When I was overweight – fat - obese – whatever you want to label it, I knew I was headed down a dangerous path. I was old enough to realize that weighing twice what I should weigh wasn’t healthy, emotionally or physically. As my weight crept up and then leapt up, I noticed drastic changes in my appearance, and subtle changes in my health. If you think about weight gain, you will realize that it doesn’t happen overnight. Generally speaking, if you are substantially overweight, it took years to get to the point where you are now. Because of this, often times your overall health status changes slowly as well. That was true for me.
During the years I put on weight I began noticing little health problems that weren’t there previously. Whereas I had always been able to walk without difficulty, I sometimes found myself unable to walk for even short periods of time without feeling winded and exhausted. I remember one time when John and I took the children to the park to walk the nature trail. We set off happily on the narrow trail, and it wasn’t long before I realized that I was kinda big for the trail, but I kept going. As the trail drifted upward, I started to fall behind. John and the kids ended up quite a bit ahead of me as I struggled to keep up with them. I couldn’t believe how tired I was when we finally reached the end of the long trail. As we left the trail, and walked past the marker for the beginning of the trail again, I glanced at the signage. The long trail had only been .5 miles. That was the first time I realized that I was seeing some real physical effects of the extra weight I was carrying. As I grew bigger, this type of exhaustion and tiredness happened over and over. My family became accustomed to me saying, “I just need to rest for a minute.”
Some other side effects of my weight that I personally noticed in addition to difficulty breathing and becoming easily tired were: sweating more, pain in my knees and back, harder to keep skin my clear, and at one point the doctor suspected I was suffering from gallstones, but fortunately that turned out to be a false alarm. Other things that researchers have found are more common in overweight individuals than in those of normal weight are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diseases related to hardening of the arteries, such as heart attack and stroke (cardiovascular disease), type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.
So all this brings us to the initial question. Are the health benefits of losing weight worth the effort? Well, before we can answer that question, let’s see what research has found the health benefits to be. Here are some commonly accepted benefits to losing even small amounts of weight:
- Lower your cholesterol levels
- Reduce your blood pressure
- Reduced aches and pains
- Improved mobility
- Improve your breathing
- Help you sleep better and wake more rested
- Prevention of angina, chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart
- Decreases your risk of sudden death from heart disease or stroke
- Prevention of Type 2 diabetes
- Improved blood sugar levels
- May aid in the prevention of some cancers
That’s a pretty impressive list. I personally experienced several of those benefits as I lost weight, and the health benefits increased even more once I reached my goal weight. My blood pressure dropped significantly, my energy level increased, my aches and pains disappeared, I no longer was exhausted at the end of the evening and I slept better. I know too, that by losing weight and getting fit, I have increased the chance that I will live longer.
As you go about your day today, examine how you feel physically. Are your joints tired? Do you get easily winded? What does your doctor say about your weight? How’s your blood pressure and cholesterol levels?
If you are ever tempted to take a break from your quest to improve your health, I’d encourage you to think about how every good choice you make gives you one more opportunity to make your quality of life fuller and those day to day tasks easier. Is there a specific health benefit that you are working towards? Is there one you’ve already achieved that you’d be willing to share? Diane
have you done any posts on the FA movement?
Id adore your take on that.
.-= MizFit´s last blog ..HALLOWEEN (subtitle: Miz hearts the candy corn edition). =-.
Food Addicts?
or
Fat Acceptance?
or
is there another?
.-= vickie´s last blog ..The Big Picture with a few well chosen pieces =-.
Vickie – I’m pretty sure MizFit is talking about Fat Acceptance. I think I will put my thoughts out there. It can be a pretty controversial topic!
I would love to read that post!!
Losing weight will also help improve gastric reflux and sleep apnea
You have to remember I was a fit aerobic trainer for years before I gained the weigh when I stopped and moved to germany…so immediatly felt the difference to my body. I exploded so quickly my skin felt like it would tear – I started getting painful joints, shoulders etc etc…it was the worst time of my life as I was supple – was always able to do the splits etc and now had this huge roll of fat on my stomach that stopped me being able to touch my toes.
