10 Benefits of Losing Weight

In this article:

• Losing weight can make you feel more energetic, confident, and relaxed.
• Losing weight can lower risk for diabetes and hypertension.
• Losing weight can reduce joint pain and improve sleep.
• Lark Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) can help you lose weight. Small, easy changes can lead to big benefits!

The weight loss journey has ups and downs. It can be easier to stay on track at some times than others. You can increase motivation by making a list of the reasons you want to lose weight. That way, when things get tough, you can keep your reasons in mind.

You can write down your reasons to lose weight. It can be in a notebook or on a piece of paper that you stick to the fridge. Or, you can list your reasons on your phone. These are 10 benefits of losing weight that may ring true for you.

1. More Energy

When you treat your body right, it treats you right. Lose weight by eating well and being active, and you can feel more energetic. You can be stronger and have more stable energy levels. The benefits can start within days!

2. More Confidence

Do you want to feel like the world is yours for the taking? Losing a few pounds can help. Knowing that you can follow a healthy eating plan can make you confident that you can take on other challenges, too. Plus, you may feel that you look better and present yourself better when you have lost weight.

3. Less Anxiety

A study in Neuropsychiatry found that obese people had a 30% greater chance of showing symptoms of anxiety. A review article in the journal Nutrition looked at the effect of weight loss on anxiety. Many of the studies in the article found reduced anxiety with weight loss.

4. Lower Diabetes Risk

Losing weight can lower diabetes risk by over half, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes is caused by high blood sugar. Lark Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) focuses on weight loss because it is so important in lowering diabetes risk.

5. Lower Blood Pressure

Hypertension affects about one-third of adults and is more common in overweight people. You do not need to lose much weight to lower high blood pressure. The American Heart Association says that each kg (about 2.2 lb.) of weight loss can lead to about 1 mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure. 

6. Better Mood

Losing weight can improve mood, according to a study in Obesity (Silver Spring). It may also reduce symptoms of depression. It could be related to hormonal changes that happen with body fat decreases.

7. Less Joint Pain

Osteoarthritis is nearly 7 times more likely to affect you if you are obese compared to normal weight. A review article in Indian Journal of Medical Research looked at links between obesity, weight loss, and arthritis. Losing less than 10% of body weight can lead to improved cartilage production in the joints. In one study, weight loss was more effective than medication at reducing knee pain from osteoarthritis.

8. Better Sleep

Extra weight can interfere with sleep. It can cause sleep apnea or trouble breathing. A study in Obesity (Silver Spring) looked at sleep after weight loss. Participants who lost weight improved their sleep quality and duration. That sure beats sleeping pills!

9. Improved Immune Response

Excess fat can weaken the immune response. That leaves you more susceptible to viral infections. Influenza and COVID-19 are examples of diseases that overweight people get more easily, according to research in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. Plus, these infections can be more severe. Weight loss can strengthen the immune system.

10. Fewer Medications

Obese people are more likely to have chronic conditions. It is not surprising that they use more medications, on average. A study in Annals of Epidemiology found that obese people used more medications for hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes. Losing weight may lower the need for these drugs. Of course, never change your medications before talking to your healthcare provider!

Are you overweight? Has your doctor recommended that you lose weight? Losing weight can be about more than pounds. It can be a ticket to better health. It can lower risk for diabetes. And it can let you do more of the things you love.

You can lose weight without sacrifice. A few small changes can put you on the right path. As the pounds go down on the scale, you may notice more benefits. Weight loss can increase energy, boost confidence, and improve mood, for example.

The Lark DPP and a connected scale may be available at no cost to you. You can check if your health insurer covers the program. Just click here for a short survey. You could be minutes away from starting your weight loss and health journey with Lark!