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Ladies, it’s time you know that the weight loss odds are stacked against you. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to lose weight—but it will be much more difficult for some to lose weight than others, and this may become even more apparent as we age. While there are some ways to improve your weight loss or maintenance outcome, it’s important to also understand the internal factors at play that make weight gain a natural process in the female body, even more so than males.
The following are just some of the basic reasons women gain weight, rounded up with a couple ideas of how you can work with your body to still achieve your own unique body goals.
The female body tends to produce a lot of estrogen (as you may well be aware). Progesterone is a secondary hormone produced by the body to rein in the effects of estrogen. When these hormones are out of balance, estrogen dominance sinks in—a key culprit in the accumulation of stubborn thigh fat and abundance of fat tissue elsewhere. Commonly, the body can struggle maintaining a proper estrogen-progesterone balance during puberty, and again during perimenopause and menopause, when progesterone production tends to decline more rapidly than estrogen. As a result, we often see our bodies storing more fat in our teens and increased weight gain as we age. Generally speaking, this path of hormone-linked weight gain is average for most women. However, certain lifestyle and dietary factors can also contribute to higher levels of estrogen or estrogen-like hormones in the body.
Next up, we have to consider metabolism. While there are always exceptions to the rule, the male body generally has more active metabolic mass—more muscle, bigger hearts (physically speaking), larger kidneys, and less body fat in relation to body weight—than the typical female body. Considering that each pound of muscle burns about six calories daily, while the heart and kidneys may each require at least 100 calories to properly function, and fat burns just two calories per pound, it’s clear that the male body is just built to burn more calories based on its makeup alone. Lean muscle mass is the main factor determining our metabolic rate. So, due to a higher active metabolic mass, males tend to be naturally burning more calories and storing less fat.
On top of a tipsy estrogen-progesterone balance as we age, a rise in a specific enzyme—Aldh1a1—is believed to be linked to weight gain as estrogen levels decline. While one of the most prominent studies on this topic was on mice, the same enzyme and hormones were at play. The study found that female mice on a high-fat diet (i.e., the ketogenic diet) experienced higher levels of the enzyme Aldh1a1 and stored more fat, particularly around the abdomen, compared to male mice. Estrogen, it seems, suppresses the enzyme in younger women but as estrogen levels decline with age, the impact the enzyme has on weight gain increases. Unfortunately, the only solution is to increase muscle mass to boost metabolism while eating a healthy, balanced diet that doesn’t overdo it on fats.
On a global scale, among women, depression is reportedly the leading cause of disease burden, which refers to the financial cost, mortality, morbidity, and other impacts of a health concern. While there are many factors that may cause depression, patterns suggest that internal influencing factors affect women the most (such as stress within a relationship) alongside hormonal fluctuations during such periods as puberty, post-pregnancy, menopause, and post-menopause. But what’s the link to weight gain? Well, in a recent study published in the journal Family Practice, a major correlation was found between weight gain in middle-aged women and a depressed mood, with a 1.9 odds ratio and 95% confidence interval, suggesting that the effects of depression on weight may be larger than that of hormonal shifts.
So, it seems the odds are against us, but that doesn’t mean we’re strapped with the weight. Instead, we’ve rounded up some steps you can take to help manage weight gain as you age.
First, practice self-love and acceptance. No matter what the scale reads, your body has done incredible things in its lifetime and has carried you through some momentous times. Once you’re able to accept and appreciate your body for all that it does for you, you can shift your mindset to showing it some physical support by developing your own body goals. The best tip here is to avoid measurements and look at the bigger picture. Make it a goal to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet to keep your body feeling energized, nourished, and strong. Increasing fitness intensity and regularity alongside healthy shifts in diet (these don’t have to be bland!), can also have a positive impact on mood and mental health.
Once the basics of a healthy lifestyle are covered, depending on your unique body goals, a complementary aesthetic treatment may help boost your results and achieve an outcome that may not otherwise be possible with diet and fitness alone. Fat treatments can be the perfect complement to your workout regimen, utilizing clinically proven technology to target fat cells. Applicators are placed on the abdomen and/or flanks to deliver energy below the skin’s surface, where it breaks down and destroys fat cells—a process known as lipolysis. The result is a smoother, leaner, more contoured-looking midsection. Cellulite treatments deliver heat far below the skin’s surface to shrink fat cells and boost collagen and elastin production for a firmer, smoother silhouette. Whatever your goals, know that it’s natural for women to gain more weight than men, especially as we age, and there are a variety of options to meet your needs and complement your lifestyle.
