Weight loss is not just about fitting into a pair of skinny jeans or looking super thin. No, the reason to reach a healthy weight should instead be rooted in a better life rather than based solely on looks. Looks can fade but your overall health and well-being can still flourish.
But maybe your doctor has mentioned more than once, you need to lose weight. You look in the mirror and know your clothes are feeling tighter than usual. Your energy level and stamina are not quite like they used to be. Now maybe the time to work on reaching a healthier body weight.
If you are like most Americans, you are part of the majority of people in this country who are either overweight to obese (42% of American adults are obese according to NHANES) and would benefit from weight loss. It’s one thing to realize you are carrying excess body weight but it’s another to understand how losing weight would be beneficial to you.
The struggles of losing weight
Every year, millions of Americans will attempt weight loss and a good majority of them will lose some weight but unfortunately be unable to sustain weight loss long term. Reasons, why people fail at keeping the pounds off, are numerous. Perhaps, placing the focus on the “why” of losing weight medically instead of based on outside appearance can help you achieve and maintain healthy body weight for life.
By understanding the wide range of weight loss benefits, may motivate you during the challenges of making lifestyle changes you are not used to. All weight-loss journeys will have their moments of darkness where you think, “I can’t do this.” But by staying strong and remembering why you started on the journey, to begin with, can improve success at shedding pounds permanently.
One thing that helps is to make a list of the benefits of weight loss – write down what benefits you want to achieve and on days when you fill like quitting, read through the list to give you optimism and inspiration to continue on.
Here’s a look at the right reasons for reaching a healthier body weight:
Your health will benefit
Obviously losing weight can and will benefit your health. Studies have shown just a 5 to 10 percent reduction in your weight can bring about dramatic improvements to your health. Here are some health benefits you can expect when you drop pounds:
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes avoiding serious complications
- Lowered blood pressure
- Improved cholesterol levels
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Reduced risk of certain cancers
- Improved mobility
- Reduced joint pain
- Improved blood sugar levels
- Reduced risk of stroke
- Reduced back pain
- Reduced risk or improvement in symptoms of osteoarthritis
- Reduced risk or improvement in symptoms of sleep apnea
- Improved memory
- Less suffering from seasonal allergies and asthma
- Sex drive improves and you’ll enjoy sex more
- Fewer colds and infections
Your lifestyle will benefit
Your health is not the only benefactor or weight loss. Your lifestyle can definitely take an upswing once you have slimmed down. Here are areas you may notice lifestyle improvements in:
- Improved confidence
- Better sleep
- More active social life
- Improved mood and vitality
- Improved body image
- Improved sex life
- Improved energy
- Reduced stress
No one said losing weight is easy. It takes work, dedication, motivation, and perseverance. It can be done and when you remember why you chose to get in better shape, to begin with, it’ll make the experience that much more worthwhile.
