Excess weight affects every area of your life, including your mood, sexual performance and ability to sleep through the night. Your risk also increases for serious health conditions when you are overweight, including cancer and diabetes. Losing weight offers numerous health benefits and doesn't require extreme workout regimens. Most experts recommend 30 minutes of exercise three to five times weekly in combination with a healthy diet as the most effective method for weight loss. Contact your doctor if your weight is a concern.
Enhanced Body Function
Being overweight can make daily activities more challenging. When you are slimmer, your body has a better range of motion and flexibility, which makes you less likely to fall or suffer balance issues. Adopting a regular exercise plan for weight loss benefits your overall well-being through a stronger heart and greater lung capacity, resulting in more oxygen for your body. People who are overweight carry a higher risk for depression, so losing weight may also improve your mood --- especially if you exercise, since activity releases natural mood enhancers called endorphins into your bloodstream.
Reduced Cancer Risk
Losing weight lowers your risk for a variety of ailments common in those who are overweight, including heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. Men who are overweight carry a higher likelihood for some types of cancer, including colon and prostate cancer, while overweight women are more at risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer and cervical cancer. A commitment to weight loss also rewards you with a lower chance of gallbladder disease, joint problems and breathing difficulties, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Better Relationships
Achieving an ideal body weight may improve your social and romantic relationships, as people who are overweight typically suffer lower self-esteem, feelings of shame and are more likely to be socially isolated, reports MayoClinic.com. Sexual performance can also be compromised when you carry an unhealthy amount of weight.
Less Chance for Diabetes
Doctors often recommend weight loss to lower your chance of diabetes --- a serious condition that is most common in people who are overweight. Diabetes left untreated results in a number of health complications, including heart attack, nerve and kidney damage, and vision problems.
Improved Sleep
People who are overweight carry a higher risk for sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. Losing weight helps you sleep better and avoid sleep apnea, which interrupts your breathing for as long as 30 seconds. Some people suffer breathing interruptions up to 400 times nightly, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Sleep apnea left untreated can also lead to high blood pressure and even heart failure.
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