Everywhere you go, there are people who say they would like to lose weight. It’s one of the most common new year’s resolutions. It’s the reason for some Facebook accountability groups’ existence. It’s often the topic of conversation around the water cooler, and what many of our friends have mentioned once or twice… in the past month alone.
While one of the main reasons for aspiring to be a smaller size is aesthetics, losing weight can also be beneficial to your health.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED OVERWEIGHT?
Medically speaking, a person is considered overweight when they have a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 29.9, and anyone with a BMI over 30 is considered obese.
HEALTH RISKS OF BEING OVERWEIGHT
- Heart Disease. Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. To put it in perspective, it’s responsible for one out of every four deaths in this country. The vast majority of people who die of a heart issue failed to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack (nausea, lightheadedness, cold sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, jaw pain, arm pain). People who are most at risk for heart disease are those with a BMI of 30 or more and people with a wide waist circumference.
- Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic illness in which the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to it. Insulin is a hormone that allows the body to use glucose (blood sugar) for energy. Uncontrolled, Type 2 Diabetes can have serious complications, such as heart disease, nerve or kidney damage, impaired eyesight, sleep apnea, and Alzheimer’s Disease. A poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle (which is how many Americans live), and excess weight all contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes.
- High Blood Pressure. Blood pressure refers to the pressure of the blood on the blood vessels’ walls. As your weight increases, so does your blood pressure. A healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80. High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and can cause organ damage.
- Sleep Apnea. Being overweight or obese causes sleep issues, including sleep apnea, snoring, and insomnia, which are all consequences of breathing problems. Losing weight will improve breathing, which results in healthier lungs and a better night’s sleep.
- Gallbladder Disease. Being overweight increases the risk of developing gallstones, which are hard deposits in the gallbladder. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball and can result in intense abdominal pain and a high fever.
- Joint Pain. Every pound of extra weight adds four times the amount of stress to the joints. This increases the risk of wearing down cartilage and developing osteoarthritis.
- Depression. There is a link between obesity and depression. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults with depression are more likely to be obese than adults without depression. Depression can stem from low self-esteem, joint pain, chronic fatigue, and being subjected to ridicule, among other influences.
Losing weight culminates in a myriad of benefits. In addition to decreasing or completely eliminating some of the issues mentioned above, losing weight can leave you with better mental clarity, a higher sense for flavors.
IF YOU ARE TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT, LET SLIM4LIFE HELP YOU
No matter how diligent you are in pursuing your weight-loss goals, everyone experiences plateaus and frustrations. Let us help you with such hurdles.
Schedule a free consultation to learn how you can lose weight and keep it off. We’ll help you develop a nutritionally balanced lifestyle that’s enjoyable and sustainable. You can also fill out our online form or call us at 1-833-SLIMTODAY (1-833-754-6863).
