If you have ever tried to lose weight on your own, you know how difficult and overwhelming it can be. Many people have probably tried different approaches, from exercising to trying different diets, but the results are still not encouraging. 

In the United States, more than 70% of adults are overweight. Most people know that excessive weight is not good for their health and well-being. Almost half of the adults make efforts to lose weight every year. 

But what if dropping a few pounds can be a game-changer for you? Shedding excess fat can reduce your risk of chronic disease, boost your energy, help you sleep better, and could be your ticket to living your best life.   

In this article, we’ll explore the 13 compelling reasons why weight loss can be all you need to live a long, healthier life.

 

1. Boosts cardiovascular health

Shedding a few extra pounds can prevent life-threatening conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, excess fat around the abdomen can increase pressure on the heart, making it hard to pump blood and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. 

Essentially, that means that the more fat you carry, the more work your heart has to do to pump blood, which causes wear and tear over time. You also can have elevated blood pressure—a critical precedent to cardiovascular diseases. 

Weight loss is, therefore, important for lowering blood pressure and reducing the chances of heart disease and strokes. In addition, weight loss improves cholesterol levels by increasing HDL (good cholesterol) and reducing LDL (bad cholesterol). You will normalize your blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and boost cholesterol levels. 

Also, developing healthy habits like heart-healthy diets and regular exercise will improve cardiovascular health. 

 

2. Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes

If you are overweight, you are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Excess body fat, especially visceral fat, can resist insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. If this resistance continues for an extended period, it will lead to high blood sugar levels.

So, even losing a few pounds can significantly lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. A recent study showed that losing 5-7% of your body weight reduces the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by over 50%. 

According to the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), lifestyle changes like losing weight, eating a heart-healthy diet, and increasing activity reduce the risk of diabetes by almost 58% over a three-year period. 

If you’re already managing the condition, a combination of exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes will help you manage low levels of insulin sensitivity, boost your immune system, and prevent other related complications. 

 

3. Lowers cancer risk

Different types of cancer, including colon, liver, and breast, have been strongly linked to obesity. For example, excess fat produces higher levels of hormones like estrogen, which can cause tumor growth. As a result, reducing your weight, which reduces this hormone, decreases the risk factors. 

Maintaining a healthy weight will allow your body to quickly detect and destroy abnormal cells before they become cancerous. Also, weight loss reduces inflammation—a critical contributor to cancer development—usually caused by visceral fat that are stored around your organs. While obesity is a risk factor for cancer, weight loss can minimize it. 

 

4. Improves mobility and joint health

Losing weight instantly relieves your lower back, hips, and knees. Excess weight often stresses these joints, leading to discomfort, pain, and a high risk of developing conditions like osteoarthritis. 

Excess weight can also worsen joint pain and stiffness, especially if you have an underlying condition like arthritis.

Losing weight improves joint health and allows you to move freely, increasing your chances of engaging in regular physical activities. When this happens, you’re on your way to healthier joints, stronger muscles, and overall fitness. 

 

5. Enhances mental health

One notable reason for improved mental health is increased endorphins and serotonin. These feel-good chemicals are released during activities like exercise, a key component of weight loss plans. The process also helps the brain combat stress and depression. Improved mental health means a reduced need for prescription medications. 

Hence, weight loss can reduce symptoms of depression, stress, anxiety, and other symptoms. However, unintentional weight loss can be a symptom of these issues, so it is important to differentiate between the two for proper treatment. 

Also, the increased self-esteem that comes with losing weight enhances mental well-being, creating a lasting positive impact on your body image. 

 

6. Improves sleep quality

Weight loss can improve sleep quality by reducing the severity of sleep apnea and the risk factors associated with it. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, disrupting breathing and leading to poor sleep quality. 

Losing weight helps reduce inflammation in the respiratory system and improves lung function, making it easier to breathe at night. With fewer sleep disruptions, you can have more restful nights and improved sleep quality. Also, a healthy diet can improve sleep quality by stabilizing blood sugar levels. This also boosts cognitive function and overall well-being. 

In addition, better sleep regulates hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin. This makes it easier to manage your appetite and continue your weight loss efforts successfully. 

 

7. Increases energy levels

When you start your weight loss journey, one of the early signs of progress is increased energy. Being overweight makes simple tasks like walking, climbing stairs, and standing for long periods exhausting. 

Losing some extra pounds reduces the load on your body, allowing you to move with less effort while conserving energy for other activities. 

When your body functions more efficiently, you’re likely to experience sustained energy throughout your day. Also, it has a direct impact on your metabolism when you lose weight. 

 

8. Better hormonal balance

Hormonal disruption can cause many issues, including higher cortisol levels (a stress hormone), insulin resistance, and imbalances in sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. However, shedding excess fat restores balance to your hormones. 

For example, excess weight in women, particularly visceral fat, leads to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A condition that affects hormone levels, causing irregular periods, weight gain, and infertility.  Losing weight can help improve hormone levels, menstrual cycles, and fertility in women with PCOS. 

A healthier weight can balance key hormones in your body, improving stress levels, sexual function, and overall health.  

 

9. Strengthens the immune system

Too much fat can disrupt the functioning of your immune system, weakening it and making your body vulnerable to infections, chronic illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease, and other medical conditions. But losing weight can solve this by bolstering your body’s defenses, effectively fighting off illnesses. 

With less weight, you also reduce stress on your lungs, allowing your system to function properly and improving your respiratory health and associated symptoms. 

