Weight loss for women is not the same as weight loss for men. To begin with, men and women have different fat composition, with women having the higher fat percentage. Women tend to gain weight easily. And losing pounds can also be harder. It’s just the way we were built.
We need that extra fat for reproductive reasons.
That being the case, it’s best to tackle weight loss considering a woman’s specific body make-up.
Most diet books treat women and men the same way. But that should not be. How male and female bodies differ goes beyond the plumbing. There is a right way for women to lose weight.
First, women have to deal with greater hormonal shifts. Monthly periods bring this on at a regular basis. At some point pregnancy takes the hormonal shifts to higher levels.
It has been proven that some foods can alleviate the ill effects of hormonal shifts. Some foods can aggravate this as well. Hormones also play a key role in weight loss for women.
Another key principle essential to women’s weight loss: fresh food – particularly fresh greens and fruits should comprise most of our diet. It is also best to go organic.
It is also best to choose organic options as well as locally grown food that did not have to travel far packed with preservatives.
Agricultural chemicals used used can wreak havoc on your already raging hormones. No surprise that these organic fresh foods are the very kind that should compose a healthy diet that is key in weight loss for women.
Besides the hormones, women also have to deal with body image issues. Most of us just have the unrealistic desire to be the stick-thin woman perpetuated as the ideal by Hollywood and the fashion industry. But get real. Most women are just not built that way. We come in all shapes and sizes and genetic predispositions. The goal is to be healthy and fit – and that does not always mean super model thin.
For women to lose weight, they should adopt a lifestyle rather than a diet. These fancy, sometimes bizarre, diet programs often lead to yo-yo weight patterns. They can make you lose weight quick, yes… but once you’re off the program the weight just comes back. Sometimes it comes back with a vengeance.
Eating right with food you can find in your local grocery or farmers market is what’s going to help.
Convenience food is another key problem these days. Fast food joints in particular don’t often don’t prioritize what’s healthy. They are more concerned about profits. Tastier and more sinful food sell more. Fast also means more processing involved.
Even at home processed food gets to us. Open up your average refrigerator and you’ll find TV dinners and pre-packed meals that are popped into the microwave. Potatoes are not mashed, they come out of the box! They do offer low-fat or diet TV dinners, but be warned: these are loaded with preservatives and sodium. Hardly any nutrients are kept from all the processing.
The most important key to weight loss for women boils down to using fresh foods and preparing it yourself. No chef skills needed, just some simple healthy recipes you can easily follow. If it was made in your own kitchen, you can make sure your meals are low-fat, low-sodium, organic and healthy. Not to mention tasty.
Weight loss for women really involves a conscious effort to watch what we eat, not to mention take charge of our own food.