Now feel the old me is back…and have no injuries or pain – all has gone with the weight I lost.
I keep telling my overweight friends that complain about their aches and pains…that once the weight is going, so will all those nasty pains…
Brilliant entry…
Once again thanks.
.-= Marcelle´s last blog ..Finally…Me & My New Boots =-.
My mother is obese. She is now in her 70′s and suffers from debilitating arthritis. I have watched her go from being somewhat active, despite her weight, to being unable to stand for 10-15 minutes and unable to walk except maybe across the street. I’m in my later 40′s and for the past 5 years have experienced the onset of the same kind of arthritis. Though I’m not overweight (Now that is. In my 20′s I struggled with being overwieght/obese.), I recognized that the lighter I am, the better it is on my joints and my future activity. So I watch my weight carefully and am even trying to get lighter.
I’ve slacked off here and there through the years. Even that small inching back up with a few pounds made me feel different -in a bad way. I can’t go back there. I need to maintain. And so I will.
Your posts are ALWAYS great. I esp liked this one since I read a very popular blog where the person has lost a TON of weight, but still makes horrible choices…just watches calories. I don’t get it, if the primary reason for the journey is health then why continue to eat the junk? Making healthy choices makes you feel SO much better. I dont think you can lose weight and say I am healthier and continue to go to McDonalds, chick fil a, or fast food . I am happy it’s working for some to just count calories and continue with eating crap, but doesnt make sense to me. Maybe when you are that obese, it makes the transition easier? This particular person has been on the journey for a long time though and still eating minimal fruits and veggies . I don’t get it, but again happy for the success just know how great I feel when I am eating “clean” veggies , fruit and lean protein mostly…with the occasional splurge. Thoughts?
Losing 110 pounds corrected my infertility problems ( PCOS – poly-cystic ovarian syndrome). However, the PCOS did not disappear with the weight loss. I am not the only woman who has experienced this . Sadly PCOS can make weight loss very difficult, but nothing on earth is impossible if you find the right approach
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Day three of joy in the journey- looking at worry =-.
When I began exercising regularly, one of the first things that I noticed is that my horrible monthly period cramps were completely gone. I couldn’t believe it, my cramps used to be so intense that sometimes I had to take a pain killer and curl up into a fetal position.
My chronic acne, which never completely went away ever since I hit the puberty, was also completely gone. Talking about wasted money on Roaccutane and expensive cosmetics when I could have gotten a gym membership with much better results!
I was not obese enough to experience more serious problems like sleep apnea or heart palpitations, but now I sleep better and my energy level has dramatically increased.
Now I understand that I’m finally fixing my long-abused endocrine system for the first time in my adult life. It really makes a world of difference in my quality of life.
Hi Diane – Another good topic here! About 4 years ago, I developed Type 2 Diabetes. I was always in the “pre” stage, essentially borderline; but my key lab values were sufficient to qualify me for the diagnostic code from an insurance standpoint. Being a nurse, you’d think I would have been jolted into action, but I just continued on with my overeating and sugar/carb addiction. Since starting my program this past June, all my numbers are now entirely normal, so that there is no current evidence of the Type 2. That was an absolute thrill to get that feedback in early September, and great motivation to continue on this path.
.-= Leslie Erickson´s last blog ..Uncomfort Zone =-.
While I have seen success in the health realm, I still hope to see more. I am now on a very small fraction of the medicine that I was on just a year ago. My blood pressure is normal, although I am taking 1/4 of the meds I was on a year ago. My cholesterol (total and LDL) are fantastic while on a very small fraction of what I was on medicine-wise. My trigylcerides are outstanding. My blood sugar and HDL cholesterol are still not where they need to be, but my hope is that when I go for my physical in two weeks I will get a different report.
Is it worth it? Oh yeah, it is most certainly worth it.
.-= South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Wednesday’s Word of the Day – Fun =-.
Besides all of the health benefits, confidence and energy are my biggest motivators to stay in shape and eat healthy foods.
.-= Joanna Sutter´s last blog ..Canned GOODS =-.
