We’ve been told hundreds of times how achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is an incalculable benefit for our health. We know it lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of certain cancers, improves diabetes and relieves joint pain, just to name a few, because we hear it in health messages every day.
What we don’t hear about very often are the emotional benefits.
Obesity and depression have long been linked; 43% of adults with depression are overweight or obese. In any life stage, women with depression are more likely to be obese than those without depression.
Obesity increases your chances of experiencing erectile dysfunction, especially when paired with conditions directly related to obesity such as diabetes, heart disease and atherosclerosis. For obese women, sex can be more painful and less satisfying.
Many overweight or obese people suffer from low self esteem and negative body image. The social stigma can impact your progress in your career and your ability to form friendships and other relationships.
The advantages of weight loss go far beyond the physical and will enrich all facets of your life.
The main benefit of weight loss is increased activity and improved health, which creates a positive domino effect in all aspects of your life. Because you are better able to move, that means you are better able to get involved in physical activities and gain the confidence to participate in group activities.
As you grow more and more active, you’ll find new interests to pursue that your body can now tolerate, such as spin class, volleyball, bowling, painting classes, volunteer opportunities, or even local walking tours. As you lose weight and develop a healthier relationship with food, those new activities will help you understand that socializing doesn’t need to revolve around restaurants. You’re more likely to meet new people who also have a healthy relationship with food which, studies show, helps support your nutrition decisions.
You’ll find that weight loss means you have more energy, which enables you to say “yes” to more and more invitations. Your enjoyment of these social engagements will grow because you’ll be better able to participate in team sports, dancing, other forms of movement - and the later nights. Weight loss helps you build and maintain stronger relationships with family members, as you can now walk to - and play in - the park with your children, teach your grandchildren how to play hopscotch or sprawl in the lawn with your nieces and nephews while you star gaze.
For many people, weight loss brings a new confidence. They feel empowered to ask for a better position at work; they are no longer afraid of the interview process or of how they are perceived by upper management. Studies show weight loss helps individuals in troubled relationships finally make the decision to leave.
Weight loss also enriches your sex life. Weight loss means you’ll no longer avoid sex and will be more interested in it. You’ll have more frequent and more positive sexual experiences. Your better mobility will make sex more interesting and more enjoyable.
Weight loss gives you a sense of accomplishment like no other. Not only will your health improve, but the overall quality of your life will improve. You’ll see relationships improving, you’ll see yourself becoming more confident, you’ll see your social circle expanding. Your life will improve socially, mentally and emotionally. Weight loss will bring out the best in you!
Ready to talk weight loss with Dr. Gaston? He’s ready for you! Just call 773-238-1126 to request a free consultation!
