8 Ways Your Health Improves Almost Instantly As You Lose Weight

Let’s face it: Losing weight is hard. It can be even more challenging when the end goal seems so far off. Many of us start our weight loss journey with dreams of a snatched waist and uber-defined muscles. Unfortunately, those outward changes usually take a long time to develop. 

When you’re running low on motivation, and it doesn’t seem like the needle is moving, consider how your body is changing on the inside. 

Our team of experts at Leading MDs knows how difficult the weight loss journey can be, so we’re bringing you customized weight loss programs and a closer look at how even modest weight loss can radically transform your health and wellness. 

1. Healthier joints

Carrying even 10 extra pounds of body weight can add up to 40 pounds of pressure on your knees and other lower body joints, which makes them wear out much faster. Excess body fat also releases inflammatory agents that exacerbate joint damage. 

Shedding a few extra pounds can ease and, in some cases, reverse these effects, reducing your risk for joint problems later in life. 

2. Reduced risk of cancer

When you’re overweight, you’re more likely to have unhealthy levels of hormones like estrogen, insulin, and androgens, which are linked to cancer. 

As you lose weight, your endocrine system naturally balances itself, which may protect you from certain types of cancer. For instance, older women who were overweight and slimmed down lowered their chances of breast cancer by 12%. 

3. Type 2 diabetes prevented

Whether you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes or you already have it, weight loss is a key player in reducing the disease’s impact on your body and slowing its progression. 

4. Higher levels of “good” cholesterol

You read that right: good cholesterol — which also implies there's bad cholesterol. Here’s what we mean. 

Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol to and from your cells. One is low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and the other is high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

We consider LDL “bad” cholesterol because it contributes to fatty buildup in your arteries and increases your risk for serious heart problems, such as heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. 

HDL, on the other hand, is “good” cholesterol because it delivers LDL cholesterol from your arteries to your liver, where it’s processed and eliminated from your body. 

Losing weight (and the healthy habits you establish along the way) gets you into the ideal HDL range: 60 mg/dl. 

A note on triglycerides

Triglycerides are another type of lipid (fatty substance) that circulates in the blood. In fact, they’re the most common type of fat. 

As with high levels of LDL cholesterol, the more triglycerides you have, the more likely you are to suffer from serious cardiovascular problems. But you can also bring down your triglyceride levels with gradual, healthy weight loss. 

5. Lowered blood pressure

Extra body weight forces your cardiovascular system to work harder to pump blood, which increases the stress on your artery walls (blood pressure). With every pound you lose, you can bring your blood pressure down. 

We also recommend eliminating salt from your diet and eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dairy products, which can help lower your blood pressure even more. 

6. Relief from sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition among those who are overweight. There are a few different mechanisms at work, but it often stems from extra fat and tissue in the back of your throat. 

When your body relaxes during sleep, the extra tissue drops down and blocks your airways, causing you to stop breathing periodically throughout the night. Sleep apnea triggers an onslaught of health problems, especially for your heart. 

Many of our patients have seen significant improvement in their sleep apnea shortly after starting their weight loss programs. 

7. Reversed insulin resistance

Body fat releases chemicals that interfere with the body’s ability to process insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. Your pancreas works harder to make more insulin, but to no avail. Over time, your blood becomes saturated with sugar, and you develop diabetes.

A little bit of weight loss can go a long way in reversing this effect. 

8. Improved mood

Scientists are still trying to figure out why slimmer folks are happier folks, but it’s most likely due to better body image, improved outlook on life, and improved health status. 

Let’s get started

We’re excited to join you on your weight loss journey and help you start reaping all the benefits inside and out. We offer a wide range of services, including:

• Nutrition counseling
• Meal planning
• Exercise recommendations
• Dietary supplements
• Stress management
• Behavioral modification
• Prescription weight loss medications

If you’re ready to get a customized weight loss program, we’d love to talk with you. Call our friendly staff at any of our four locations. We proudly serve Goodyear, Tempe, Mesa, and Sun City, Arizona.