Benefits of Weight Loss: It’s More Than a Number On a Scale!

The benefits of weight loss go far beyond just looking great in front of the mirror or achieving a certain weight on the scale.

Weight loss improves so many aspects of your life, from decreasing chronic health problems to improving mental health and enhancing self-esteem.

While having a number as a weight loss goal can be a good starting point, there are so many more non-scale victories (NSVs) that you can celebrate along the way.

Strength gains, improved health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol, decreased body fat percentage, and an enhanced sex life are just a few NSVs most people don't think of.

So instead of just watching the scale, set new health goals along the way in your weight loss journey, because the scale may not always be picking up these huge fitness victories.

Keep reading to learn more about the many benefits of weight loss that are so much more than what the scale tells you!

Find out how the connection between exercise and hormones could be the key to your overall health.

Benefits of Weight Loss

Perhaps the biggest benefits of weight loss are overall health improvements.

Research has shown that even moderate weight loss can decrease your risk for chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.

Being overweight or obese is strongly associated with high blood pressure.

Weight gain, especially when associated with increased abdominal fat, plays a big role in hypertension.

In fact, overweight or obesity accounts for up to 65% to 75% of the risk for high blood pressure.

Numerous studies have identified the benefits of weight loss on decreasing blood pressure.

For example, one meta-analysis of 25 randomized, controlled studies found that a weight reduction of 5 kg, or a little over 10 pounds, helped to decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Improve Body Composition

Losing weight isn’t all about just shedding fat.

It’s also about building muscle and creating a fit, strong body.

Exercise and resistance training will not just help you lose weight but will give your body muscular definition.

Increasing muscle mass will give you a lean, fit physique, and strength training will help you maintain muscle mass while you are trying to lose weight in other areas.

It’s no secret that you burn some serious calories during a tough workout session.

But in addition to that, regular exercise will increase your lean muscle mass.

This in turn increases your resting metabolic rate and further aids in weight loss.

This means that by losing fat and gaining muscle you will burn more calories, even at rest, and maintain your weight loss goals.

Sleep and Fitness

Sleep affects our bodies and our minds in so many ways.

It plays a role in our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Exercise and weight loss can help improve your sleep patterns and have you feeling more rested each morning.

In addition, weight loss and improved sleep can form a positive feedback loop that enhances more weight loss.

For example, if you are trying to lose weight, adequate sleep is essential to reach these goals.

Sleep deprivation can alter hormone levels that impact hunger and metabolism and increase abdominal fat.

This in turn can have a negative effect on your weight loss goals.

However, losing weight and normalizing your sleep patterns can keep your hormone levels in check.

Plus, if you don’t get enough sleep this can slow fat loss even if you are following a good nutrition and fitness plan.

So even if you are doing everything right with your diet and workout plans, you can sabotage this with poor sleep habits.

Find out why sleep is important and how getting enough quality sleep can help you lose weight.

 

Weight Loss and Mental Health

A lot of people turn to exercise for stress relief, and for good reason!

Losing weight will not only improve your physical fitness but also your mental and emotional health.

Being able to manage your stress levels allows you to not only be healthier overall but to live a high quality of life as well.

Exercise is an amazing outlet that allows you to strengthen both your body and mind at the same time.

A review of several health studies shows that exercise leads to better health outcomes, including enhanced quality of life, better functional capacity, and better mood states.

This is true for both aerobic and resistance exercise, which has also been found to improve anxiety.

Physical activity is truly one of the best treatments out there when it comes to decreasing stress and empowering the mind.

The endorphins released during exercise improve anxiety and can even help with pain relief.

The benefits of exercise not only include improved physical fitness, but also mental and emotional health.

Find out how to make your mind happy by training your mental health!

 

Strengthen Your Body and Self-Esteem

One of the ways that weight loss can improve mental health is by boosting self-esteem.

I think that we can all admit that having a toned, strong body helps improve our self-esteem. And I’m not talking about being “skinny.”

This is all about being strong and healthy.

When women take charge of their fitness this helps improve self-esteem and enhances motivation to continue towards their fitness goals.

So not only will working on that summer beach body have you looking great, but you will also be feeling great too!

Improved Libido

Another benefit of weight loss that women often forget is improved sexual health.

Fitness encompasses all aspects of wellness. This includes physical strength, endurance, mental health, and libido.

Sexual health is an aspect of women's health that all too often goes overlooked.

Women with obesity tend to have lower levels of libido-enhancing hormones like testosterone.

This in turn leads to a lower sex drive.

However, exercise can help increase lean muscle mass and boost testosterone levels.

On top of this, weight loss can improve libido and satisfaction with sexual life in obese women.

Just another reason why physical fitness is so important in overall health.

Better Skin

You often hear about someone having a “healthy glow.”

While being healthy is definitely more than skin deep, that doesn’t mean your skin doesn’t get an extra boost from weight loss.

Being overweight can cause a number of skin issues, from stretch marks, dry skin, hyperpigmentation, and even an increased risk of skin infections.

These skin problems are typically associated with increased sweating and friction.

In addition, obesity may also be associated with poor wound healing, malignant melanoma, and an increased risk of inflammatory skin problems such as psoriasis.

Just another NSV that comes with weight loss!

*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on the benefits of weight loss.