Health Benefits a Look Ahead

Health Benefits

Carrying excess body fat is a known risk factor for many chronic health problems, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and psychological issues. Knowing your percentage of body fat is the best way to determine if you are at risk. Having a lean body is important for overall health and longevity. Our body composition also impacts how we look and how we feel. When we are physically fit we feel better about ourselves, have more energy and enjoy better well being. Conversely, carrying excess fat can have a negative impact on our self-esteem, confidence, and body image. It can also cause fatigue and lethargy, making the simplest of tasks, such as going up a flight of stairs, difficult and exhausting.

Numerous studies have found that those who maintain a lean body live longer, suffer less disease and enjoy a better quality of life. It is important to know that even small losses can lead to great health rewards. Studies have found that losing even 10-15% of excess weight (fat) can help to reduce blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides.

Mental Benefits

Just seeing the numbers on the scale going down can have huge mental benefits. Your outlook on yourself stems from your mind, and not your eyes. Even if you are the skinniest person in the world, your mind makes the ultimate decision as to whether that is true or not to you. So going down in number can make your mind look at yourself in a whole new way and motivate you to keep going.

Your self-esteem starts to rise up once your body weight goes down. You feel better about your body and the way others view you. I personally have been held back from going out with friends when I was overweight due to not wanting them to see me like that. Once you lose the weight a new zest for life starts to come into play and you view yourself as this go-getter who is achieving goals and capable of great things. You want to show off your new self to everyone you know. You also start enjoying...