The Six Reasons 93% of Women Struggle to Lose Weight and What to Do About It
- Gábor Szabó
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The Six Reasons 93% of Women Struggle to Lose Weight and What to Do About It
In a recent video, Dr. Michael Diamond, a physician, bodybuilder, and scientist, breaks down a critical question: Why do so many women find it so difficult to lose weight? He explains that for many women, the problem isn't a lack of effort but rather a set of six "hidden obstacles" that work against traditional weight loss methods. The good news is, he also provides four powerful solutions to help.
The Six Hidden Obstacles
Dr. Diamond argues that a simple "calories in, calories out" approach often fails because it doesn't account for unique female biology. The six main issues he identifies are:
Progesterone Appetite-Amplifying System: During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (days 15-28), rising progesterone levels can lead to an increase in the hunger hormone ghrelin and a decrease in sensitivity to the satiety hormone leptin. This makes you feel hungrier and less full.
Estrogen Insulin Resistance Matrix: As women approach menopause, declining estrogen levels make it harder for muscles to absorb glucose. This can lead to insulin resistance and an increase in stubborn belly fat.
Sarcopenia Metabolic Death Spiral: After age 40, women typically lose about 0.5% of their muscle mass each year. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, this muscle loss slows down metabolism, making weight loss increasingly difficult.
Cortisol Visceral Fat Storage System: Elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol can increase hunger signals, reduce feelings of fullness, and promote the storage of fat, particularly around the midsection.
PCOS Insulin Fat-Lock System: For those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance is a common issue. This makes it difficult for the body to process sugar, blocks fat-burning enzymes, and drives inflammation.
Thyroid Metabolic Shutdown: An underactive thyroid can slow down your metabolism significantly, leading to weight gain and making it harder to shed pounds.
Four Solutions to Overcome the Obstacles
According to Dr. Diamond, understanding these challenges is the first step. The second is to implement targeted strategies to counter them. He recommends four key methods:
Progressive Fasting: Gradually increasing your fasting window can help regulate cortisol levels and improve insulin sensitivity, which is crucial for managing hunger and fat storage.
Cycle-Syncing High-Protein Nutrition: Adjusting your protein intake to align with your menstrual cycle can help manage hormonal fluctuations. Additionally, consuming nutrients that support thyroid function, like iodine and selenium, is essential for a healthy metabolism.
Strength Training with Optimized Recovery: Engaging in at least three strength training sessions a week with compound movements helps build muscle mass and boost your metabolism. Proper sleep and magnesium supplementation are also key for lowering stress hormones and aiding recovery.
Anti-Inflammatory, Low-Glycemic Nutrition: Eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and low-glycemic index foods can reduce inflammation. This type of diet helps support your body's natural processes and can prevent the insulin spikes that contribute to weight gain.
In short, the video explains that women’s weight loss isn’t just about the numbers on a scale. It's about understanding and working with your body’s unique hormonal and metabolic blueprint to achieve lasting results.
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