Physical benefits of weight loss
Weight loss can help you live a longer, healthier life, but do you know how it benefits your body and mind?
Weight loss is about more than fitting into smaller clothes. By maintaining a healthy weight, you could improve your mobility and mood, and you’ll also lower your risk for serious illnesses.
Even a modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight is likely to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars.
For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, a 5 percent weight loss equals 10 pounds, bringing your weight down to 190 pounds. While this weight may still be in the “overweight” or “obese” range, this modest weight loss can decrease your risk factors for chronic diseases related to obesity.
So even if the overall goal seems large, see it as a journey rather than just a final destination. You’ll learn new eating and physical activity habits that will help you live a healthier lifestyle. These habits may help you maintain your weight loss over time.
Other benefits of weight loss can include:
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower levels of triglycerides
- Less risk of heart disease
- Improved mobility and reduced pain
- Better sex and less erectile dysfunction
- Improved mood
- Better sleep
- Higher self-esteem
- Improved insulin resistance
- Lower risk for multiple cancers
Though a better mood and sleep aren’t always simple to track, there’s no doubt that weight loss can have a quantifiable impact.