Dr. Latisa Carson at Uniquely Fit Medical Weight Loss understands the frustration you probably feel when you compare your current weight to what experts say is a healthy weight for you. It can feel like an impossible gap.
One way to overcome those feelings is to focus on a different goal. Instead of thinking about the 50 or 100 pounds you need to lose, think instead about losing 10% of your current weight. Yes, it would be better for your health to lose more, but losing 10% brings significant improvements to your health.
Dr. Carson and her team are here to help you reach your ultimate weight loss goals, and they have an arsenal of tools that may be useful for you. In the meantime, consider these five benefits of losing just a few pounds.
1. Lower risk of cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is both common and deadly. It includes numerous conditions, including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and several others. When you lose even a modest amount of weight, you can improve your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
One reason that’s true is that losing a few pounds may reduce your blood cholesterol levels. So-called bad cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol, sticks the insides of your arteries, narrowing your blood vessels and making the heart work harder.
2. Better sleep
If you weigh 200 pounds, and lose 20 pounds, you’re likely to find that you begin to sleep more soundly. Your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea also drops.
Adequate quality sleep is linked to lower risk of all kinds of health problems including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and many others. Plus, when you get enough sleep, you enjoy a better mood and more energy.
3. Fewer joint problems
Each extra pound you carry puts stress on your joints. Joints become more vulnerable over time, as well, simply because we use them. More wear-and-tear from carrying extra weight leads to more joint pain.
An article on NBC News reports that when an overweight person loses just 11 pounds, the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee, a type of arthritis caused by wear and tear, decreases by half!
4. Improvement in how your body uses insulin
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that can cause issues with your sight, the nerves in your feet, and many other problems. It’s often preceded by a condition known as insulin resistance.
Your pancreas manufacturers insulin, which keeps your blood sugar levels where they need to be. When you have insulin resistance, your cells are resistant to insulin, and your blood sugar rises — not to prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes levels, but high enough to cause problems.
Insulin resistance is associated with weight gain, fat accumulation around your waist, high cholesterol, and sometimes hormone issues in women. Losing even a few pounds can help reverse insulin resistance.
5. Less inflammation
Inflammation happens when your body is working to repair itself. For example, if you sprain your wrist, it becomes inflamed but only for a short time. However, when you have constant, or chronic, inflammation, a cascade of problems can begin.
Chronic inflammation is associated with heart disease, metabolic problems, and other serious conditions. Changing your diet, beginning to exercise, and losing a little weight decreases inflammation and helps your immune system function better.
Focusing on losing a lot of weight can be frustrating. In fact, you may find it so overwhelming and frustrating that you stop trying. At Uniquely Fit Medical Weight Loss, we encourage you to concentrate on just 10 or 20 pounds at a time, and to celebrate the health benefits you gain from small losses.
We’re here to help. We’re offering telehealth visits and can provide services like lifestyle coaching in a way that protects your overall health. Schedule your appointment today. You can use our online scheduling tool, or you can call us at (619) 552-2050.