While we know that both men and women struggle with weight loss and that the psychological and physical demands of dieting and exercise are roughly the same for both sexes, it is biologically true that women have a harder time losing weight.

Why?

Because it is biologically true that women are predisposed to storing fat to support our childbearing role. Our bodies are designed to protect growing children at all costs. While this is a wonderful thought when you are pregnant or trying to conceive, when you are trying to lose or maintain weight, this can be a nuisance.

It is More Accurate to Say Women Have a “Weight Range” than a “Weight”

When a woman is asked to list her weight on a simple form or weighed in a doctor’s office, it is a frustrating experience. Yes, we are probably more sensitive about our weight than men but it is more than that. A woman’s weight can be highly variable. It is not uncommon for me to suddenly and inexplicably gain 5-8 pounds one day and then inexplicably lose it all a few days later. Murphy’s Law dictates that we will always be weighed at our heaviest point. So, women often look at their weight, whatever it may be, as inaccurate. I thought this was just me until I learned that fitness trainer Tracy Anderson gauges herself based on a 10-pound weight zone. Once she gets to the top of the zone, she knows she needs to watch her diet more carefully. I wish doctors would adopt a “weight range” for women on their medical forms.

A Menstruating Woman Will Spend Roughly Half Her Time in an “Inflated” Weight

Female hormones have a huge impact on insulin levels. As seen in the chart below, estrogen surges twice each month for a menstruating woman – once at ovulation and again right before her period. Estrogen seems to increase insulin production, which, although helpful for removing sugars from the blood also increases fat production. At these times of the month, the body is in effect trying to utilize every possible calorie it can from the food ingested and it is very easy to gain weight.

If you are an actress or model who must maintain a slim figure at all times, the advice I have read basically says that you must diet and exercise more stringently during ovulation and your period to avoid this weight gain. Even if you just eat normally, you are probably going to gain weight (temporarily). For most women, it is probably more realistic to just accept that we will probably only look the way we think we should half of the month.

Women in Menopause Face Different Hormone Challenges

The fun for women with their hormone levels doesn’t end with menopause. At menopause, estrogen levels decline. You might think that is wonderful and could lead to weight loss due to less insulin being produced. Again, there are tons of other factors at work (like the fact that our caloric intake requirements decline with age) and it is hard to find a woman in menopause who finds it easy to maintain her weight. Instead of a benefit, the lack of estrogen causes insulin levels to function less well and blood sugar levels to rise increasing the risk factors for diabetes.

Sugar Control is Vital for Women of All Ages

In my previous post, I talked about the influence of blood sugar and insulin levels on weight maintenance. For women, blood sugar control is even more vital.

In younger women, insulin that is too high can disrupt ovulation and fertility and cause the ovaries to produce testosterone, resulting in acne and hair growth as well as causing weight gain and increased cholesterol levels.

During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone surges and is important for sustaining a pregnancy. Progesterone, however, also interferes with insulin functioning and can cause blood sugar levels to rise. At the extreme, this can result in gestational diabetes.

As mentioned above, poor sugar control after menopause can also result in diabetes. Also, women who work to control their sugar intake (and weight) significantly decrease their risk of cancer, particularly endometrial cancer.

If all this Isn’t Enough, It Can Be Harder Psychologically for Women to Control Their Sugar Intake

Most women crave sugar and sweets at least some of the time. While we may be quick to fault self-control, we have to realize there are other physical factors at play. For example, before a woman’s period, her serotonin levels can be altered, leaving her to crave sugary and high calorie foods. It has also been shown that women seem to have better brain functioning when they have higher glucose levels.

See Past the Challenges . . . and Get Mad!

When you see all that is going against you biologically in your weight loss or weight maintenance efforts, it is tempting to just give up. Yes, it can feel like running uphill and it is very hard work. But women succeed in weight loss efforts all the time. Any woman can learn to control her sugar intake. It will not happen overnight but if you are really dedicated and commit yourself to it, you can succeed.

One thing that has made a difference to me personally is to get mad about it. I learned this technique through listening to Dave Ramsey. His advice is about dealing with your finances but it really applies to just about any difficult-to-change situation. If you allow yourself not just to get frustrated but to get MAD—mad at yourself, mad at your situation, you will find the internal fire to change. Dave Ramsey advises that you need to get to the point where you are screaming out, “I am not living like this any more!” For women, we don’t use anger very often and we may have been conditioned not to become angry. However, in this situation where you are not mad at others but mad at yourself, you can use this emotion to your advantage.

For all the women out there, what weight challenges have you seen that are peculiar to the female species? What strategies do you use to control your weight? Please share in the comments.