Live your life to the fullest
16 Reasons To Lose Weight
August 13, 2011Search more topics here
Most people want to lose weight because of the obvious reasons; they want to look better, be more attractive and they don’t want to be fat because being fat carries a stigma in our society of being lazy and unattractive. Wherever you look skinny people are idolized in magazines, on TV and on the Internet as being popular, attractive and successful. Everyone wants these qualities because it boosts self-esteem, which is something that people who are overweight battle with on a daily basis. From a very young age right up until adulthood, being overweight comes with a self-consciousness. The 21st century has brought about a health craze, now more than ever people are trying to lose weight. With TV shows like the “Biggest Loser” and “Dance You’re A** Off” we are promoting not only losing weight but becoming healthier. There are so many reasons to want to lose weight however the healthier reasons should be closer to the top of the list rather than the aesthetic ones. Use these reasons to motivate you to lose excess weight.
1. Reduce Asthma Symptoms-
Although asthma is not caused by
extra weight on the body, excess weight can worsen and aggravate asthma
symptoms. When your overweight, the respiratory system has to work harder.
Excess weight puts a strain on the lungs and adrenal glands, which manage
asthma symptoms. Losing weight can reduce asthma symptoms as well as minimize
the frequency of their appearance.
2. Better Breathing-
Excess weight puts pressure on the
internal organs, which include your lungs. More weight puts strain on the lungs
making them have to work harder to breath in oxygen and breath out carbon
dioxide. By losing weight, there is less pressure on your lungs making it
easier for oxygen and nutrients to be spread throughout the body.
3. Improve Blood Pressure-
Overweight people have double the
risk for hypertension (high blood pressure). This is caused because the excess
weight puts pressure on the veins, making the heart have to pump harder to push
the blood throughout the body. When you lose weight its easier for the blood to
circulate throughout the body therefore lowering blood pressure.
4. Decrease the Risk of Heart Disease-
Excess weight around
the abdominal section of the body increases the risk for life threatening
diseases such as heart disease. To reduce this risk you need to lose weight,
especially around the mid section.
5. Lower Cholesterol-
Being overweight increases your risk of
having high LDL bad cholesterol, and low HDL good cholesterol. By losing weight
you can lower LDL, lower total cholesterol and improve HDL cholesterol. It can
also keep you off cholesterol medications that your doctor may recommend.
6. Decrease Medication-
Many medications, prescriptions and
OTC medications can be traced back to carrying excess weight on the body.
Doctors prescribe all types of medications for people who are overweight such
as blood pressure (antihypertensive), cholesterol (statin), insulin for
diabetes, and drugs to lower blood sugars. However, by losing weight you can reduce the need for these
medications. You can even reverse the effects so medication is no longer
needed.
7. Reverse Type 2 Diabetes-
Obesity is a major risk factor
for Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes is the most common disease for people who are
overweight. However, you can reverse the effects by losing weight. Weight loss
is the most recommended treatment for people who are borderline diabetic. By
losing weight you can regulate blood sugar levels and normalize insulin
secretion in the body.
8. Reduced Risk of Cancer-
Obesity has been linked to some
forms of cancer. Women who are overweight are more prone to have breast cancer,
cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer. Men who are overweight are more prone to
prostate and colon cancer. By losing weight you reduce the risk for any and all
of these cancers.
9. Relieve Arthritis Pain-
Excess weight puts added pressure
on the joints such as the knees and ankles. For people who have arthritis,
inflammation in these joints already reduces mobility and function. By losing
weight you can reduce the pressure on these joints, which can relieve arthritis
pain. It will also improve function in these joints making it easier to move.
10 Relieve Aches and Pains-
Our feet bear all the weight of
our entire body. The more weight you have the more stress your feet have to
bear on a daily basis. When you lose weight there is less pressure on your feet
making it easier to move around and be active.
11. Better Skin-
With every pound of extra weight, the more
your skin stretches. As we age the elasticity in your skin declines. Therefore
having excess weight as you age will decrease the ability of your skins
elasticity. Additionally ones diet can cause changes in ones skin color and
elasticity. Overweight people consume larger amounts of carbohydrates and sugars,
which causes skin to be paler in color and can increase the amount of skin
tags, excess growths of skin on the outside of the body. By reducing these
types of foods in ones diet, you can lose weight and also revitalize the skin.
12. Sleep Sound-
People who are overweight have a higher
risk for sleep disorders. Excess weight can increase the likelihood of
diminished sleep due to sleep apnea. Sleep apnea disrupts sound sleep, which
reduces the ability to sleep all the way through the night. By losing weight
you can decrease sleep apnea symptoms and sleep all the way through the night.
13. Increased Endurance and Stamina-
With every extra pound
added to ones weight, you reduce the ability to do every day activities because
you become tired or winded. As these activities become difficult you try to
avoid them or find ways around them. However if you lose weight it becomes
easier to walk, exercise, climb stairs, etc.
14. Better Mood-
When one is overweight the bodies system is
out of balance. This includes the amount of hormones that control mood.
Overweight people are at risk for severe depression and most suffer from
depressive feelings. Additionally depression can cause one to become overweight
because depression reduces the desire to help or prevent themselves from
becoming overweight. Losing weight can improve ones overall well being,
boosting self-image and self-confidence. Exercise increases the release of
endorphins, a hormone that enhances mood, which eliminates depressive feelings. To balance the hormones in the body
reduce the amount of fat tissue in the body.
15. Increase Quality of Life-
Overweight people typically
suffer from low self esteem, have feelings of shame, and are more socially
isolated. Additionally, sexual performance can be compromised by excess weight.
When you lose weight you become more confident in yourself. You have confidence
in your appearance and you feel better about not only the way you look but also
yourself in general. This improves your ability to meet people, gain friends,
socialize, and have romantic relationships.
16. Increase Longevity-
Added weight on the body not only
increases the risk of disease, but it reduces ones life expectancy. Losing
weight can drastically increase the length of ones life. Eating healthier and
exercising can increase the longevity of ones life. This includes eliminating
and avoiding bad habits.