Yes, Yes, Yes. The health benefits you mentioned and the ones that the others before me mentioned are worth all the efforts. It’s just so hard to know all the benefits and then still struggle with the process. Do you know what I mean?
I’ve seen a lot of changes even with the relatively small (for me) amount of weight I’ve lost to this point. I can move easier, I can breathe easier, and I’m honestly not as tired as I used to be.
I’m getting excited to keep going on my road!
Oh, yeah, it’s ALL worth it! July 2008 — I was in the ER for a BP at STROKE level. It was hours before my BP came back down to an “acceptable” level.
My family Doc then put me on Metformin (pre-diabetic, he said), Metoprolol (HBP), and Lovastatin (Cholesterol).
I didn’t do much until January ’09 when something finally clicked — and I started to take getting the weight off seriously.
62 pounds down and I am walking 2-4 miles daily. I’ve been off the HBP meds for 3 weeks and he’s only got me on Metformin now as a continued aid to weight loss.
.-= GeorgiaMist´s last blog ..LUNA – CY!!! (GIVEAWAY!!!) =-.
I do think that I have a higher energy level when I am more fit. I think I was able to recover faster from getting sick, b/c I was eating healthier and exercising. I was never overly obese (about 200ish lbs), but definitely didn’t feel the greatest and had more digestion problems I think, b/c of the way that I ate. I also didn’t sleep very well (though that still happens now too!), and was tired a lot. I think if you eat healthy, then you feel healthy too. (Though sometimes easier said than done! lol)
Great points, Diane! Sometimes I forget about the healthy benefits to what i’m doing and focus more on the physical benefits – I definitely feel like I have more energy and I sleep better!!
.-= fittingbackin´s last blog ..New Breakfast Recipe, Lots of Clothing Pics, The Fabulous Sash, Recipe Fail and Twilight!! =-.
Diane, great post! I was never so obese to feel these things when I was younger & heavy BUT I have relatives that are/were obese & had all the things you discussed.. especially trouble breathing, not being able to do much before tiring out, painful knees & joints etc.
One thing these relatives had & were able to get better control of as they lost weight was their asthma symptoms… so much improvement after losing weight & starting to exercise.
For me, the benefits of weight training are important too for bone health, prevention of osteoporosis & to reduce bone breaks & fractures as we get older. Also, for me, being 52 next month & going thru perimenopause, exercise is key to all this. Yes, there are things I have not been able to control during this but at least I have the knowledge to fight back as it fights me!
OH, in MizFit’s comment.. what is the FA movement? Am I missing something?
.-= Jody – Fit at 51´s last blog ..Weight & the Holidays – Part 1 =-.
When you’re prediabetic, it’s hard to argue the importance of losing weight– though losing weight won’t necessarily keep you from becoming diabetic, it is supposed to help stave off the onset and make the disease more manageable when you are diagnosed.
.-= Larkspur´s last blog ..Huh =-.
I agree entirely with you, but unfortunately, for some people at certain times in life (the dreaded 50s, for example), weight loss does NOT solve everything.
My blood pressure remains slightly to moderately high despite my weight loss and the arthritis in my knee is just as painful. I think in my case, age and heredity trump weight loss. Which doesn’t mean I’m not happy to be somewhat lighter.
Thanks for the reminder again. I know that my knees are not hurting like they had begun to last spring. That knee pain was a big push for me to do something about my weight – I knew I was too young (32) to have problems like that and it was probably due to my obesity.
I look forward to all the other health benefits that will come with reaching my goal.
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Weightloss Portions and Other Thoughts =-.
Have I told you how much I love your blog?
As I said not long ago on my blog, the “looking better” part ROCKS, but the health and energy far outweigh (lol) that.
Cholesterol at 175 pounds = 330s
Triglycerides at 175 pounds = 440s
Pulse Rate at 175 pounds = 75-80
Cholesterol at 130 pounds = 164
Triglycerides at 130 pounds = 75
Pulse rate at 130 pounds = around 56-58
THAT is the best motivation EVER!!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Everything in Moderation =-.
One of the things I noticed when I was bigger was that I compensated for my lack of mobility. My life was geared to conserving energy. Even when I was active, say playing basketball, I would move as little as possible. The obvious health benefits are all well and good, but I’m appreciating all the tiny ones as well.
