Losing weight is, for most people, an uphill task that requires a lot of effort and dedication to achieve. But the benefits usually outweigh the struggles you go through while working on your body, as anyone who embarks on that journey soon experiences. Whether you want to lose a little or much weight, you’ll reap the benefits in some way if you can keep yourself motivated long enough. Research shows that even as little as 5% weight loss has a significant impact on your health.
While the most visible signs of weight loss are a slimmer body and improved body image, there are also other benefits that aren’t so visible. Internally, weight loss does a lot more to ensure that the body functions in its optimal capacity. From regulating hormones to increased energy and physical capacity, the benefits of weight loss to the body are immense.
So, as you prepare to fit in new outfits after the weight loss, you should also be aware of these other benefits you stand to gain, health-wise:
- Stronger Bones And Joints
When you’re heavier, there’s more stress to the weight-carrying joints such as the knees, hips, and lower back. The wear and tear of the protective cartilage around these joints can cause osteoarthritis. The condition may cause loss of mobility, stiffness of the joints, and pain. By weighing off, you could lower the rate of the condition’s progression by relieving stress on the protective cartilage.
What this means is that it’ll probably be easier for you to perform activities you had trouble performing earlier due to the ease of movement in your joints. Research conducted on osteoporotic patients showed that physical exercises may help with the stimulation for osteoporosis treatment and bone formation. If you lower your weight, your joints and bones will have lesser weight to carry around, which may help with your general wellness.
- May Help Control Diabetes
Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are directly linked. Obesity causes an increase in inflammation and fatty acids, which in turn causes insulin resistance, leading to Type 2 diabetes. According to research, too much fat in the pancreas may result in the poor functioning of beta cells, which are responsible for the storage and release of insulin. That’s why shedding off the extra weight may help boost the functionality of the pancreas and its ability to control blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes patients who lose weight are believed to show a reduced dependence on medication to control their blood sugar. That’s why weight loss in diabetes patients is encouraged as it could help them manage their condition much better.
- Lowered Blood Pressure And Improved Cholesterol
Heart issues and obesity are linked. High cholesterol, blood pressure, and coronary artery disease are some of the risks you might face when you’re overweight. High blood pressure can cause damage to artery walls, and high cholesterol increases the damage and complications to the heart even more.
Therefore, losing weight is believed to lower the risk of these conditions significantly. A study showed that patients who lost between 5 and 10% of their body weight indicated lowered cholesterol triglycerides. Those who further decreased their body weight showed even better improvement.
- Regulated Asthma
People who are obese are said to be at a higher risk of developing asthma than those who aren’t. However, there’s no known reason why that’s the case, although some experts believe it’s due to the expansion of the adipose tissue caused by systemic inflammation. Also, it’s believed that the extra fat tissue produces substances that can cause inflammation to the lungs.
It’s known that weight loss helps people manage asthma by improving lung function. Since asthma is a breathing issue, experts believe that this improved lung function could result in a fewer number of asthma attacks.
- Better Quality Sleep
Excess body fat and body weight has been said to increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnea. This condition occurs when the airway of the body is blocked during sleep. The blockages cause frequent awakening, increasing the risk of other conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. It’s believed that when a person loses weight, they begin to have improved breathing, which results in undisturbed and longer sleep.
- Reduced Heartburn
Extra weight puts a lot of pressure on your gut which may cause increased reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. If you’re obese, there’s an increased possibility that you’ll experience more frequent heartburns. This may cause bleeding, chronic scarring, and ulcers if not treated or managed well.
The scarring narrows down your esophagus, interfering with your ability to swallow. Heartburns may lead to even more severe health complications. It’s believed that weight loss relieves your stomach some of this pressure, thus reducing the frequency of heartburns.
- Minimized Possibility Of Cancer
In one study, results showed that older women reduced their chances of breast cancer by 12% by losing 5% of their body weight. While there’s no concrete proof that weight loss can lower the risk of developing cancer, reducing some weight has been said to balance hormones. The hormones linked to breast cancer are androgens and estrogens.
If there’s a chance that weight loss can reduce the risk of cancer, then it’s a great motivation in losing some pounds!
- Bring Down Inflammation
Belly fat cells are said to release some chemicals that may cause irritation and inflammation to body tissues. These inflammations are connected to other health conditions such as heart disease and attack, arthritis, and stroke. Losing at least 10% of your body weight is believed to aid in the reduction of these chemicals’ release. Therefore, you may have lowered the chances of contracting other serious health problems upon losing weight.
Make Small Changes And Reap Huge Benefits
Even small reductions in your weight are likely to improve your overall health significantly. Experts say that 5-10% weight loss may help increase the body’s natural ability to control blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol. So, it’s better to try and make progress, however little, rather than not trying at all. In no time, you’ll start to reap the health benefits of weight loss. Weight loss also largely contributes to a positive self-image, confidence, and better mood.
Another significant step associated with weight loss is staying healthy. This can be achieved by watching what you eat and following a healthy and restrictive diet. Stay physically active by setting aside some time for exercise and being consistent. Monitor your eating habits, exercise routines, and weight. You’ll realize afterward that you’ll have reduced trips to the doctor’s office and need to take the medication in your cabinet.
