Benefits of losing weight

There are no quick fixes for losing weight and keeping it off. Weight loss takes time, commitment and determination. However, the benefits it makes to your health are significant.

Losing weight reduces your risk of developing:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Fertility problems
• Cancer

It also boosts:

• Mobility – with less pressure put on your joints it makes it easier to exercise.
• Sleep – people living with obesity can suffer from sleep apnea which can impact sleep quality.
• Energy – your energy levels can increase due to better sleep, food choice and increased activity.
• Mood – making progress towards your goal can improve your self-esteem and changes in your sleep, diet and activity all have positive impacts on your mood and wellbeing.

Losing just 5% of your body weight can can produce significant health benefits and reduce your risk of developing obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Winston is 95kg (14st 13lb) currently. Losing 5% of his body weight means he would need to lose 4.75kg (10.5lb)

In the next section we will explore the different measurements for categorising overweight and obesity and how you can determine what a healthy weight is.