Benefits of being a healthy weight

Reaching or maintaining a healthy weight pays off in many ways. It lowers your risk of heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.

In fact, weight loss works better than drugs at lowering blood pressure in women with and without hypertension. Losing weight also helps you become more sensitive to insulin, which will help you avoid type 2 diabetes. These effects are especially beneficial to women after menopause, when they are more vulnerable to heart disease.

Losing weight can help us live longer as obesity contributes to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes – five of the most common leading causes of death.

Regardless of the major health benefits, slimming down also improves quality of life. Think about it, losing extra weight will help you:

• Breathe more easily

• Sit more comfortably in cinema and aeroplane seats

• Get into and out of your car with ease

• Wear belted skirts and trousers

• Tie up your shoes effortlessly

• Wear a swimsuit and enjoy going to the beach without feeling self conscious

• Give you the confidence to try new things, like rock climbing

• Live to see your grandchildren and great grandchildren

• Improve your sex life and overall energy level.

 

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