Do you have problems reaching the top
shelf? Is it even harder to find an outfit of your size? These problems,
that have stumbled across your way due to the fact that you are on the
shorter side, might make life seem harder than usual.
Then, you
hear that it might be harder to lose weight if you are short. And you
hope that it’s a myth that has no logical or scientific reason behind
it. Well, it’s time to find out!
Why is it harder to lose weight when you are short?
Let’s
assume that you are 5’2” and your friend is 5’8”. Then, you will be
required to consume far less amount of calories than your friend in
order to lose the same amount of weight; considering all the other
factors including activity level and overall health, are constant.
This
is because your muscle mass and the speed at which your metabolism
works are directly related to each other i.e. the more muscle mass you
have, the more calories you are likely to burn doing the same activity.
Taller people have more muscle mass just owing to their body structure.
Thus, they are more likely to burn calories faster than shorter people,
while doing the same activity. This is the reason why shorter people
have to follow
diet tips for slow metabolism more rigorously than taller people do.
Your
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) determines how many calories your body burns
at rest. Lean muscle mass has an impact on your BMR. The more lean
muscle you have, the higher your BMR will be, and the more you can eat.
Thus, higher your BMR is, the less work you have to do to account for
extra calories eaten.
An average woman has a BMR of 1,400 calories
per day. Women who are shorter than 5 feet have BMRs of 1,200 calories
while those who are taller than 5’9” have BMRs of about 1,750 or more.
These figures indicate the number of calories lost if a person sleeps
for 24 hours. It is evidently clear, the taller you are, the more
calories you burn with lesser effort.
So, how do short women stay in shape?
Looking
for some weight loss tips? Being short is just a roadblock in your
quest to lose weight and it’s definitely not the end. You can easily
lose weight if you do it the right way. We’ve got the
best weight loss program for women that you can use to keep yourself in shape.
These
short girl weight loss tips can help you immensely in your “quest for shape” –
- You need a diet plan to lose weight:
In order to lose weight, you need to take in the right amount of
calories that you can burn through the course of the day. It is also
necessary to have the calories in the right form. Protein is really good
for weight loss and so are vitamins and minerals. Protein not only
keeps you fuller for longer, but it helps your body build and repair
muscles -just what you need for a higher BMR. Vitamins and minerals are
also very helpful for your muscle mass.
- Lift weights: You
can catch up with the metabolic rates of your taller friends by lifting
weights. Keep this in mind that the heavier you lift, the better off
you are. Thus, it is better to lift 10kg weights once rather than
lifting 4kg weights thrice. Since lifting weights will increase your
metabolism, it will help you burn calories faster. In turn, this will
help you grow thinner.
- Eat for your needs: While
it is unhealthy to eat more than you need just to satisfy your mind, it
is also unhealthy to go on a crash diet as it slows up your metabolism
even further. Thus, it is in your best interests that you eat for your
needs, not more or less.
- Consult an expert: Speak to a registered dietitian or a health expert regarding what is the best way to go forward for you. Also, there is a BMI calculator for women and calorie calculator for weight loss that will help you go about in planning your way forward in terms of your diet.
With
this, we can conclude, it is hard to lose weight when you are short,
but surely not impossible! With the right kind of diet and lifestyle,
there’s always hope.