.-= Jack Sh*t, Gettin’ Fit´s last blog ..Regrets, I Have a Few… =-.
Health is my main reason for losing my weight, without a doubt!!
Diane, you have an award waiting for you at my blog!! A thankyou for your great blog full of inspiration to me!!!
.-= brenda´s last blog ..Gorgeous blogger award =-.
I’m off all of my meds!!! I think I already told you this, but No more bad cholesterol, no more high blood pressure, and my diabetes is being controlled with diet and exercise, which is a dream come true…so no more diabetes pills!! I still have a thyroid problem but that requires medicine for the rest of my life….and I still have PCOS..but there’s no cure for that. All in all, I’m VERY pleased with what I’ve been able to accomplish thus far health-wise! It’s a feeling of freedom and I love it!
Since the high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure run in the family I think excercise is my preventitive. Good post, thank you for sharing
I completely agree with Chris above. My TOM used to be so bad, I thought my future company would have to get used to me taking off one day a month because there was no way I could get out of bed on that day. I started running to lose weight and feel more energized in the morning. To my pleasant surprise, I noticed my cramps decreasing and now, except for the occasional back pain, I don’t even notice my TOM anymore! What a wonderful unknown side effect!
Diane, I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and I have to tell you how much I appreciate all of your thoughts and encouragements. It has definitely saved me from several binge moments. I don’t know if you’ve addressed this in an earlier post, but how do you deal with the frustration of having to do all of this? Now, whenever a friend asks me to go out, the first thing I consider is how it is going to affect my calories for the week. Will there ever be a time where you can *enjoy* your weight loss and not over fret about your eating for fear of regaining everything you worked so hard to lose? When I try to give myself a chance to “loosen up”, I become afraid that it is going to snowball into a downward spiral (..because it has before). I don’t want to be “a person who lost weight”, I just want to be a “normal person” – if that makes any sense.
First, I’d like to second Miz’s request for your take on the fat acceptance movement. I’m genuinely curious about your thoughts on it.
Second, one of the health benefits I am working toward as I lose weight: Lowering my cholesterol! I was very unhappily surprised when I found out it was at 243 when I had it checked this spring. I want to bring that number down!
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Into the 180s by a Hair! =-.
Things I’ve achieved:
1. No more GERD. And I had it so bad, that only THE most expensive prescription worked. At the highest dose. Now? NADA For that alone I’m saving $40 a month in the co-pay!
2. Normal blood pressure. I had high blood pressure AND white coat syndrome, meaning it was always worse around health care providers. On more than one occasion, ON medication, I hit 180/110 at either the emergency room or the doctor’s office. And it took several medications to find one that worked, and it’s higher dose. Now, I’m almost off blood pressure meds. And if my doctor wasn’t so ultra conservative, I would be. On the lowest dose, my home numbers are 105/65′ish. A perfect 120/75 if the office. I should be off of them some time in the spring. That will be another $10 a month in co-pays, GONE.
3. No longer huff or puff. I can dance an hour straight and not even break a SWEAT!
I rock! Losing 50 lbs. (plus) will do that for you, even if you are over 57 and post-menopausal.
.-= Sunny´s last blog ..Chickie Awards! =-.
I think that’s the best reason to lose weight. I don’t care if I can fit into skinny jeans anymore, I just want to have wellness for many years to come.
I’m lucky that a lot of the health problems with being overweight I haven’t had to deal with, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. I have other stuff though, which is a daily reminder that you don’t want to continue being that way.
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Recharged =-.
The major health benefit I’m looking to achieve? HEALTH INSURANCE. I’m an otherwise healthy woman, but can’t be insured because of my weight.
My mom has diabetes and high blood pressure. Her father died from a heart attack. So the reality of where my health was headed had I not stopped my unhealthy ways is very evident to me.
.-= Josie´s last blog ..9 Minutes =-.
Two things, really….
