Most of us have weight goals to reach. It can be losing, maintaining, or gaining extra mass. The reasons and methods are always different and depend on the person’s aspirations. It could be to lose weight to look like lean models in a magazine or gain weight to look like other celebrities. Regardless, everyone has a healthy weight that depends on their height and bone density, among other factors. Reaching and keeping that healthy weight should be in itself the ultimate goal. Here’s why it’s so important for you to lose weight and be healthy:
It Lowers Risks Of Serious Disease
Most doctors talk to their patients about their weight. They advise them to lose, gain, or simply maintain their weight to stay healthy. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and heart attacks. Obesity is directly linked to type 2 diabetes. Cancer is another disease that can be triggered by being obese. Maintaining a healthy weight can decrease the risk of those diseases, and even reverse symptoms when you lose weight.
It Lowers the Risk of Joint Problems
You’ll be surprised to find out how many people can suffer from joint pain because they don’t maintain a healthy weight. Joint pain can be a symptom of a condition called arthritis, which is the swelling and tenderness of joints. If you suffer joint pain, you will be advised to lose weight. There are sustainable weight loss programs that can help you reach your healthy weight. There’s more here about weight loss programs. Do your research and read reviews to figure out the best program for you.
It Helps Immune System and Reduces Inflammations
Did you know that fats can turn your immune system against you? Studies show excessive fat can create pro-inflammatory cells that allow inflammation in your body. And chronic inflammation can lead to other diseases. The good news is, losing as little as 13 pounds ( 6 kilos), can help fight the pro-inflammatory cells and keep them at normal levels.
It Reduces the Risk of Infertility
Obese and overweight women are at risk of becoming infertile. That’s because excess weight can cause hormonal imbalance, menstrual disorders, and ovulation problems. Obesity is also closely associated with PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which is a cause of low fertility or infertility. For a woman to get pregnant, have a safe pregnancy, and a healthy baby, she needs to be in good shape. Similarly, obesity in men can reduce fertility due to hormone and erection problems. And getting to a healthy weight can reverse that and increase sperm count and quality.
It Improves Quality of Sleep and Helps Energy Levels
Research shows there’s a connection between obesity and sleep problems. Belly fat can get in a way of breathing well during sleep, causing sleeping problems, like sleep apnea. Losing weight can help you get better quality sleep. And better quality sleep, in turn, increases energy levels and keeps you more productive. If you lose 10% of your weight only, you might experience better sleep, according to experts.
It Facilitates Physical Exercise
If your weight is healthy, it means you probably don’t have serious conditions or joint pain. It also means you breathe well, sleep well, and have good energy levels. Then, it makes sense that you do better at physical exercise than if you were overweight or obese. It gives back to you too; the more you exercise the more you lose weight and it becomes easier to perform harder exercises. And of course, harder exercises can motivate metabolism and help you lose more weight.
You Could Live Longer
All of these reasons can also make you live longer. Some studies suggest that an obese person has a lower life span by up to 10 years. The exact number might not be that accurate according to other scientists. Though it’s plain to see that the serious diseases caused by obesity like cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, and strokes can factually take away years from someone’s life.
You can start your weight loss journey at any weight and any age. Losing even little amounts of your fat and body mass can lead to much-improved health. After one month of a healthier lifestyle, you might not notice that much difference in your appearance, but you will begin to notice that your health has drastically improved. You will sleep better, breathe better, and do better at exercising. You might start to notice that your back pain is alleviated or is no longer as severe. You will have better self-esteem because you will start believing in yourself and your ability to change your life.