Whether you're an overweight adult or an obese child, weight loss can help you feel better about yourself and live longer. It also helps you avoid a number of serious health conditions and disease.
1. Adding more physical activity to your life
If you are sedentary, it can be hard to get enough movement in your daily routine. Adding more exercise to your day can increase your metabolism, improve your mood and boost energy levels. It can also help you manage blood pressure and diabetes, and may prevent cancer.
2. Boosting your memory
Losing weight can improve your mental functioning, including your ability to remember things. This is because your brain needs nutrients to function properly, and consuming a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein can boost your mental capabilities. Learn more about weight loss at https://www.britannica.com/science/body-weight.
3. Lowering your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes
People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of developing heart disease and hypertension than people who are not obese. These diseases can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other serious medical problems. Even losing just 5% of your body weight can lower your risks.
4. Improved insulin sensitivity
If you have type 2 diabetes, losing weight can make your pancreas work more efficiently to produce insulin to move sugar from your bloodstream into cells for energy. Food swaps can help improve your glycemic control, according to the National Institutes of Health.
5. Reduces joint pain and disability
Carrying excess weight can put a lot of strain on your joints, particularly the knees. This can cause stiffness and a decrease in mobility, especially if you have arthritis. The extra weight can also trigger inflammation and damage the cartilage in your joints, which can lead to more severe pain later in life.
6. Improves sleep quality
If you are overweight, it can be difficult to get enough sleep. Overweight people are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, which occurs when fat in the neck blocks airways during sleep. Losing just a few pounds can help improve your sleep quality and reduce the symptoms of this condition, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
7. Boosts your sex drive
When you lose weight, you may have more energy to pursue sexual pleasure and intimacy. This can improve your sex life and libido, and it can lead to better relationships.
8. Reduces anxiety and stress
If weight gain has caused you to become depressed or anxious, reducing your weight can improve your mood and reduce your stress level. This is because stress can make it harder for you to get enough sleep and can increase the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that increases blood pressure and blood sugar.
9. Fights fatigue and helps you manage your weight
Many people have a hard time controlling their appetite and find it hard to stick to variety healthy eating plan when they are hungry. Adding a snack of unsaturated fats, such as avocados or nuts, can make you feel fuller and help you control your cravings for unhealthy foods.