Did You Know That Men And Women Lose Weight Differently? Expert Tells Why

Sound familiar?

This isn’t just a case of bad luck or lack of commitment. It’s biology, behaviour, and hormones playing out in real time. Men and women lose weight differently, not better or worse, just differently. And if we’re aiming for sustainable results and long-term health, we need to stop treating their bodies as if they function in the same way.

Why Do Women And Men Lose Weight Differently?

To understand more about this, we reached out to our expert Asad Hussain, Founder and CEO of Odds Fitness, a premium fitness and health solutions company. Here are the reasons why men and women lose weight differently:

Hormones

“The invisible hand behind fat is hormones! Oestrogen, the dominant hormone in women, encourages fat storage, particularly around the hips and thighs, an evolutionary advantage linked to childbearing. Men, fuelled by testosterone, tend to store fat around the abdomen. This visceral fat is metabolically active and generally easier to shed through diet and exercise. These hormonal differences also mean that women tend to have a higher body fat percentage than men, even if both weigh the same. This is not only normal but vital for reproductive health. However, it also presents unique challenges for women trying to lose fat,” said Asad.

Muscle, Metabolism & The Calorie Game

Muscle mass plays an important role in how efficiently we burn calories. Men naturally possess more lean muscle, which translates to a higher resting metabolic rate. In simple terms, they burn more calories even while doing nothing. Women, on the other hand, must work harder to build and maintain muscle due to lower testosterone levels. This metabolic disparity means men often experience faster weight loss at the outset of a fitness journey. It’s no surprise, then, that many women feel disheartened when their male counterparts shed weight more rapidly on the same programme. But it’s important to remember: fast weight loss doesn’t always equate to healthy or sustainable weight loss.

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Emotional Triggers And Eating Habits

“Beyond physiology, emotional and behavioural patterns around eating can differ between individuals and may be influenced by gender, life stage, and hormonal changes. Research has shown that many women experience shifts in appetite and are more likely to engage in emotional eating during periods of hormonal fluctuation, such as menstruation or perimenopause. This highlights the need for weight management strategies that also support mental well-being and emotional resilience. While some men may approach fitness with a goal-oriented mindset, motivation and behavior vary widely across individuals, making personalised and empathetic coaching essential for lasting success,” said Asad.

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