by Lou Belcher

Created on: March 12, 2009

How weight loss has more importance than for looks alone.

How often do we hear that someone wants to lose weight quickly in order to fit into a dress for an upcoming event. In cases such as that, losing weight is all about looks alone. It doesn't, at that point, have much to do with health or how you feel. It's only a means to fitting into a dress.

There are many more important reasons to lose weight. Here are some of them:

1. Health is probably the most important reason to lose weight. Excess weight can cause long-term health problems that sneak up on people who don't heed the warnings. For example, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer are all linked to excess weight. If left unaddressed excess weight can take a toll.

2. Energy level is also linked to weight. Those with excess weight tend to have less energy for daily activities. They have difficulty with activities requiring endurance and stamina. When participating in physical activities they tend to fade quickly or not participate at all. Leaner folks have an easier time participating in physical activities and keeping up with their kids and peers.

3. Weight loss has a major effect on self-confidence. So often people who are overweight tend to hang back in social situations or not participate at all. When they enter the room, they are constantly thinking of people's reaction to them regarding their weight instead of enjoying the event. Weight loss can turn this around. Instead of worrying about weight, those who have lost weight can start enjoying social and work situations for what they are.

4. Those who carry too much weight or are obese tend to spend an inordinate amount of time each day thinking about weight. They feel off center because they are constantly justifying their weight in their minds and miss the real meaning of each moment. Obsession with weight takes up lots of time and energy that could better be used for creative purposes. Weight loss tends to take away all these worries and allows the person to become more centered on what is important in life.

To determine how too much excess weight is affecting your life, make a list of ten things that are important to you. Next to each item list how your current weight affects that item. Then list how things would be different if you lost weight. This will give you a good idea how weight loss has importance for more than looks alone.

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