The Benefits of Weight Loss

By Kathryn Soloff

Losing weight is not easy. Keeping it off may be even more difficult. There are, however, great benefits to be derived from a healthy weight loss program. The long term results of weight loss should be of interest to anyone with either weight or health problems.

Losing excess weight will result in some of the following advantages.

Healthy weight loss helps prevent heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Clearly, this is a three in one benefit from healthy weight loss. It is well known that both heart disease and stroke are primary factors in the disability and death of men and women.

Decreasing your weight by 10 percent will decrease your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke. At the same time, there will be noticeable improvements in your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides counts.

Healthy weight loss helps to prevent type 2 diabetes. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are linked with being overweight. Those who are already diabetic can help control their blood sugar levels by losing weight and increased physical activity.

Healthy weight loss helps reduce your risk for some forms of cancer. Excessive weight is linked with some forms of cancer. For women, cancer of the uterus, ovary, breast and colon have been associated with weight problems. Men face similar risks. Cancer of the colon, prostate and rectum are associated with weight problems in men.

Weight loss has been known to reduce or eliminate sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where one stops breathing for brief period during sleep. Problems from this condition include drowsiness during the day and could possibly result in heart failure.

Losing weight reduces the pain of osteoarthritis. The joints of knees and hips, and the lower back have to exert greater effort in those with excessive weight. Obviously, weight loss decreases the pressure on joints and the lower back, thus decreasing the pain of osteoarthritis.

These are just some of the benefits one experiences through healthy weight loss. Many of the difficulties that we face later in life can be avoided through some simple lifestyle changes.

Make measurable and achievable goals . Don’t think too big or try to undertake more than what you are capable of. If you need to lose 100 pounds, don’t expect to do it in a few weeks. Give yourself enough time to do so in a healthy manner. You could also try to break the goals down into easier increments. Tell yourself that you will lose 10 pounds over the next month. Then tell yourself the same thing the next month. Eventually, you’ll reach that goal and feel the satisfaction of being lighter than you were before.

Of course, if you have medical problems or are being treated by a doctor, please consult with them first.

Sign up for our free ecourse: 10 Steps To Lose Weight Without Dieting
Kathryn Soloff is the mother of 8 children and a natural foods cook for over 30 years. She is co-publisher of http://www.natural-remedy-dot-com.com/fatburnerreviews/belly_fat_burner.html where she provides additional advice, tips and hard to find information on Weight Loss

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Benefits-of-Weight-Loss&id=761326