5 Immediate Benefits of Losing Weight

You may want to lose some weight for personal or aesthetic reasons, such as wanting to fit into smaller clothes. But the benefits of weight loss go far beyond that. You can see immediate health benefits from losing as little as 5% of your body weight.

For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, you only need to lose 10 pounds to reap the benefits of weight loss–even if you’re still in the overweight or obese category. Dr. Evan Allen of Allen Wellness & Medical Center in Henderson, Nevada explains five of the immediate benefits of losing weight.

Sleep better

When you lose weight, one of the first effects you may notice is that you sleep better. Many people who are overweight or obese suffer from sleep apnea, which often requires using a continuous airway positive pressure (CPAP) device.

Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, you’re likely to still sleep better. Specifically, reducing your belly fat is linked to improved sleep quality. You may also have a better mood and more energy while you’re awake as a result.

Lower blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure, it can become easier to control when you lose some weight.

Weight loss usually requires making changes to your diet and getting more exercise, which are two changes that decrease your blood pressure. Maintaining lower blood pressure can reduce your risk of a heart attack and stroke.

Lower risk of diabetes

If you’re not diabetic, losing weight significantly lowers your risk of diabetes. If you already have diabetes, losing weight helps you control your blood sugar. 

Sometimes, when you’re overweight, your pancreas produces more insulin than your body needs, which can lead to developing diabetes. Losing weight improves how your body regulates blood sugar.

Reduces joint and back pain

Carrying excess weight puts more pressure on your joints and your back, especially your lower back. Losing weight takes a lot of pressure off of your body. Even more than that, it also reduces your risk of developing arthritis.

A study found that losing even 10 pounds is enough to decrease your risk of developing arthritis by 50%. Taking the stress off your joints can also relieve a lot of the pain.

Better moods

One of the best effects of weight loss is the improvement it can have on your moods. You may find that you have more stable moods and less depression, especially if you begin a regular exercise habit. A major study found that exercise is very effective in improving depression.

Losing weight requires changing your lifestyle habits, including improving your dietary habits, establishing a regular exercise habit, and drinking more water. These lifestyle changes can help you feel better overall.

If you want to get started on trying to lose weight, Dr. Evan Allen can help. Contact us at 702-761-3945 or schedule an appointment online.