Weight Loss Programs for Women
In Philadelphia & New Jersey

Women Face Unique Physical Challenges with Weight Loss.

When it comes to losing weight, women face a very different set of physical challenges than men.

Factors like fluctuating hormones, naturally lower levels of lean muscle mass, and a slower metabolism all play a role in how the female body stores and burns fat.

These biological differences can make women’s weight loss feel more difficult and progress harder to maintain — especially with age.

Hormones Impact Women’s Weight Loss

Hormones like estrogen and progesterone shift throughout a woman’s monthly cycle, influencing everything from appetite and energy levels to mood, water retention, and how the body stores fat.

These hormonal fluctuations can lead to increased cravings, bloating, and changes in metabolism — all of which can make consistent progress with women’s weight loss more challenging.

These changes can make women’s weight loss more unpredictable.

Men benefit from higher levels of testosterone, which helps with muscle building and fat burning.

That’s why weight loss programs for women must consider hormone cycles, perimenopause, and menopause to be effective.

Stress & Sleep Sabotage Women’s Weight Loss

Women are more likely to deal with chronic stress and disrupted sleep — both of which affect weight.

Elevated cortisol (the stress hormone) promotes fat storage, especially around the midsection.

Poor sleep quality also affects hunger hormones, making it harder to control cravings.

Over time, this combination can sabotage even the most consistent efforts to lose weight, which is why addressing stress and sleep is an essential part of our approach to women’s weight loss.

Women Have a Slower Metabolism

One key reason women’s weight loss is slower than men’s is due to differences in body composition.

Women naturally have a higher percentage of body fat and less lean muscle mass compared to men.

Since muscle burns more calories at rest, this difference contributes to a slower resting metabolic rate.

As a result, women often need to consume fewer calories to maintain or lose weight, even when following the same diet and exercise routines as men.

Additionally, age-related muscle loss, especially after menopause, can further slow metabolism and make it harder to achieve noticeable fat loss without a personalized, medically guided approach.

At Dr. Fortino’s clinics, our weight loss treatment for women, focuses on boosting metabolism by preserving and building lean muscle, adjusting nutrition, and using evidence-based strategies for sustainable fat loss.

Women Store Fat Differently

Women tend to store fat in areas like the hips, thighs, and buttocks — spots that are harder to slim down.

This pattern, often called “gynoid fat distribution,” is largely driven by estrogen and is designed to support fertility and pregnancy.

Although subcutaneous fat is less harmful than visceral belly fat, it tends to be more resistant to diet and exercise. This can make progress feel slow and discouraging—especially for women experiencing age-related or hormonal changes, such as menopause.

Fat in these areas is subcutaneous, meaning it lies just beneath the skin and is typically burned off more slowly than deeper abdominal fat.

On top of that, blood flow in the lower body is lower compared to the midsection, making it harder for the body to mobilize fat from those regions during workouts.

At Dr. Fortino’s weight loss clinics for women, we understand how stubborn this type of fat can be — and we tailor our weight loss programs for women to address it using strategies that boost metabolism, preserve lean muscle, and support long-term fat loss in the areas where women tend to struggle most.

Dieting Affects Women More Intensely

Crash diets and extreme calorie restriction often backfire for women. Instead of promoting lasting fat loss, these approaches can slow down metabolism, increase cravings, disrupt hormone balance and menstrual cycles, and lead to fatigue or nutrient deficiencies.

For many women, this creates a frustrating cycle of temporary weight loss followed by rapid regain — often leaving them feeling discouraged, defeated, and unsure of what to try next.

Reclaim Your Health. Live Better. Live Fully.

Why Low Iron Affects Women’s Health and Weight Loss?

Low iron — also known as iron deficiency — is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in women.

It doesn’t just cause fatigue; it can also make it harder to lose weight, exercise effectively, and feel your best.

Without enough iron, your body struggles to carry oxygen to your muscles and brain, which can lead to slower metabolism, poor workout performance, and increased burnout during weight loss efforts.

Monthly Blood Loss

Due to menstruation, women lose iron regularly, putting them at higher risk for deficiency.

Heavy periods especially can lead to chronically low iron levels, impacting energy, focus, and physical performance — all of which are crucial in a successful weight loss program for women.

Fatigue and Low Energy

Iron is essential for carrying oxygen in the blood.

When iron levels are low, the body can’t efficiently transport oxygen to your muscles and brain.

This can cause:

• Constant tiredness
• Brain fog
• Shortness of breath during workouts

That’s why iron deficiency can make it feel like your weight loss efforts are going nowhere — your body simply doesn’t have the energy to burn fat efficiently.

Slowed Metabolism

Without enough iron, your metabolism can slow down. The body shifts into conservation mode, which may reduce how many calories you burn at rest.

This can make non-surgical weight loss treatments or traditional diet plans less effective unless iron levels are addressed.

Nutrient Pairing with B12

Low iron often goes hand-in-hand with vitamin B12 deficiency — another key player in women’s energy and metabolism.