Interested in exploring your fat or cellulite treatment options? Contact a certified treatment provider near you using the search field below.
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REGULATORY CLEARANCES [ More ]
Venus Bliss™ is cleared by the FDA and licensed by Health Canada for non-invasive lipolysis of the abdomen and flanks in individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or less, with the diode laser applicators. The (MP)2 applicator is cleared by the FDA for temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite, and licensed by Health Canada for temporary increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, and temporary cellulite reduction. Venus Bliss™ has CE Mark as a non-invasive medical aesthetic device enabling a comprehensive approach leading to body contouring, addressing fat reduction, skin tightening, circumference reduction, and cellulite reduction.
Venus Versa™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark as a multi-application device intended to be used in aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. The SR515 and SR580 applicators are cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and have CE Mark for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions and treatment of benign cutaneous vascular lesions. The HR650/HR650XL and HR690/HR690XL applicators are cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and have CE Mark for the removal of unwanted hair and to effect stable long-term or permanent hair reduction for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The AC Dual applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators on the Venus Versa™ system are cleared by the FDA for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The DiamondPolar™ applicator is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The OctiPolar™ applicator on the Venus Versa™ system is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for temporary body contouring via skin tightening, circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction. The NanoFractional RF™ (Viva) applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin.
NeoGraft® is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark with indication for use in suction-assisted follicular extraction and re-implantation. It is an auto-graft system and can be used on both male and female patients.
ARTAS iX™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark with indication for use for harvesting hair follicles from the scalp in men diagnosed with androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) who have black or brown straight hair. ARTAS iX™ is intended to assist physicians in identifying and extracting hair follicular units from the scalp during hair transplantation; creating recipient sites; and implanting harvested hair follicles.
Venus Legacy™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with the OctiPolar™ and DiamondPolar™ applicators, and temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite with the 4D Body (LB2) and 4D Face (LF2) applicators. It is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for the temporary increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, temporary cellulite reduction, and temporary wrinkle reduction.
Venus Velocity™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types.
Venus Fiore™ received regulatory approval in Israel for aesthetic and functional treatment of the vagina, labia and mons pubis. Venus Fiore™ is available for sale in India, Hong Kong, and other selected Asian countries.
Venus Viva™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin. The DiamondPolar™ applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for the treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles and rhytides in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV.
Venus Freeze Plus™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. It is licensed by Health Canada for temporary skin tightening, and temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite on the abdomen and flanks, using the DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators. The DiamondPolar™ applicator on Venus Freeze Plus™ has CE Mark for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides, and the increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction with the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Heal™ is licensed by Health Canada and can be used for the treatment of both acute and chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system, such as muscle spasms, back pain, and soft tissue injuries, and results in effects such as pain relief, myorelaxation, increase of local blood circulation, and edema reduction. In the U.S., Venus Heal™ is cleared by the FDA for the relief of minor muscle aches and pain, relief of muscle spasm, and temporary improvement of local blood circulation. These indications enable the treatment of certain soft tissue injuries and conditions.
Venus Glow™ is cleared by the FDA as a Class I motorized dermabrasion device. It provides a dermal rejuvenation treatment that works to open up and deep-clean pores. Venus Concept is the exclusive distributor for Venus Glow™.
Venus Epileve™ is licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types. Venus Epileve™ is also CE-Marked for hirsutism.
Venus Freeze™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. It is licensed by Health Canada for temporary skin tightening, and temporary reduction in the appearance of cellulite on the abdomen and flanks, using the DiamondPolar™ and OctiPolar™ applicators. The DiamondPolar™ applicator on Venus Freeze™ has CE Mark for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides, and the increase of skin tightening, temporary circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction with the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Swan™ is cleared by the FDA for the non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides, and licensed by Health Canada for the non-invasive treatment of cellulite reduction, skin tightening, and temporary reduction in the appearance of stretch marks.
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