The Hidden Benefits of Losing Weight

19 May 2020 by Sheila Johnson

When you suffer from issues such as sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes, you may find it’s more difficult to sleep soundly. Unfortunately, not sleeping has also been linked to weight gain, which can worsen many health conditions. This reciprocal relationship can take a toll on your health if you don’t improve your physical state. The first place to start is by losing weight.

But How?

According to Cleveland Clinic, exercise is the key to losing weight. But not all exercise is created equally when it comes to lowering the numbers on the scale. Cardiovascular activity, that which gets your heart rate up, is usually best. Running, jogging, and swimming are all great examples of cardiovascular exercises. Likewise, jumping rope and some stationary exercises — such as doing squats and lunges — are also beneficial.

Most experts suggest getting at least 150 minutes of mild to moderate exercise every week. However, you don’t have to start out hard and heavy, and even just a few extra minutes of movement each day can put you on the right track. You might, for example, walk for half of your lunch break a few days each week, swim five or 10 laps every other day during the summer, or simply run around the yard with the kids after school.

What About Diet?

The word “diet” sounds intimidating. And while it’s true that what you eat plays a significant role in how much you weigh, it’s not as simple as cutting calories and filling your plate full of fruits and vegetables. As the CDC explains, maintaining a healthy weight is more about lifestyle and long-term changes. In other words, super restrictive fad diets are not the answer.

If you want to lose weight and keep it off to improve your health, you have to learn how to build a healthy plate for each meal. While there may be some variation in daily recommendation, it should start with the base of produce: fruits or vegetables. Next up is protein. Lean proteins, like chicken and turkey, are better at lowering your levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. And despite their bad reputation, you should eat carbs at pretty much every meal, because these provide a steady stream of energy once your produce and proteins have worn off.

Kickstart Your Efforts

Losing weight is not always easy, and many people choose to kickstart their efforts by using an appetite suppressant or, in some cases, a fat-burning supplement. There is nothing wrong with doing so, but only after you talk to your doctor and have done your research. Keep in mind that most over-the-counter diet supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so make sure your healthcare provider gives you the okay.

Another way to jumpstart your weight loss efforts is to learn how to curb cravings. In the US, we tend to eat much more sugar and salt than we actually need. One way to lessen your sugar snacking situation is to remove prepackaged snacks from the house. You can also try drinking water, as thirst is often mistaken for hunger and then satisfied with empty calories.

Speaking of empty calories, you should also know that sweet tea, soda, and drinks like lemonade don’t typically satisfy thirst and only add your calorie intake.

Overall, making healthy choices when it comes to your diet and exercise routine is the best way to manage your waistline. Losing even just a few pounds can help you take control of your health, which will benefit you morning, noon, and night.

 Sheila left the corporate world and long hours behind to start her own business. She’s looking, feeling, and working better than she has in years. She’s seen so much personal success with her health and wellness routine that she wanted to share it with others. By creating this blog post and more, she hopes that sharing her story will help you, too.