successful weight loss

Secret benefits of weight loss You already know weight loss can help you live a longer, healthier life, but do you know how it benefits your body and mind? Weight loss is about more than fitting into smaller jeans. By maintaining a healthy weight, you could improve your mobility and mood, and you’ll also lower your risk for serious illnesses. “If you control your weight better, you have a lower risk of cancer,” says Jeffrey McDaniel, M.D., a Piedmont obesity medicine physician. Weight loss can also reduce chronic pain and ward off diabetes. What’s more, shedding even a few pounds can improve your health. Though many people fixate on a “goal weight,” Dr. McDaniel encourages patients to take small steps toward a healthier overall outlook. “Don’t have a dieting mentality,” he explains. “Have a lifestyle-change mentality.” How weight loss improves your health When Dr. McDaniel sees new patients, he asks what motivates them to get in shape. People may want to manage back pain, fight prediabetes or look better for a big event. But, Dr. McDaniel says, the benefits don’t stop there. Other benefits of weight loss can include: Lower blood pressure Lower levels of triglycerides Less risk of heart disease Improved mobility and reduced pain Better sex and less erectile dysfunction Improved mood Better sleep Higher self-esteem Improved insulin resistance Lower risk for multiple cancers Though a better mood and sleep aren’t always simple to track, there’s no doubt that weight loss can have a quantifiable impact. “These are direct, measurable effects,” Dr. McDaniel says. Why is weight loss so hard? Even given the many benefits, most people struggle to lose pounds and keep them off. The difficulties they encounter have almost nothing to do with willpower or motivation, Dr. McDaniel says. “Obesity or being overweight is a chronic relapsing disease,” he explains. “It’s not the patient’s fault.” Factors that may influence a person’s weight include: Genetics Medications Hormones Metabolism If you do lose weight, you may be surprised by how easy it is to regain it all. Your body is hardwired to protect you, and it may perceive prolonged dieting as a kind of starvation. “A common response to weight loss is your body fights it,” Dr. McDaniel says.