When we look at being a healthy weight, we look at factors like quality of life. Being a healthy weight can help you prevent and control many diseases and conditions. If you are overweight, you have a much higher risk of developing serious health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain types of cancers. Additionally, being overweight or obese is related to many conditions that cause pain such as arthritis, depression, back and foot pain, and fibromyalgia. 

Here are more compelling reasons to work at maintaining a healthy weight:

Benefit #1 – Discomfort Relief. When someone is overweight or obese, the likelihood of being active drops. The extra weight causes more strain on joints, bones, and muscles causing them to work harder just to move around.

Benefit #2 – Healthier Heart. The higher your weight, the harder your heart needs to work, even when you are at rest. Even a small amount of weight loss can increase the amount of blood going to vital organs, allowing the heart to work more efficiently. 

Benefit # 3 – Lower Risk of Diabetes. In some cases, after losing weight if you have diabetes, it may be more controllable through diet and increased activity. 

Benefit #4 – Cancer Avoidance. Losing weight will not prevent cancer, but it will greatly reduce the possibility of developing certain forms of cancer. 

Benefit #5 – Prevent Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is an affliction of the joints in the body and added weight can lead to this condition. By maintaining a healthy weight, you can help prevent this disorder before it starts. 

Benefit #6 – Increased Fertility. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine estimates that 12% of infertility cases are because of weight-related issues because weight can affect menstruation cycles. 

Benefit #7 – Better Sleep. John Hopkins School of Medicine observed that weight loss can help you achieve higher quality sleep and decreased breathing issues, like sleep apnea. 

Benefit #8 – Longer Life. And finally, time and time again it is shown that for those in the healthy weight range there is a lower risk of disease and thus a longer life!