As you become lighter, your system gets stronger. This is important for older adults and those with underlying health conditions, as the immune system tends to weaken with age. 

 

10. Improves digestion

Being overweight, especially in the abdominal area, can lead to various digestive issues. For example, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, is common among individuals with excess fat. Losing weight reduces pressure on the stomach, mitigating the symptoms of acid reflux.

A study found that individuals who lost at least 10% of their weight experienced massive improvements in GERD symptoms.  

Another point to note is that excess weight slows down metabolism, which causes bloating and constipation. By shedding extra pounds, you can alleviate all these digestive problems and improve your digestion. 

While an intentional diet through exercise and an improved diet can reduce digestive issues, unintentional weight loss could signal digestive disorders like celiac, which require medical attention. 

 

11. Increases lifespan 

Apart from improving overall health, losing weight directly impacts longevity. A study found that individuals with a body mass index (BMI) in the obese range have a higher mortality rate compared to those within a healthy BMI range. 

These studies have shown that individuals who maintain a healthy weight have a lower risk of developing obesity-related diseases. 

Obesity-related diseases like diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and certain cancers can shorten life expectancy. As a result, losing weight not only reduces your chances of having these diseases; it also boosts your immune system while increasing your lifespan. 

 

12. Improves sexual health

Excess weight can affect the production of sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen, which causes poor sexual performance and decreased libido. However, losing weight increases your energy and improves hormone balance, all of which can enhance sexual health. 

 

13. Enhances physical appearance

Beyond the health benefits of losing weight, physical appearance is also a benefit that motivates some people to pursue weight loss. The reason is not far-fetched. 

Weight loss can result in improved posture and healthier skin. For many, achieving a more desirable body leads to a positive shift in mindset and increased confidence and self-esteem. 

 

DIY solutions for losing weight

Are you trying to lose weight naturally or manage your weight better? Here are some of the best homemade remedies one should give a try for:

 

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, like white vinegar, is a rich source of acetic acid that exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities and promotes weight loss.

How to prepare: Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water. Mix well or you can add some honey to it. Drink this solution twice daily.

 

Lemon with honey

Honey is known to have medicinal properties, and lemon helps detox the digestive system. All of these help you shed excess fat, and the results are visible in just a few weeks. This is one of the simplest remedies you can try at home.

How to prepare: Lemon and honey are easily found in your kitchen. Each morning, make a glass of lukewarm lemon water and add two teaspoons of honey. Mix and drink it.

 

Green tea

The regular intake of green tea can help in weight loss or weight management. Green tea is a rich source of catechins and caffeine, both of which play a significant role in weight loss.

How to prepare: Add a teaspoon of green tea to a cup of hot water. Dip it for approx. 5 to 7 minutes and strain. Consume immediately. Drink green tea twice to thrice daily.

 

Aloe vera juice

Aloe vera juice’s powerful metabolic properties help reduce body weight. Additionally, it helps with digestion and reduces inflammatory responses.

How to prepare: Boil some water and aloe vera. Let it cool down for some time. Filter the water. For the best effect, consume a cup of natural aloe juice once a day.

 

Cinnamon and black pepper tea

Cinnamon helps to improve blood glucose levels, which in turn helps to reduce weight. Black pepper contains a rich amount of piperine, which helps to improve digestion and boost metabolism.

How to prepare: Add the water and the cinnamon stick to a pan and bring it to a boil. Once it has started to boil, let it cool down. Now strain this into a cup. Add the black pepper and the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix well, and your homemade drink is ready.

 

Takeaway: Long-term health starts with weight loss

Something is clear at this point: the benefits of weight loss are transformative. From improving cardiovascular health to enhancing mental health and energy levels, losing weight will transform your life.

Semaglutide is the first FDA-approved injection for chronic weight management in adults, especially when shedding excess fat. It is a once-a-week dose that works on the appetite receptors in the brain to reduce feelings of hunger and cravings and regulate blood sugar levels.

La Vie MD is dedicated to providing effective medical solutions to individuals struggling with obesity and can find a powerful ally in their journey toward a healthier, happier life. Hope this guide helps! Booking a consultation with us today!

 

FAQS

Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions:

 

What is the most common reason for unexplained weight loss?

There are several causes of unexplained weight loss, but the most common is an underlying health condition such as diabetes, cancer, and hyperthyroidism. Gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease are often associated with unexplained weight loss. 

Another reason is mental health issues like anxiety and depression. They can lead to loss of appetite, resulting in body weight loss. If you ever experience sudden or unexplained weight loss, you have to consult a medical professional to know the cause and get appropriate treatment. 

 

Which type of cancer leads to weight loss?

Gastrointestinal cancers such as liver, stomach, pancreatic, and esophageal can cause unexplained weight loss due to their impact on nutrient absorption and digestion.

Lung cancer, especially in later stages, also causes weight loss as a result of a condition known as cachexia, which is a combination of weight loss, fatigue, and muscle atrophy. 

Another cancer that causes unexplained weight loss is lymphomas, including Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s. They affect metabolism and the immune system, which can cause rapid weight loss. 

 

What effects does losing 20 pounds have on your body?

Your body undergoes several positive changes that can improve your physical and mental health when you lose 20 pounds.

Physically, one of the most noticeable changes is the reduction in strain on your back, hips, and knees. This leads to improved mobility and less pain.

It lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol levels, and decreases the risk of developing chronic health conditions like hypertension and cancer. That’s how much ease a few pounds can bring.