, do the same exercise, and work similar jobs, but not only will you gain and lose weight at different rates, but you‘ll also gain and lose weight in different areas of the body. Gender is an enormously important factor in weight gain and loss, and there are reasons why some men and women retain fat in certain areas no matter what they do to lose it. 

Fat Reduction and Weight Loss

For any relevant discussion about weight loss and genetics, it‘s important to clarify the difference between fat reduction and weight loss. When an individual consumes more calories than they burn, the excess calories are converted into fat and stored in fat cells. As the body accumulates this fat, the individual becomes heavier.

When most people say they want to lose weight, what they really mean is that they would like to reduce excess fat. For example, many men and women would be happy with a weight gain of solid muscle but are not interested in increasing their body fat. Additionally, pregnant women can gain weight without significantly increasing their body fat — although some increase in body fat is expected. For the purpose of this discussion, however, “weight loss“ and “fat reduction“ will be used interchangeably to represent fat reduction. 

Weight Loss Struggles for Women vs. Men

For the most part, the weight loss processes for women and weight loss for men aren‘t all that different. High-calories foods promote weight gain in both genders. If an individual has a lethargic lifestyle, they are likely to gain weight regardless of gender. As we age, metabolisms slow down in both men and women. However, there are specific differences that are coded into our DNA. This is also why men and women accumulate fat in different areas.

Where Women Gain Weight and Why

From an evolutionary and biological standpoint, women’s bodies have developed to support childbirth and nursing, regardless of whether they ever become impregnated. During puberty, hormones trigger an acceleration of body fat accumulation in girls at twice the rate of boys. For most women, this increased body fat production ceases after they reach adulthood. That is not to say, however, that it reverses — it merely slows down.

Women have gender-specific fat in their hips, buttocks, thighs, and pelvis. These areas store fat to serve as reserve energy for lactation. Unfortunately for many women, whether they ever get pregnant or not, the fat cells in these areas will retain excess lipids, which is why their hips, thighs, pelvis, and buttocks get larger. 

Where Men Gain Weight and Why 

In general, men tend to gain weight in their belly, which is also a very dangerous place to gain fat due to its proximity to important organ systems. This is often the result of degradation in testosterone production as men age. With all other things being equal, testosterone begins to increase in the male body during the teenage years, and boys begin developing muscle. As males get older, their testosterone levels drop, and fat accumulates around the belly. 

Why Weight Loss is Different for Women and Men

While there are a number of factors that go into weight loss — age, diet, exercise, stress, lifestyle, and more, men and women lose weight at different rates — men tend to lose weight faster than women. There are several reasons for this disparity:

• Men have more muscle mass – Muscle is a living tissue that requires calories to function. The more muscles you have, the more calories you‘re going to burn. So, if a man and woman perform the same amount of exercise, but the man also has more muscle, he will burn more calories. 
• Women are biologically disadvantaged – Because women‘s bodies have evolved for pregnancy, they are predisposed to carry extra fat, which also means additional fat cells. 
• Women often set fat reduction goals at lower points than men – Women are biologically predisposed to carry more fat, so they‘re often trying to achieve a more difficult objective. 

How to Reduce Body Fat for Men and Women

Despite the physiological differences between the two genders, men and women have the same options available to them to reduce body fat. Here are some of the most effective ways to lose weight and reduce fat.

Diet

To maintain your weight, you need to achieve a calorie-neutral diet. That means that your calorie intake equals your calorie expenditures. To lose weight — and presumably reduce fat — you need to have a calorie-negative diet. Reducing your daily calorie intake below your daily calorie expenditure will require the body to burn excess fat for energy. 

Exercise 

Exercise increases your muscle mass and ups your daily calorie expenditure. Presuming you don‘t also increase your calorie consumption, exercise will help you bring your calorie expenditure below your intake. 

Avoid Stress  

Stress prompts a chain of events that causes weight gain. Cortisol is a chemical produced by the adrenal glands in response to a crisis or other stressors. Among other things, cortisol increases your appetite and raises your blood sugar, and it also can decrease testosterone production over time. 