That’s why many weight loss clinics for women include B12 shots for women as part of comprehensive weight loss services.

Iron & Fatigue in Women’s Weight Loss

Iron is vital for oxygen transport and energy production.

Low iron can lead to fatigue, weakness, poor workout performance, and even a slower metabolism — all of which interfere with non-surgical weight loss progress.

Because women naturally lose iron through menstruation and are more prone to deficiency, low iron can be a hidden factor in fatigue, low energy, and slower weight loss progress.

In many cases, incorporating iron-rich foods or supplements into your routine can support energy and overall wellness as part of your weight loss treatment for women.

Increase Energy, Boost Metabolism, Replenish Nutrients.

Why Women May Need More Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 plays a major role in energy production, red blood cell formation, and brain function — but many women don’t get enough.

B12 helps convert the food you eat into usable energy, supports healthy nerve function, and plays a key role in metabolism.

Low levels of B12 can lead to fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, and difficulty losing weight — symptoms that often go overlooked or are mistaken for other issues.

Women following low-calorie, vegetarian, or vegan diets are especially at risk, as B12 is primarily found in animal-based foods.

At Dr. Fortino’s weight loss clinics for women, we offer Super B12 Injections for women as well as Dr. Fortino’s custom blended Boost MIC Lipotropic Oral Spray Supplement to help replenish low levels, boost energy, and support healthy, sustainable weight loss from the inside out.

Here’s why:

Hormonal Fluctuations

Women experience regular hormonal shifts due to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, all of which can affect nutrient absorption and increase the body’s demand for certain vitamins — including vitamin B12.

Dietary Gaps

Many women follow low-calorie, vegetarian, or vegan diets during their weight loss journey.

Since B12 is mostly found in animal-based foods (meat, eggs, dairy), women on plant-based diets are especially prone to deficiency.

Additionally, some women unintentionally limit nutrient intake by relying heavily on salads or avoiding healthy fats in an effort to lose weight quickly.

While these foods may seem like the “right” choices, a lack of variety — especially in protein and fat sources — can lead to deficiencies that impact energy, mood, and metabolism.

At Dr. Fortino’s weight loss clinics for women, we take a high-protein, healthy fat, and nutrient-dense approach to nutrition.

Our goal is to help women fuel their bodies properly while still reaching their weight loss goals.

When appropriate, we offer Super B12 shots for women to help correct deficiencies and support your body’s natural ability to burn fat and feel energized.

Digestive & Absorption Issues

Women are more likely to suffer from conditions like IBS, low stomach acid, or gut imbalances that affect how well nutrients like B12 are absorbed.

These digestive issues can limit the body’s ability to break down food and extract key vitamins, even when following a healthy diet.

Inflammation, leaky gut, and poor gut flora can also impair absorption, leaving many women unknowingly deficient.

Certain medications, such as birth control pills, acid reducers (like proton pump inhibitors), and even some diabetes medications, can further interfere with B12 absorption over time.

This combination of digestive challenges and medication side effects can make it harder for women to maintain optimal nutrient levels — which can affect metabolism, energy, mood, and weight loss efforts.

Dr. Fortino’s weight loss clinics for women offer Super B12 injections for women that bypass the digestive system, delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream for faster, more effective results.

This can be especially helpful for women who struggle with absorption or who simply need an energy and metabolism boost to support their weight loss journey.

Fatigue & Metabolic Support

Because women often juggle demanding schedules — careers, family, workouts — they may experience more fatigue.

The constant physical and mental load can lead to burnout, low motivation, and difficulty staying consistent with healthy habits.

Vitamin B12 plays a critical role in helping the body convert food into usable energy, supporting mood balance, and enhancing fat metabolism — all essential for sustainable progress.

Low B12 levels can contribute to exhaustion, brain fog, irritability, and even mild depression, which can derail even the most well-intentioned weight loss efforts.

That’s why B12 is a key component in many of our women’s weight loss programs and non-surgical weight loss treatments.

Our Philadelphia and New Jersey weight loss clinics for women offer B12 shots for women as part of a personalized approach to help boost energy, improve focus, and support long-term fat loss.

Aging & Hormonal Changes

Vitamin B12 plays a critical role in helping the body convert food into usable energy, supporting mood balance, and enhancing fat metabolism — all essential for sustainable progress.

B12 levels can decline due to factors like age, restrictive diets, digestive issues, or certain medications that interfere with nutrient absorption — all of which are common among women.

Low B12 levels can contribute to exhaustion, brain fog, irritability, and even mild depression, which can derail even the most well-intentioned weight loss efforts.

That’s why B12 is a key component in many of our women’s weight loss programs and non-surgical weight loss treatments.

Our weight loss clinics in Philadelphia and in New Jersey offer B12 shots for women as part of a personalized approach to help boost energy, improve focus, and support long-term fat loss.

Reclaim Your Health. Live Better. Live Fully.