Why Should I Lose Weight?
This is a question that only you can answer for yourself. There are all sorts of reasons why losing weight is recommended for people who are overweight or obese, but breaking down these reasons into motivational factors based on what impacts you personally is something only you can do.
When you are starting the medical weight loss program, take some time to consider what your primary reasons for wanting to lose weight are. These reasons may provide you with a deeper source of internal motivation that can encourage you during the weight loss process.
Reasons why weight loss may be a good idea for you:
1. Your Health
If you are obese or overweight, then losing weight may deliver significant health benefits. Being overweight or obese increases your risk for several conditions, including:
- Type-2 diabetes
- Heart disease
- Sleep apnea
- High cholesterol
- Joint pain and arthritis
Losing weight reduces your risk for developing these conditions, and in some cases can even reverse the onset of certain illnesses.
2. Your Mood
Overweight and obese individuals struggle with depression and severe anxiety at higher rates than those of healthy weight levels. The National Institute of Mental Health found that approximately one in four obese individuals struggle with a mood or anxiety disorder, which may include:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Panic disorder
- Generalized anxiety
The onset of mental health disturbances associated with obesity is likely a result of several factors, such as hormone imbalance, societal pressures and self-image. One 2009 study from the University of Pennsylvania found that losing just eight percent of excess weight offered significant mood improvements among depressed individuals.
3. Your Wallet
There are financial benefits to losing weight, as well. Weight discrimination is unfortunately a common problem that obese and overweight people face. On average, overweight women make six percent less than women of a healthy weight level, while overweight men face a wage gap of three percent.
Obesity can increase your cost of health care services as weight-related conditions develop. The Department of Health Policy at George Washington University calculated that obesity can cost a woman more than $4,500 annually and a man more $2,600 in health care costs that their healthy-weight counterparts do not face.
The Optifast plan may also help in managing your expenses, as the cost of food is controlled during the weight loss program.
Whatever your reason for losing weight, hold onto it and let it become a motivating factor during your weight loss program.
