For many people when it comes to losing weight, the only focus is morning weigh-in or fitting into those jeans by the end of the month. However, while these may be the traditional metric of weight loss progress, it can most often be the most misleading one. There are many more reasons to lose weight other than a loss on the scales.
This way of tracking weight loss progress will not highlight the non-scale victories. This details the health improvements resulting from the smaller lifestyle changes that can go un-noticed if you are focused on the number on the scale.
The journey towards a healthier lifestyle is not only a lower weight; it is also improvements to your brain, immune system, and social environment that can contribute to energy levels, confidence and overall wellbeing.
6 Physical Health Benefits to Losing Weight
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Excess weight, especially round the waist, can lead to the buildup of fatty material within the arteries that are crucial for carrying blood to the organs. This process is known as atherosclerosis. This is the risk factor for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
By losing weight, you can significantly lower the risk of these conditions and protect your body from long-term damage that being obese or overweight can cause. Losing weight can reduce the risk of developing conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease, which may contribute to a stroke. Improved heart health is a key benefit to losing weight.
Better Blood Sugar Control
Weight loss can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose utilisation; therefore, your body can use more insulin to control the levels of blood sugar in your body. Alongside that intentional weight loss decreases the risk of progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes. Studies such as the DiRECT study, have shown that weight loss can be linked to a slight or complete remission of diabetes in those with previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases
Losing weight can work to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome. By losing weight, this can reduce risk factors and prevent the onset of metabolic syndrome. When a person is overweight or obese, they have an excess of adipose tissue which can promote chronic low-grade inflammation. This inflammation can be a key player in many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers.
Joint and Mobility Improvements
Having excess weight can put stress on your joints, particularly if you are obese or overweight. This can directly impact the weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips. Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly reduce stress on your body. With less weight, the joints will experience less wear and tear, potentially slowing the progression of joint diseases like osteoarthritis. The Arthritis Foundation states that in a study of overweight and obese adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA) found that losing one pound of weight resulted in four pounds of pressure being removed from the knees. In other words, losing just 10 pounds would relieve 40 pounds of pressure from your knees.
Additionally, as you lose weight, you may find it easier to move around and to exercise. This can help to strengthen the muscles around the joints, providing better support and stability to the joints. This can make completing daily activities much easier.
Enhanced Respiratory and Sleep Health
We know that 60-90% of adults who suffer from sleep apnea are overweight. If you can lose up to 10% of your body weight, you can alleviate your sleep apnoea, while a larger amount of weight loss can eliminate its symptoms completely. This is a major reason to lose weight if you suffer from sleep apnoea as with healthy weight loss you can completely resolve the discomfort and disturbed sleep.
Fertility and Reproductive Health
Being at a healthy weight can significantly improve fertility, as when you are overweight fertility can cause hormonal imbalances, problems with ovulation and menstrual disorders. Losing weight can also improve assisted reproduction, such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Being overweight can have an impact on testosterone within the body, and by losing weight you can restore your body to healthy levels.
Top 3 Mental and Emotional Benefits to Losing weight
Weight loss can be commonly associated with physical benefits like improved mobility, lowered cholesterol and improved heart health. However, sustainable fat loss can have measurable effects on your mental health, including mood, cognitive function and self-perception.
Boosted Mood and Mental Health
Weight loss combined with exercise has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers and improve neurotransmitter balance which can play a key role in the regulation of your mood. Another benefit to losing weight and being able to have regular physical activity will stimulate the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These neurochemicals can play a role in feeling increased motivation and improved overall emotional well-being.
Enhanced Cognitive Function
Excess visceral body fat is largely associated with systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Both factors can impact negatively on overall cognitive performance. One of the benefits to weight loss is the improved metabolic efficiency which will work to enhance concentration and memory. With weight loss and improved nutrition come more stable glucose levels, this can contribute to reducing brain fog and more sustained mental energy during the day.
Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem
When losing weight, physical changes can become more noticeable in the mirror and on the scale, many individuals will experience a more favoured perception of their own body. This can strengthen your overall confidence and self-worth. This improved self-perception can translate to many different areas of your day-to-day life, such as more assertive communication or increased willingness to socialise with others and therefore reduced social anxiety. In addition to the social and personal benefits, losing weight can reinforce that long-term goals are achievable. This self-belief can translate to other parts of your life such as career, relationships, and overall personal development.
Overall, there are many reasons to lose weight. Success and achievements do not have to be measured by the numbers on the scale. The mental, physical and lifestyle benefits to losing weight can also be used as metrics and motivation for your journey. These benefits may provide more reason to lose weight further along in your journey and ultimately be more rewarding in the long-term.
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