Losing weight, particularly body fat is really hard. And most will agree that it often seems so much harder for women than it is for men. But why is the female body more stubborn when it comes to losing fat and gaining muscle?

It’s even more infuriating because women have been told all their lives to resent the “curves” and embrace the thin. Even the word “fat” leaves a bad taste in our mouths. We’re told it’s unhealthy and unattractive..

But in all truth, it’s completely normal for women to have more fat than men and they tend to have a higher body fat percentage. But why? The difference might surprise you. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE):

The answer… Reproduction. Women need more fat to support the reproductive process. It takes a great deal of fat to support a healthy pregnancy and the most important nutrient to develop one of the most important body parts – the brain – is fat. So women’s bodies are less effective in getting rid of body fat so they can make sure there is enough for a baby, even if a baby isn’t present.

So many females, in trying to remove as much fat as possible, dive into heavy and strenuous fitness routines and starvation diets. Both detrimental. 

If the female diet is too restrictive, reproductive systems literally can stop working. Hormones begin to overreact and It takes a serious toll on the body. It’s actually a very real concern for young, female athletes who are exercising intensely to present with very low body fat. The long-term risks can include psychological issues, reproductive issues and longer term, (most commonly) low bone density, leading to osteoporosis and bone fractures.

Clearly, taking drastic steps to lose weight is not the answer ladies. However, you can take smaller, more healthy steps to lose pounds, reduce fat, but not eliminate the needed stores of the body.

At Chattanooga Integrated Medicine Center we can help you understand safe and effective exercise to lose excess weight, understand what your healthy weight can be, and how to do it all safely. Further, if you have already stressed your muscles and joints by getting aggressive in losing weight, or even caused pain in your muscles, joints or bones, we provide clinical exercise services to treat specific injuries and to strengthen and protect the weak areas from further injury.

To learn more and to get an appointment, call us or go online. We are here to help you get healthy and stay that way- pain free!

423-499-0003

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