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Most people would agree that maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial to their health, but would you guess that just losing 5-10 pounds could cut your risk of many diseases by 25%, 35%, or even 50% or more? Extra body fat affects your body chemistry, posture, and even how other organs communicate with each other. The following conditions can be improved or even reversed through healthy weight loss.

Heart disease
A multitude of related illnesses are commonly seen in overweight individuals. Poor diet leads to high cholesterol levels, which leads to arteriosclerosis, which leads to high blood pressure and increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. All five diseases can be greatly improved with just a 10-15 percent weight loss.

Sleep apnea
A disturbance caused by an upper airway blockage, sleep apnea is common in overweight individuals due to enlarged airway anatomy that can become closed during sleep. Losing weight can result in more restful sleep and more stable oxygen levels.

Diabetes
Overweight individuals are twice as likely to develop type 1 or 2 diabetes than people who maintain a healthy weight. Diabetes itself, besides being a bother to your diet and lifestyle, comes with many of its own serious health consequences that at their worst include blindness and loss of extremities due to amputation.

Arthritis and gout
A heavier frame means more weight to carry around, which can be a strain for aging muscles and joints. Weight loss that allows you to be more mobile can result in better blood flow, better flexibility, and a higher level of physical independence as you age.

Cancers
While many cancers are not directly linked to being overweight, the chances of being diagnosed with cancer are higher for overweight individuals. This is due to both the extra weight and the lack of nutrients that may accompany a poor diet.

Emotional benefits
When you look good, you feel good. Losing weight can be a powerful tool in restoring the self esteem that many people lose when they begin to gain weight. Besides feeling better about how you look, losing weight through exercise releases feel-good hormones into your blood stream, which further boosts your mood and confidence.

Increased energy
The less weight you have to drag around, the more energy you will have. Just getting started with an exercise routine is often enough to kick-start your energy into an upward spiral of exercise, more energy, more exercise, further weight loss, more energy, etc.

Weight loss in overweight individuals translates to a lot more than just a decrease in high blood pressure and risk of disease. Losing just a few extra pounds can create total-body benefits that are seen both immediately and in the future. If you are overweight and considering your need to lose weight, this list of moderate to serious health problems gives you several good reasons to take action and start making changes today.

Learn more about this author, Kimberly Dawn Wells.
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