How Weight Loss Will Increase Your Quality of Life
Losing weight and obesity are very much hot-button topics in the world today. Some people have a warped idea of what the ideal figure should look like. Some don’t care at all and will ignore the science that sounds worrying or contradictory to their beliefs. Plenty more people are in the middle of those two extremes.
The scientific fact, however, is that being overweight – especially if you’re obese – is a dangerous thing. It puts you at elevated risk for so many more problems and disorders. Worse still, you may not even realize what you’re missing out on if you haven’t been at a healthy weight for a while.
But are any of these reasons excellent enough to justify undergoing the grueling, often discouraging, and exhausting effort it would take to work off those extra pounds? Well, why don’t you decide that for yourself? Here are five ways that losing weight can improve the quality of your life.
- Knee, Back, And Breathing Problems Are Reduced
Back pain and knee pain increases for many of us as we age, but they’re also made worse by weight gain. Think about it – it’s easier on your body to carry a 10-pound baby than a 30-pound toddler, right? The same goes for your muscles and bones. The less weight your body has to support, the less pain you’ll feel.
- You May Spend Less On Medications
Carrying fat around your belly is risky for your health. It sets you up for developing metabolic syndrome, a nasty condition with symptoms such as abnormal blood sugars, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and more. If left untreated, metabolic syndrome can lead to serious health conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
If you develop any of these conditions, your doctor likely will prescribe medications to treat them. Depending on your insurance coverage, you could spend hundreds of dollars each month for medications you may not need if you lose weight.
Losing weight lowers your heart rate and your blood pressure. For many people, it also can correct your cholesterol and blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. Diabetes and hypertension patients often are able to quit taking their medications if they stick to a healthy diet and exercise plan and maintain a healthy weight. But it’s important to check with your doctor before stopping any medication – some of these conditions aren’t strictly tied to your weight.
- Reduce Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea.
Obesity is associated with a four times higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition that involves pauses in breathing while sleeping. So it makes sense that losing 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can improve the condition. In fact, according to the Obesity Action Coalition, dropping this amount of weight can improve sleep apnea and may even allow someone with the condition to work with their sleep physician to wean themselves from a CPAP breathing machine, a device used to help keep the airways open during sleep.
- Lower Your Diabetes Risk.
Losing just a small amount of weight can significantly reduce your risk of diabetes. The 2011 Study published in the journal Diabetes Care also revealed that people who lost at least 5 percent of their body weight were more likely to drop their hemoglobin A1C level, an estimate of blood sugar levels over a 3-month time period, by half a percentage point
- Your Sex Life Improves
For men, being overweight lowers their testosterone levels. Body fat contains an enzyme that signals the body to produce less testosterone over time. In turn, you feel sluggish, irritable, and tired. Low testosterone also can cause you to desire sex less often, which can strain your relationship with your partner.
Obesity and low testosterone levels also can lead to erectile dysfunction, which often makes men feel depressed and unable to satisfy their partners.
The Best Choice for Your New Jersey Weight Loss Journey
If you’re ready to try a new weight loss plan that can help you sleep, provide extra energy, and decrease your cravings, call Garrow Wellness Center today or book a consultation online. We’re ready to help you live your best life at your ideal weight.