Nowadays, many individuals dedicate a significant amount of time and effort to exercising in the gym to lose weight and achieve a desired body shape. Apart from gaining confidence about their physique, losing weight also offers a variety of health benefits that they may not have anticipated. Let’s take a look at 8 Unexpected Benefits of Weight Loss that have been proven by scientific research in today’s article.
Contents
- 1. Improve sleep quality
- 2. Enhance cardiovascular health
- 3. Hormonal balance
- 4. Improve skin better
- 5. Control blood sugar levels
- 6. Positive impact on mental health
- 7. Reduce osteoarthritis
- 8. Reduce the risk of cancer
- Expert advice on losing weight and keeping it off
- Motivate you: Weight loss success stories
1. Improve sleep quality
One of the unexpected benefits of weight loss is to help improve sleep. Losing weight can help improve conditions like sleep apnea, which is often made worse by being overweight. From there, better sleep, more energy, and overall well-being. Below are proven scientific studies:
- Reduces sleep apnea: One study has shown that even modest weight loss (5-10%) can significantly reduce sleep apnea symptoms and improve sleep quality. For example, an Australian study found that snoring decreased from 82% to 14% and sleep apnea from 33% to 2% after bariatric surgery in obese people. (Source: WebMD – Can’t Lose Weight? Get Some Sleep)
- Better sleep structure: Research shows that weight loss can improve overall sleep structure, including time spent in deeper sleep stages, which is essential for restorative sleep. (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine)
- Regulates sleep hormones: Weight loss can lead to changes in hormone levels, including hormones that regulate the sleep-wake cycle like melatonin and cortisol. Studies have shown that weight loss interventions, including dietary changes and increased physical activity, can improve the regulation of these hormones, leading to better sleep.
>>>> Learn more: Slimcrystal Reviews: Effective or scam? SlimCrystal water bottle
2. Enhance cardiovascular health
Being overweight can put a strain on the heart and circulatory system, leading to health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and an increased risk of heart disease. However, there are many benefits of losing weight such as significantly reducing the above risks and improving overall cardiovascular health. Several scientific studies have proven this.
A large-scale study of more than 30,000 women found that losing just 5% of body weight can significantly improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes risk. (Source: National Institutes of Health)
The American Heart Association (AHA) emphasizes that even modest weight loss can improve heart health, reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes risk. They recommend maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity. (Source: AHA)
3. Hormonal balance
One of the unexpected benefits of weight loss that few people know is that it helps balance hormones, especially if weight loss is achieved through healthy lifestyle changes such as improving diet and increasing physical activity.
One of the main hormones affected by excess weight is insulin. Obesity can lead to insulin resistance, which causes cells to become less responsive to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels. Weight loss can improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar, which in turn can positively impact other hormones.
Additionally, adipose tissue (fat cells) produces hormones and inflammatory substances that can disrupt the balance of other hormones in the body, such as estrogen and testosterone. Weight loss can reduce the production of these substances and restore hormonal balance.
Furthermore, Weight loss can have a positive impact on the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This axis plays a crucial role in regulating stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress and high cortisol levels are linked to weight gain and hormonal imbalances. Therefore, reducing stress through weight loss and other stress management techniques can be beneficial in maintaining hormonal balance.
>>>> Discover more: Atkins Diet Reviews: Pros and Cons? Compare with Keto Diet?
4. Improve skin better
If you have oily, acne-prone skin and are looking for ways to improve it, losing weight will make it easier for you. One of the unexpected benefits of weight loss is that it helps reduce inflammation, especially in people with a lot of fatty tissue. Excess fatty tissue can contribute to collagen breakdown, leading to wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity. Weight loss can slow down collagen breakdown and even stimulate collagen production, making skin firmer and more youthful.
5. Control blood sugar levels
Controlling blood sugar levels is crucial for weight loss. Losing weight improves insulin sensitivity, regulates glucose levels, and reduces the risk of metabolic disorders. Therefore, managing weight is crucial for optimal blood sugar levels and overall health.
6. Positive impact on mental health
Achieving the desired appearance is just one aspect of losing weight, through weight loss you can also improve your mental health. Since physical and mental health are closely related, prioritizing our physical health also helps our mental health.
Studies show that compared to the general population, obese people have higher rates of anxiety and depression. Achieving weight loss goals can also improve body image and increase self-confidence, which in turn can reduce stress and improve mental health.
- Increase self-esteem and confidence: People often feel healthier when they are successful in their weight control efforts, and they often feel proud and accomplished as a result.
- Reduces Depression and Anxiety: There is a strong correlation between mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and obesity. According to a 2003 study, obese people were nearly five times more likely to have had a significant depressive episode in the previous year than people of average weight.
- Boosts vitality and energy: Consistent weight loss efforts lead to enhanced vitality and energy levels. Regular exercise, typically integrated into most weight loss programs, triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood enhancers.
