The biological differences between men and women mean that women naturally store more fat in their bodies. This is due to a higher concentration of the hormone estrogen, which prompts the body to store fat. Studies have shown<\/a> that women can be healthy with body fat in the 20\u201325% range, while men should have less than 15% body fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If this sounds like women get the short end of the stick, remember that stored fat isn’t all negative. It reserves energy for the body until you need it, when it\u2019s released for use through a process known as fat mobilization. Storing extra fat may be advantageous in many situations\u2014for example, a Science Daily review<\/a> found it can help women have healthy pregnancies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone has heard stories about couples that lose weight together. For two weeks, the woman goes on a strict diet, exercises religiously, and loses five pounds. Meanwhile, her partner simply stops drinking soda and loses 10 pounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It just doesn\u2019t seem fair, does it? Why do men lose weight more quickly than women? Men have more muscle, meaning they burn more calories per day. However, over the long term, men and women lose a similar percentage of body weight when they follow similar diet and exercise programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because men and women store fat differently, medical research<\/a> has shown they have different problem areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Men have more trouble with fat in the upper body. That’s why the beer belly is such a prominent feature of the \u201cDad Bod\u201d people are always talking about these days. This exercise-resistant fat responds better to diet than exercise. Because this visceral fat surrounds internal organs, it can lead to a range of health problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women typically carry more fat than men, but it\u2019s distributed differently. Women store fat in their hips, thighs, and butt, and while this subcutaneous fat is diet-resistant, leading to greater struggles with weight loss, it also comes with fewer health issues according to WebMD<\/a>. Ample subcutaneous fat in these areas can also be a sign of strong metabolic health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though men and women store and use fat differently, the key to natural weight loss is diet and exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, not all exercise is equal. Aerobic exercise can improve your metabolic rate somewhat, but lifting weights is a more effective way for both men and women to reduce belly fat quickly. Weightlifting increases muscle mass, which causes your to body use more calories, even when you\u2019re at rest. Building muscle mass can help women lose that diet-resistant subcutaneous fat that has plagued them for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For your diet, protein is the key. The American College of Sports Medicine<\/a> recommends that women eat at least 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight every day. This means the average 170-pound woman should eat around 85 grams of protein every day. Consuming protein can help women build muscle, boost their fat metabolism, and lose weight more easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/www.bellemedical.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/female-male-subcutaneous-fat.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat About Losing Weight?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Problem Areas<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/www.bellemedical.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/female-male-body-composition.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDiet and Exercise<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
When Diet and Exercise Aren’t Enough<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n