On March 25, Dr. Malhar Ganla, a specialist in diabetes and obesity reversal, addressed the impact of hormonal fluctuations on women's weight loss journeys in a video posted on his Instagram account. He highlighted the significant effects of these changes, particularly during pregnancy and menopause, and provided three strategies for effective weight management.

In his post titled "Why do women struggle to lose weight?", Dr. Ganla explained, “Before we delve into the topic of weight loss among women, it is essential to first consider weight gain. Women experience five distinct triggers that contribute to weight gain throughout their lives. For instance, between the ages of 15 and 25, as they transition from adolescence to adulthood, many college-aged women may notice an increase of 5-7 kg. From ages 25 to 35, factors such as marriage and pregnancy—often multiple pregnancies—can lead to an additional weight gain of approximately 10 kg. As they approach the ages of 40 to 45, women may encounter middle age, which is often accompanied by a noticeable slowdown in metabolism and a change in body shape, resulting in another 5-7 kg increase. This is followed by the onset of menopause.”

He continued, “Throughout these stages, it is common for women predisposed to weight gain to experience an overall increase of around 30 kg. For example, if you weighed 50 kg at 20 years old, you might find yourself at 80 kg now. So, what weight loss goals should you establish? Should the aim be to return to your previous weight of 50 kg?”

Dr. Ganla elaborated, “It is crucial to recognize that a woman's hormonal system is designed to support fetal development, which means the body is constantly signaling hunger to accumulate extra calories in preparation for potential pregnancy. This ensures that there are no instances where a child is deprived of necessary calories. Consequently, the hormonal structure is inherently designed this way.”

How women should try to lose weight

He subsequently outlined three strategies for women to achieve weight loss:

1. Dr. Malhar Ganla emphasized the importance of weight training, stating, “Engaging in weight training alters your muscle-to-fat ratio, which helps tone your body and encourages it to store energy in muscle rather than fat.”

2. He further advised, “It is essential to incorporate fasting into your routine whenever possible. Aim to fast for 24 hours each week. This approach effectively depletes fat stores, allowing your body to utilize them for energy, aided by the metabolic rate and muscle mass developed through weight training.”

3. Additionally, Dr. Ganla recommended, “Incorporate long-duration cardio sessions on weekends. While it’s common to indulge in sweets and snacks, burning 1000 calories during a workout each weekend alleviates concerns about these minor indulgences.”

He concluded with a key takeaway for women: “The focus should be on body shape rather than weight. Achieving a weight of 50-52 kg is unrealistic through starvation or medication, as it is unhealthy and can make you appear older. Instead, if you currently weigh 80 kg, aim to reduce your weight to 65-70 kg through a combination of diet and fasting. Afterward, concentrate on toning your body and pursuing enjoyable hobbies; this will give you the appearance of weighing 50-55 kg while actually weighing 65 kg.”

Balancing hormones through dietary and lifestyle adjustments is achievable by adhering to fundamental healthy practices, such as avoiding meal skipping and ensuring adequate sleep. For expert advice, click here.

Read Also: Facing challenges in reaching your daily protein goals? A nutritionist offers easy yet effective alternatives

"Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!"