I want off of my hypertension meds. I do not want to be tied to a pill for the rest of my life. My Dad takes them, and all of the sudden just decided they were not worth the hassle anymore. Five years later, he had a stroke. I don’t want that to be me, either. I want to be able to medically have them no longer be necessary.
I want to have another baby. While God may have other plans, if I am blessed with another, I want to be at a good weight, not going into a pregnancy with high blood pressure like last time, which turned into pre-e and caused my son to be born 5 weeks early. I know being thinner is no guarantee that I wouldn’t suffer from it again, but it would be one less risk for me, and for the baby.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Another NSV =-.
Since I have PCOS, insulin resistance (that’s managed by diet), and hypothyroid, losing weight definitely helped a lot. Even at 5’6″ and only a size 14, my health was in danger with high blood sugar and high blood pressure – in my mid 20s. Getting my weight and size way down has improved my health a great deal. Now with MS, being fit and health really helps with how I feel on a daily basis.
Yes, the health benefits are definitely worth it. I also am noticing less anxiety as I lose more weight. That is definitely and added bonus.
No doubt about it, one’s quality of life is so much better when we are fit! I suppose the problem arises when weight gain happens while still protected by youth. Listen to Diane, it can be reversed if you want to do it.
I think things that ARE wrong get ‘missed’ or not dealt with because they are just sort of lost in the big clump of not feeling well all the time.
for me some things just plain disappeared as the weight came off, and other things that I thought were ‘normal’ turned out to be an actual physical problem.
I think my expectation changed.
NOW I expect to have NO pain.
and most of the time – now – I do not.
and when I do have a pain – I do not ignore it.
and that is a very big change.
.-= vickie´s last blog ..The Big Picture with a few well chosen pieces =-.
Health is the very BEST reason to lose weight. What is really frustrating me is the health issues I’m having NOW after losing 50 pounds and developing a healthy lifestyle for a few years. What the heck????? So not fair.
.-= MamaBearJune´s last blog ..HYC check in =-.
Health is my great motivator as well. While I didn’t suffer from any of the typical ailments of being overweight; I am certain I wasn’t too far off from developing one or more had I not lost weight.
With that being said, vanity is a close second as a motivator and keeps me on track w/ maintenance.
yes to the all time affirmative!!! I could have written your post!! The huffing and puffing.. sweating, aching aching muscles, plantar fasciitis, heart palpitations, sleep apnea.. you name it. I’m still obese, but already I’ve ditched most of those health problems.
Now – I work up a sweat, and like it.
Great post, Diane, As always…
.-= Amos the Lion heart´s last blog ..an interesting walk =-.
It’s all about better health and proving to myself that I am still capable of positive change in my life.
.-= Gigi´s last blog ..Booster Club =-.
For me, getting healthy was the most important reason to lose the extra weight. I had high blood pressure, and was about to be put on more medication. That’s when I finally realized that I hadn’t given it my all. My journey truly became about health, and I think that’s what made it successful.
The health reason makes the most sense to me. They are why I am on this journey. Infertility is my scariest health condition. This is my whole reason for losing weight, I want to be able to have kids naturally. Fingers crossed!
.-= MackAttack´s last blog ..Sweet Potato Risotto =-.
Funny you should ask
I was at the gym this morning, doing a “hilly ride” on the bike (it was too cold and windy to ride outside, so I had to make “do” at the gym) — and I had my left knee bandaged, my right shin bandaged, my elbow wrapped, and a hot wrap on my lower back!!! So, when you ask if the health “benefits” are worth the effort….? Well…I still have to say YES! All of this pain is FAR easier to live with then “nameless” aches and pains, exhaustion, lack of energy and depression. Give me an ace bandage over a bowl of ice cream any day! I think it’s a fair trade 
.-= Cari (aka Gastric Bypass Barbie)´s last blog ..Suck It Up. =-.
I think you forgot… increased sex drive
wink
.-= my kashi diet´s last blog ..we all have our reasons…. =-.
Hey Diane, You know I’ve been a sucker for those value-sized meals. Unfortunately, the food companies prey on our gluttonous nature. They have studied our habits and how we think about food and “bargains.” They effectively market all this food to us to increase their profits. Buyer beware.
i will definatly give it a try