Introduction:
Fat loss works differently for different types of people. The fat loss method that works efficiently for one person might not give suitable results or work efficiently for another person, and women are no exception to this logic. Fat loss for women works completely differently as opposed to fat loss for men. Here are a few things one must keep in mind when it comes to effective and long-term fat loss for women.
Hormones vs Calories:
While a calorie-deficient diet might play a major role in fat loss for men and quite a few women, it might not always be the case for the majority of women. Research shows women still struggle to burn fat even after following a calorie-deficient diet plan. That's because the main culprit that hinders fat loss in women is the hormones, not the calories, and especially not how much a woman eats, so cutting calories might not be an effective solution for fat loss in women; instead, the solution depends on how effectively you balance your hormones properly. Your hormones are powerful messengers that decide how your body stores and burns fat. When they’re out of balance, losing fat becomes frustratingly difficult, and a calorie-deficient diet will damage your hormonal balance even more and make your fat loss journey even slower because your body will store more fat to make up for the hormonal imbalance. Let’s break down why this happens and how you can reset your body for lasting results.
The Hormone-Fat Connection:
These hormones are the main culprits that hinder fat loss progression in women and have a strong connection with how your body stores fat, and balancing them will determine how fast you lose fat and the longevity of your fat loss.
Cortisol Spike: Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is directly linked to the amount of fat your body stores. High cortisol levels are caused by high levels of stress, and high amounts of stress cause your body to hold on to more fat to help regulate your stress levels to normal, especially around your stomach, midriff and waistline. So, even if you follow a calorie-deficient diet, stress can signal your body to “store for survival.”
Insulin Resistance: Excessively snacking on processed food, junk food, soda pops, and sugary drinks causes insulin spikes in your body. Doing this regularly and for a long period of time can lead to your body becoming less sensitive to insulin, which in turn causes stubborn fat storage and energy crashes over time.
Estrogen Imbalance: Women must have the right amount of estrogen in their bodies. Too much or even too little estrogen can contribute to weight gain, stubborn fat storage, difficulty in fat loss, and water retention. The estrogen hormone dominates how your body uses glucose and stores fat; an imbalance in this hormone makes fat loss a lot harder than it should be.
Starving Yourself is a Huge Red Flag:
Starving yourself is a huge red flag and a big no-no for women when it comes to fat loss. A lot of individuals might assume that starving oneself, crash diets, intermittent fasting and calorie-deficient diets might help them lose fat, but it does the complete opposite in contrary to popular beliefs and assumptions. While people might notice weight loss during the initial stages, in reality, starvation actually puts your body into “survival mode,” meaning your body will hold on to all the carbs in the food you consume, potentially slowing down your metabolism and triggering more hormonal imbalance. Instead of fighting against your body, the key is to work with it by supporting hormonal health.
Your Healing Journey:
Start your fat loss journey the right way with these small yet effective solutions. Your body will thank you by giving you fast and long-lasting results with these tips and tricks.
Get Enough Sleep: Getting 7-8 hours of undisturbed sleep boosts metabolism, heals your gut and aids in the digestion process. These factors help with fat loss, and getting enough rest will ease your fat loss journey.
Practice Stress Management: Do you want to keep cortisol levels at bay and stop that from causing fat accumulation on your stomach and waistline? Try practising stress management. Yoga, deep breathing, or even a calming walk can lower stress levels. When you lower your stress levels, you lower your cortisol levels, which in turn will cause less fat storage on your stomach and waistline.
Healthy Eating: Prevent insulin spikes by eating wholesome, nutritious, balanced meals consisting of lean proteins, healthy fats (avocados, nuts, seeds), fibre-rich vegetables, and slow-digesting carbs like quinoa or sweet potatoes. These food items will keep you fuller for longer and prevent excessive snacking. So your insulin levels are at normal levels.
Fuel Your Body Naturally: Fuel your body the natural way by removing inflammatory food items like seed oils, such as canola, soy, and sunflower oils. These food items will cause fat gain in your belly area and will make it look puffy. Swap those food items with hormone-supporting food like flaxseeds (for estrogen balance), magnesium-rich greens (to ease stress), and omega-3s (to fight inflammation). You’ll notice a big difference in just a few weeks.
Conclusion:
At the end of the day, it's about making the right choices that yield long-lasting results for you. When your hormones are in harmony, fat loss becomes easier, energy levels improve, and you feel more in control of your body. So be ready to commit to nourishing your body, reducing stress, and listening to your hormones. Remember, fat loss isn’t solely about doing more; it’s about pulling the strings around what is compatible with your own biology. Small daily choices are the stepping stones to laying the foundation of big changes. Explore our SLIMCARE PCOS+ combo to know more about effective weight loss, the hormone-friendly way.