Top 5 Health Benefits of Losing Weight

Losing weight offers numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, improved mobility, and enhanced mental well-being. Dr. Cammie Fulp provides specialized medical weight loss programs that are tailored to help individuals achieve and maintain these health benefits effectively. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1309 Lees Chapel Rd., Greensboro, NC 27455.

Being overweight is a common problem for millions of Americans. In fact, according to recent data, about 75% of Americans are carrying around extra weight — and that means they’re at risk of several serious weight-related health problems.

At Triad Primary Care, our team offers patient-centered, evidence-based medical weight loss plans to help every patient find a solution that works for them. In this post, learn five important ways even a modest weight loss can help you improve your health now and in the future.

1. Better heart health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and being overweight or obese is a primary contributing factor. Carrying excess pounds puts strain on your heart and vascular system. Plus, added weight is associated with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, two risk factors associated with heart disease (and other medical problems, like stroke and dementia).

Losing weight takes some of that excess strain off your heart, improving heart function and making it easier for your heart to circulate blood efficiently. Plus, by lowering your blood pressure and your cholesterol levels, you reduce your risk of atherosclerosis or “hardening” of the arteries, improving circulation, as well.

2. Greater mobility — and more energy

Being overweight makes it harder to move, in part because you tend to get tired more easily, and also because of the strain that extra weight puts on your joints. In fact, just 10 pounds of excess weight is equal to as much as 60 pounds of added strain on your knee joints every time you take a step.

Losing weight protects your joints, including the large weight-bearing joints in your hips and knees, and also the joints in your feet, ankles, and spine. Less strain decreases your risk of arthritis and other degenerative joint problems while making movement much more comfortable and enjoyable.

At the same time, less weight means your body needs less energy to move, leaving more energy for other activities. Simple activities and chores become easier and less onerous when you’re not lugging around those extra pounds, and that extra energy makes it easier to maintain a higher level of activity for improved weight management and even more health benefits.

3. Improved sleep quality

Many people are surprised to learn that being overweight can take a toll on their sleep quality. When you’re overweight, you’re more likely to have breathing issues during sleep, including sleep apnea, a chronic breathing condition that increases your risks of heart disease and other serious medical problems.

Research also suggests that being overweight affects your sleep-wake cycles, leading to poor sleep quality and an increase in daytime sleepiness. Studies show people who are overweight are more likely to report sleep problems than people who maintain a healthy weight.

4. Improved blood sugar management

Being overweight can lead to problems with the way your body manages blood sugar (glucose) by interfering with the way your body produces and uses insulin, a hormone that keeps blood sugar balanced. This condition is called insulin resistance, and it increases your risk of eventually developing type 2 diabetes.

Losing weight helps your body become “re-sensitized” to the effects of insulin, making it easier to keep your blood sugar under control. If you already have diabetes, losing weight — even a modest amount — can make it easier to manage your condition.

5. Enhanced emotional health

Losing weight definitely benefits your physical health, but did you know it can help improve your emotional wellness, too? It’s true: Losing weight can lead to higher self-esteem and an improved body image.

At the same time, improvements in sleep, comfort, and energy levels make it easier to cope with daily stresses, so you can reduce your risk of anxiety while boosting your mood naturally. Achieving weight-loss goals also helps you feel personally empowered, providing a sense of pride and accomplishment that supports a more positive outlook overall.

Improve your weight and your health

Losing weight is a process, and medical weight loss can make that process easier and more successful, helping you lose pounds and keep them off for good. To learn how we can develop a medical weight loss plan just for you, request an appointment online or over the phone with Triad Primary Care in Greensboro, North Carolina, today. We are conveniently located at 1309 Lees Chapel Rd., Greensboro, NC 27455. We serve patients from Greensboro NC, Browns Summit NC, McLeansville NC, Oak Ridge NC, Summerfield NC, and surrounding areas.