More Than Numbers on a Scale — Learn the Positive Health Gains of Healthy Weight Loss

When a person who is overweight decides to take action, it is common that a desire for cosmetic improvements be the motivator as many people wish to feel and look their best. While cosmetic changes can be dramatic when losing a large amount of weight, the benefits of losing weight can also mean drastic health-based improvements.

As a person’s weight increases, the risk of developing a number of health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and sleep apnea also becomes elevated. Losing weight is one of the greatest ways to positively impact your overall health. It should be noted that as weight loss increases, the health benefits will become more significant. However, each person’s weight loss journey is different. Even small, incremental changes can achieve impactful health improvements.

The impact of a significant weight loss journey can start being seen as weight loss begins. Even a small weight reduction can start to make a measurable impact on your health, here’s how:

• Cardiovascular health: blood pressure and triglyceride levels often decrease, and "good" HDL cholesterol can improve.
• Diabetes risk: insulin sensitivity found in fat and liver tissue starts to improve; this lowers the risk of developing type two diabetes, and can decrease cravings.
• Physical relief: a reduction in joint pain begins, especially on your knees.
• Mental well-being: some individuals find they have better moods, less fatigue and improved emotional wellness.
• Better sleep: improvement in sleep quality may start to occur, sleep apnea symptoms may decrease.
• Disease risk reduction: the risk associated with developing type two diabetes and several types of cancer decreases significantly.
• Organ health improvements: many of the symptoms of acid reflux may improve
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may also improve.
• It is not uncommon for type two diabetes to improve if a patient is able to lose excess body weight.
• Since risk of developing many conditions including diabetes and some cancers are reduced by increased weight loss, mortality risk also becomes lowered.
• Behavioral changes: additional weight loss may reduce cravings for sugary foods and contribute to improved appetite regulation.

Creating Lasting Improvements

For many individuals who carry excess weight the long-term goal can feel impossible—but it doesn’t have to be. Losing excess weight may have the largest amount of health benefits, but each small success is a health benefit that adds up over time improving your overall health. In fact, some of the earliest health benefits can make future health achievements feel far easier to achieve.

The Summa Health Weight Management Institute is ready to help you develop an individualized plan that is customized for your needs and health. For more information on strategies that can lead to successful weight loss, or to schedule a consultation, visit summahealth.org/weightloss.