Bakergirl":tgqp3n4o said:
I don't claim to know more. I was stating an opinion from my perspective and from the perspective of many of my female friends based on personal experiences.
Anecdotal evidence definitely has its place, just not in making definitive statements about something that can be scientifically verified.
For example, a couple I know who were both overweight by a comparative amount they both went through a weight loss regimen with a personal trainer and dietitian and were very good at keeping to the program. He quite simply lost the weight faster than she did though they both put in the same effort. It took her about 3 months longer to lose the same amount of weight as he did.
A couple of points: You are making qualitative statements from the outside. You have no real idea if she truly burned as many calories, despite her putting in effort. You also have no idea what their base fitness levels were, or what their basal metabolic rates were. I guarantee you there was a difference in at least one of these variables, more likely than not both. Again, anecdotal evidence doesn't really prove a point here.
Caloric output aside there are differences in females versus males by way of hormones which do affect metabolism. I'm not saying you don't know what you are talking about. I'm just saying there are other factors besides just calorie intake and output that can affect the rate of weight loss.
Ultimately, this is incorrect. All true weight loss is simply calories in vs calories out. Water retention is more likely what you referring to, which isn't a result of caloric intake at all, and fluctuates greatly depending on lifestyle, diet, sex, etc. If that is your point, I will concede agreement. The rate at which men and women retain water is much different, and there isn't much working out can do about that. Yet at the same time, because those weight fluctuations due water retention actually average out over time, it isn't normally considered true weight loss. It is no different than a wrestler/boxer trying to make weight. There are lots of ways to trick the body into shedding water weight, but as soon as you put water back into your system, it comes right back. That doesn't actually afffect the
rate at which you lose weight, is my point.
On a side note it's great that you have that degree. Since my mom died I have been trying to figure out what to do with myself. I put my schooling on hold to care for her for the past 5 years...I'm actually looking at pursuing a degree in Exercise and Sport Science with an emphasis on Athletic training and nutrition. I would love to pick your brain some time.
Definitely, shoot me a message I will help out as I can. I was more on the lab side of things for most of my career, and now I am a professor, so I can give you the wide view of things. I love talking about this type of stuff, and I am sorry if I came off as combative. I truly was baffled by that post, and made a quip offhandedly. You come across as intelligent, so I am sure you would do fine with any of this stuff. The only reason I commented in the first place, is because I like to correct misconceptions where I see them. I think you and I are on the same page for the most part. Cheers, I will stop hijacking this thread now.