Benefits of Losing Body Fat

Losing only 5% of your body weight doesn’t sound like much does it? However it could mean that you’re well on your way to dropping a dress size, plus there are significant health benefits too, aside from looking better and feeling more energetic.

Research has shown that a loss of 5-10% of your starting weight can make a real difference. For a lot of people, losing 5% body fat is enough to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and may also help to lower your blood pressure too.

It has been proven that this weight loss success can provide a host of health benefits which include:

–          Lowering your body’s cholesterol levels
–          Improving blood sugar control
–          Reducing aches and pains
–          Improving mobility
–          Improving your breathing
–          Enabling you to sleep better
–          Reducing the risk of sleep apnoea
–          Preventing angina which is chest pains caused by decreased oxygen to the heart
–          Decreasing your risk of sudden death from heart disease or stroke
–          Reducing the risk of certain cancers
–          Reducing the need for regular medication

Many people who have lost 5-10% of their body weight report improvements in quality of life which shows the weight loss will benefit your emotional health hugely. A noticeable reduction in depression symptoms, increased energy plus a more positive attitude to life have been other improvements reported by those after weight loss success.

When it comes to weight loss, many can be very hard on themselves and will not be content or happy until they have lost three or four times the amount necessary to start seeing a difference.

It is utterly important to be realistic about your weight loss goals and how long it will take to achieve them. Don’t discount the small losses you’ve accomplished either, as these are very significant and should spur you on to losing more weight. If you lose a lot of weight too quickly, this is more likely to result in your weight yo-yoing and this will undermine your efforts and ultimately go against you.

You will keep yourself motivated by breaking your weight loss journey into manageable steps of 5-10%. However if you have a lot of weight to lose, reaching your goal may seem like a daunting task, but you don’t have to worry! If you set yourself measurable targets, this will help you stay on track and keep you focused.

As you achieve each goal, your level of motivation will increase to keep you going and achieve your goal weight.

Remember…
As you lose weight, your overall energy needs are also naturally reduced. You will need to step up your daily activity levels to counteract this and to resume your weight-loss rate. These small adjustments will make all the difference and get you back on track.

How much weight would you have to lose to reduce your body weight by 5%?