The holidays are coming! Cookies, pies, cocktails and parties - so many temptations! So many of us put on weight this time of the year and have difficulty losing the extra pounds.
Your body image may influence how you feel about yourself. But that is not the only reason to lose weight. Losing weight carries many benefits.
1) Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition when the upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep. This means you stop breathing while you sleep. Loud snoring may be a sign of a breathing problem. If your sleep is bad, so is your metabolic health. This can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. The first treatment for overweight patients with sleep apnea is weight loss.
Lose weight so you can sleep better!
2) Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis is a common joint disorder with symptoms in the hands, knees, back and hips. Extra weight puts more pressure on your knees. As you walk or climb stairs, the force on your knees is greater than your body weight. When you squat to tie your shoe or pick up something from the floor, you are putting force on your knees greater than your body weight. Small amounts of sustainable weight loss can decrease your risks for osteoarthritis or help better manage it.
3) Diabetes
More than 90% of people with type 2 diabeates are overweight. The more excess weight you have, the harder it is for your body to use insulin to control blood sugar levels. If you are overweight, losing weight and doing moderate exercise can help you control your blood sugar levels.
4)Hypertension
Your blood pressure rises as your body weight increases. When you are overweight or obese, your body has more fatty tissue so your heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Weight loss can lead to a drop in blood pressure.
5) Seasonal allergies
Having a runny nose or itchy, watery eyes caused by allergies is never fun. Being overweight puts a stress on your respiratory system which may worsen allergy and asthma symptoms.
6) Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, extra body weight is responsible for 8% of all cancers in the United States. Having extra belly fat may increase risks of colon and breast cancer. There is evidence that weight loss may reduce levels of certain hormones that are related to cancer risks.
7) Lose weight, live longer!
According to studies, being overweight or obese can decrease life span. Lose weight and live longer and have a better quality of life!