>>>> Read More: Best cardio exercises to lose belly fat for beginners
7. Reduce osteoarthritis
Excess body weight can cause additional pressure on weight-bearing joints like knees, hips, and spine, leading to cartilage degeneration, a key feature of osteoarthritis. Moreover, fat tissues produce inflammatory molecules that can exacerbate inflammation and joint pain. However, recent research has uncovered unexpected benefits of weight loss in alleviating osteoarthritis symptoms. Weight loss can help alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms by reducing stress on the joints and mitigating inflammation. Below are scientific studies that prove it:
- The IDEA (The Intensive Diet and Exercise for Arthritis) trial, published in JAMA in 2013, showed that a combination of weight loss and exercise can significantly improve physical function, and quality of life, and reduce knee pain in overweight and obese adults with knee osteoarthritis. (Source: NIH)
- A study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology in 2018 found that for every 1 kg (about 2.2 pounds) lost, the risk of developing symptoms of knee osteoarthritis in 10 years decreased by 1.85 times.
- The Osteoarthritis Initiative, a large observational study, found that weight loss of at least 10% of body weight was associated with reduced progression of cartilage degeneration in the knee joint over 48 months.
8. Reduce the risk of cancer
According to research by the American Cancer Society, excess body weight is considered responsible for about 7% of all cancer-related deaths in the United States, as well as about 11% of malignancies in women and 5% of cancers in men. According to the CDC, obesity and being overweight are linked to 13 different types of cancer, including thyroid, kidney, and breast cancer.
The benefits of losing weight can help you live a longer, healthier life by reducing the risk of certain malignant diseases.
A study was conducted in 2022 and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study followed over 30,000 individuals who had been diagnosed with obesity for nearly a decade. The research findings revealed a strong correlation between weight loss (achieved through bariatric surgery) and a lower risk of cancer. Those who underwent weight loss surgery had a 32% lower risk of developing cancer and a significantly lower risk of dying from cancer compared to a similar group of people who did not undergo surgery.
People who chose weight loss surgery were able to lose an average of 55 pounds more than those who did not have surgery during the trial. Researchers saw a distinct pattern: cancer risk decreased proportionally to the degree of weight loss. This highlights the real benefits of significant weight loss in reducing cancer risk.
>>>> Related Article: How to lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks safely?
Expert advice on losing weight and keeping it off
Losing weight can have many positive effects on both lifestyle and health. Starting may be daunting, but according to Dr. McDaniel, you should proceed with caution, and honesty, and avoid fixating on a particular number. He explains, “It does not determine your success or failure.”
Reflecting on what motivates you to lose weight and developing a practical plan to gradually shed pounds are crucial steps in this journey. (Please note that losing 20 pounds in a month is not a healthy way to lose weight). Dr. McDaniel believes it is essential to set small, achievable goals. If your ultimate aim is to lose twenty pounds, you might aim to lose only one pound per week. This way, regular accomplishments will motivate you, and in the meantime, improved eating and exercise habits will take center stage.
Dr. McDaniel is aware of the potential psychological effects of these subjects. Many people may suffer from body image and self-esteem issues, and they may have fought weight and cultural stigmas for years.
By focusing on the unexpected benefits of weight loss, such as increased energy, improved mood, better sleep, enhanced self-confidence, and even deeper social connections, individuals can find additional motivation and inspiration along their journey to a healthier lifestyle. These benefits serve as reminders that the journey towards weight loss is not just about achieving a certain number on the scale but about embracing a more fulfilling and vibrant way of living
Motivate you: Weight loss success stories
1 Alyssa Greene’s weight loss journey
Alyssa Greene’s negative body image was a result of her frequent drinking, constant late nights, and the stress of entering college. Even though she worked out, she didn’t give her diet or general health much thought until she recognized something needed to change. She schooled herself on nutrition throughout the following 2.5 years, figuring out what to eat and how much of it to achieve her goals.
Motivational Element: Self-Discipline
Greene now weighs 25 pounds less and uses self-control as her main source of motivation. “I do what I want for me, no one else,” she states. “It truly comes down to discipline for those who find it difficult to make a lifestyle change due to family, friends, or a significant other. How much do you want to alter your way of life?”
Recognizing that maintaining a healthy weight isn’t just about physical appearance but also overall well-being, Greene’s journey exemplifies one of the key reasons to lose weight: to take control of one’s health and make choices that prioritize long-term vitality and happiness.
3.2. Tanisha Commodore’s weight loss journey
Tanisha Commodore has been tirelessly searching for effective weight loss strategies for many years. Despite trying many exercise regimens and popular weight loss programs like WW and Medifast without success, she remained determined. When a friend suggested the keto diet, Tanisha was intrigued by the idea and decided to give it a try and saw significant results almost immediately. Within eight months, the Commodore successfully lost 80 pounds and has been successfully keeping fit ever since.
Inspirational Factor: Have Patience
Tanisha utilizes her platform to inspire and help those who want to try the keto diet for themselves to lose weight by sharing pictures of her experience on Instagram. “You didn’t put it on overnight, so don’t expect to lose it overnight,” she informs Shape. “Just be patient with yourself.”
In short, the journey to losing excess weight often comes with countless unforeseen benefits, far beyond the initial goal of being healthier. As Healthglowy shared above, the benefits of weight loss extend to unexpected areas of life, from improved sleep and increased self-esteem to preventing malignant diseases. So, whether you have just started your weight loss journey or are in the process of losing weight, Remember to enjoy that journey to the fullest, because the unexpected benefits of weight loss are both useful and positively transformative for your health.
>>>> Continue to explore other interesting articles about health