It’s no surprise that losing weight will help you to look and feel better. It can improve blood pressure, lower cholesterol and lower your risk of developing diabetes. You may be surprised to learn that even people who are not obese can improve many areas of their lives by losing up to ten pounds.
Better Sex
It’s true, losing weight can improve your sex life. Dropping even ten pounds can stimulate an increase of the sex hormone testosterone. Also, a higher quantity of body fat leads to increased levels of the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) that binds itself to testosterone and decreases sexual desire.
Exercising to lose weight also brings the bonus of increasing blood flow to the pelvic area. This is particularly beneficial to women as it increases natural lubrication, helps heighten arousal and improves the chances for orgasm.
A low-carb diet will also help by controlling blood sugar. Large fluctuations in blood sugar levels can lead to blood vessel and nerve damage, which could, in turn, hamper sexual performance and enjoyment.
Sleep Better
According to a Johns Hopkins study, it was discovered that losing belly fat significantly improved the quality of sleep of the subjects in the study. The findings suggest this was true whether the weight loss was from diet and exercise or just dietary changes alone.
Weight loss has also been linked to a decrease in sleep apnea, snoring and other sleep disorders. Not surprisingly, regular exercise has been proven to improve the quality of sleep as well.
More Memory
Losing weight can help you think better. In a Kent State University study it was found that significant weight loss after bariatric surgery was linked to a marked improvement of many cognitive functions, such as memory and concentration.
It is also believed that conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea may cause damage to the brain that can be corrected if those conditions are brought under control through weight loss.
Less Joint Pain
Joint pain is directly affected by body weight. Everyday movements like walking, taking the stairs, or climbing out of vehicles can place three to five times a person’s actual body weight onto their joints. The good news is that every pound of weight lost removes three pounds of stress from the knees, as well as six pounds of tension in the hips. Less body weight on the joints can also reduce the continued progression of wear and tear to them.
Prevent Cancer
According to recent studies, excesses in body weight have been linked to at least one out of five of all cancer-related deaths. Belly fat in particular, whether obese or not, is directly connected to higher risks of rectal and colon cancers. Belly fat may also be a contributing factor to higher incidences of pancreatic, breast and endometrial cancers. Excess body fat is also believed to have an impact on the functions of the immune system, as well as causing inflammation and disrupting hormone levels, particularly estrogen and insulin.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/sex-and-weight
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalactivity/bodyweightandcancerrisk/body-weight-and-cancer-risk-effects
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/13/lose-weight-sleep-better_n_2119258.html
http://www2.kent.edu/news/announcements/success/gunstad-research.cfm
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/yourlife/fitness/2011-04-14-weight-loss-memory-study.htm
http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/features/lose-weight