Medical Fat Reduction Procedures

Another set of solutions for fat reduction are medical procedures. We will discuss three of the most popular fat reduction methods. 

Liposuction

This surgical process involves removing fat cells from a specific area of the body. During the procedure, the patient is anesthetized, and the full recovery time is usually about four weeks. 

Cyrolipolysis 

This is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure that kills fat cells by freezing them to death. While there is no downtime, patients frequently complain of pain or an unpleasant sensation during the treatment. Temporary bruising and skin discoloration is common. 

Laser Fat Removal (Laser Lipo)

This system uses the directed light of a laser to penetrate the fat cell and emulsify the lipids inside. The liquified fats can then drain through the pore in the cell wall and are safely disposed of by the body‘s lymphatic system. While many laser lipo centers kill the fat cells, Emerald Laser by Erchonia does not.

Although the permanent destruction of fat cells may seem beneficial, it can create a dangerous situation. If the patient later gains weight, the fat will have to be redistributed to other active fat cells. This can cause an odd, disproportionate look and can also create dangerous fatty deposits around vital organs. 

How the Laser Lipolysis Process Works

Laser light is generated when a material like a crystal, certain types of glass, or a gas is stimulated by electricity. In their excited state, the molecules generate light photons all of the same wavelength and direction. The fat reduction laser can penetrate the top layers of fat below the skin, which begins the gradual drainage of the fat cells. Emerald uses ten 532-nanometer low-intensity lasers to achieve this objective. These lasers are strong enough to accomplish the process but leave the fat cells alive. The process usually requires four to six treatments per area. Full results are usually apparent in the first few weeks, with full results achieved in twelve. 

Different Laser Lipo Target Areas for Women and Men

Not only is laser lipo safe and effective for both men and women, but it can also be applied to almost any part of the body where fat accumulates, including thighs, hips, lower belly, lower back, upper back, shoulders, chest, chin, calves, neck, and more. Because Emerald Laser lipolysis is painless, the process can be applied to sensitive areas that would not fare as well with other laser lipo methods or fat freezing. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Fat Reduction

Emerald Laser is an FDA-market cleared full body fat loss treatment that has been in use for over a decade. In that time, our providers have treated thousands of men and women for excess body fat. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions by individuals who are considering laser lipolysis fat reduction. 

Is Laser Lipo Effective for Both Women and Men?

Yes. The process targets fat below the skin, which is similar in both men and women. 

Does Laser Lipo Kill Fat Cells?

Most laser lipolysis systems kill fat cells, but the Emerald Laser lipolysis system does not. While killing fat cells may sound advantageous, it can be disadvantageous if you gain weight after your treatments. Because the body can no longer store the fat in the dead cell regions, it will be forced to use fat in other areas, which can lead to a disproportional look. Additionally, the fat may be stored around the liver, kidneys, or heart, which is dangerous. 

How Long Does the Emerald Laser Fat Removal Process Take?

Each session takes about thirty minutes, so you can schedule an appointment before or after work or even on your lunch break. 

Is There Any Downtime After Laser Treatments?

No. Unlike liposuction and other surgical weight loss procedures, this safe, non-invasive process requires no downtime. You can go back to work, go shopping, or go to the gym immediately after treatment. 

Why Is Emerald by Erchonia Better Than Other Fat Reduction Lasers? 

Erchonia is a pioneer in the laser lipolysis industry. In 2010, the FDA granted Erchonia market-clearance for the first non-invasive fat loss laser system in the history of the U.S. Emerald Laser is the only laser approved by the FDA for subjects with BMIs over 30. Additionally, Emerald Laser allows fat drainage without destroying the fat cells, which is beneficial. 

Will Emerald Laser Prevent Me from Gaining Back the Weight?

Emerald Laser is effective at reducing fat. To prevent regaining the fat, we recommend a healthy lifestyle with a calorie-neutral diet. If you do regain fat, you can undergo the process again. 

Emerald Laser by Erchonia

Regardless of your gender, Emerald lipo laser weight loss is an effective way to shed fat and contour your body. Schedule your appointment today.