Weight Loss: Battle of the Sexes

You and your partner have made a pact to get healthy. You're both determined to shed those extra tires. You're both eating healthy and exercising. After just one week, he's lost five pounds and you've only lost one pound. The following week, he drops three pounds while you shed one measly pound. Overcome with frustration, you don't understand why he's losing so much faster. Take heart. Research indicates that men lose at a faster pace than their female counterparts. The truth is men generally have faster metabolisms than women -- their basal metabolic rate is an estimated 10 to 15 percent higher than women's. Men can also thank testosterone for their weight loss - it helps men maintain more muscle than women, who tend to carry more fat. To even the score when it comes to muscle mass, women should incorporate at least two strength training workouts per week into their routine. Building muscle not only helps you burn more calories - even when you're at rest - but it also strengthens bones.