Health Benefits of Weight Loss: A New You is Just Around the Corner!

Imagine bringing your family together at the dinner table and having to tell them that you have just found out that you are at an increased risk of having a stroke, at any moment. Is that the story you want to tell your kids at night? I sure hope not. The health benefits of weight loss can prevent a plethora of diseases, help level out your body systems, and keep you living strong and long.

There is a strong relationship between your personal sense of involvement with, and your investment in, weight loss and the potential for succeeding on any weight loss plan. One way to increase your sense of investment in this problem is to learn how losing weight will reduce your risk of having some health problems that we all would like to avoid.

Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death and disability for both men and women in the United States. Overweight, unhealthy, people are more likely to have high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol and blood fats, and angina, a problem that involves chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart.

Reducing your weight by 5-10 percent can decrease your chance of developing heart disease or having a stroke. So why not start now, get off the couch and let’s start living a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy weight loss isn't just about a "diet" or "program". It's about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits.

Let’s be honest though, losing weight is not easy, and it takes commitment. The good news is that no matter what your weight loss goal is, even a modest weight loss, such as 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight, is likely to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar.

For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, a 5 percent weight loss equals 10 pounds, bringing your weight down to 190 pounds. While this weight may still be in the "overweight" or "obese" range, this modest weight loss can decrease your risk factors for chronic diseases related to obesity.

So even if the overall goal seems large, see it as a journey rather than just a final destination. You'll learn new eating and physical activity habits that will help you live a healthier lifestyle. These habits may help you maintain your weight loss over time. In addition to improving your health, maintaining weight loss is likely to improve your life in other ways.

For example, a study of participants in the National Weight Control Registry found that those who had maintained a significant weight loss reported improvements in not only their physical health, but also their energy levels, physical mobility, general mood, and self-confidence.

I believe that if we live a healthy lifestyle, which includes healthy eating, of course, but also exercise, getting reasonable amounts of sunshine, fresh air, enjoying love and friendships with others, that goal to live longer becomes one that is realistic and we can feel excited about our future, not dread it.

A big self-motivation factor for many people is vanity. We want to look good. Many Americans need to lose weight. Big time. A healthy diet can help with that. To start your healthy lifestyle you have many options available to you.

Make getting healthy fun! Start enjoying the health benefits of weight loss by getting together with friends and family to figure out ways to help each other. We do this at work, school, or for a social club, so why shouldn’t we do it for our number one priority – ourselves!

Getting into shape and being healthy can be as simple as any other day-to-day routine. Working in daily motivation can be just the boost you need to keep yourself healthy and fit in the long term.

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