Gender differences: Different types of obesity require different weight loss strategies.

Weight loss differs between men and women

The harmful effects of obesity are well-known, so obese people are eager to find effective weight loss methods. However, they treat all kinds of weight loss products and methods indiscriminately, regardless of gender, age, or physical condition. This approach is unscientific.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the same disease may require different treatments. Taking simple obesity as an example, men often begin to gain weight in middle age, while women tend to gain weight during puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Men's fat tends to concentrate under the skin, resulting in what is commonly known as a "beer belly" or "pot belly," medically termed "apple-shaped" obesity. Women, on the other hand, often gain weight starting in the lower limbs, followed by the hips, abdomen, neck, and chest, primarily due to subcutaneous fat accumulation, medically termed "pear-shaped" obesity. Statistics show that patients with abdominal obesity have a higher probability of developing gout, coronary heart disease, and diabetes than those with hip obesity, because abdominal obesity is closer to the liver, resulting in more active metabolism and easier absorption of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) through the portal vein. Therefore, the waist-to-hip ratio must be appropriate, and the waist circumference should be less than 15% of the hip circumference; a difference greater than 15% is a warning sign.

Since the causes of obesity differ between men and women, using the same weight-loss foods or methods is clearly unscientific and ineffective. Therefore, obese individuals of different genders should choose weight-loss foods and methods suitable for their individual circumstances.

Weight loss methods should be determined based on the type of obesity.

Obesity can be categorized into two types: positive obesity and negative obesity. Because of these different types, the weight loss methods adopted should also differ. The principle is simple: only by addressing the root cause can effective treatment be achieved. Below are corresponding rational suggestions for these two types of obesity.

Positive obesity

(1) Features

①Overall obesity.

②The muscles are firm.

③Sweat easily.

④ Prone to constipation.

⑤ Blood pressure is prone to be high.

(2) Treatment methods

① Take frequent baths or foot baths, at least twice a week, to promote blood circulation and enhance metabolism.

② Reduce food intake. The biggest weakness of people with positive obesity is that they often overeat.

③ Drink plenty of warm beverages or tea. If you want to eat or drink something cold, it's best to drink a cup of warm water first, and avoid eating or drinking cold food or beverages on an empty stomach.

④ Eat more vegetables and fruits.

⑤ Regularly applying "fat-reducing cream" and "tightening cream" can enhance the slimming effect in specific areas and prevent the appearance of stretch marks.

⑥ Avoid fried and greasy foods, as well as desserts and snacks.

⑦ Do not eat white sugar; you can use brown sugar or honey instead. Also, avoid instant noodles and MSG.

Negative obesity

(1) Features

①Lower body obesity.

② The muscles are soft.

③ Prone to excessive phlegm and edema.

④Eating little doesn't make you thin.

⑤ Cold hands and feet.

(2) Treatment methods

① Take frequent baths or foot baths, at least three times a week, to promote blood circulation and enhance metabolism.

② Do not engage in haphazard dieting or use inappropriate weight loss methods, such as the "apple diet" or the "seven-day fast." This is because people with yin-type obesity need a method that can both lose weight and nourish the body to succeed.

③ Drink more warm beverages or tea, and avoid drinking cold beverages, otherwise the weight loss effect will be greatly reduced.

④ Eating some spicy foods, such as ginger, pepper, Sichuan pepper, and chili, can help raise body temperature and thus increase the basal metabolic rate.

⑤ Regularly applying "fat-reducing cream" or "tightening cream" can enhance the slimming effect on specific areas and prevent the appearance of stretch marks.

⑥ Avoid fried and greasy foods, as well as desserts and snacks.

⑦ Do not eat white sugar; you can use brown sugar or honey instead. Also, avoid instant noodles and MSG.