8 Surprising Benefits of Losing Weight Beyond Looking Leaner
There’s no denying that looking leaner and fitting into smaller clothing are significant drawcards for men who decide to lose weight. At a minimum, it’s undoubtedly a self-esteem boost. However, the benefits of losing weight through diet, exercise, and weight loss medication are far-reaching. Here are just some of the many you may experience on your weight loss journey:
Improved Mood and Confidence
Whether you try Shed to lose weight or drop the pounds in another way, you may start to notice that your mood is better and your confidence levels have increased. For many people, there is a remarkable difference in their self-image and brain chemistry. Science also supports this; according to studies, weight loss is linked to lower rates of anxiety and depression.
Reduced Stress Hormones
If you’ve lost weight, it’s possible that you’re now feeling more balanced and calmer. This isn’t a coincidence. Reducing high body fat content can lower chronically elevated cortisol levels. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t true for everyone. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t feel calmer after shedding the pounds, as cortisol measures have a U-shaped relationship with BMI.
Improved Hormonal and Sexual Health
If you’ve previously struggled with your sexual performance, libido, or even your fertility, weight loss may be exactly what you need to improve your hormonal and sexual health and get your sex life back on track.
Losing weight can naturally boost your testosterone levels as excess body fat converts testosterone into estrogen. What’s more, better hormone balance and circulation from weight loss supports improved erectile function and desire. If you’re planning to start a family, weight loss helps in this area, too. There’s potential for it to improve sperm quality and count.
Better Insulin Sensitivity
Nearly one in five men in the United States has type 2 diabetes. There is also a higher prevalence in men than in women. If you’re showing signs of early insulin resistance or are generally at risk of a diagnosis, weight loss may change that.
Losing weight by decreasing the fat around your organs improves insulin sensitivity and function. As a result, your body is able to use insulin more effectively to clear sugar from the blood and prevent blood sugar spikes.
Alongside exercise and weight-loss drugs, you can also reduce your risk of a diabetes diagnosis by eating fiber-rich whole foods and limiting refined carbs, processed meats, sugary drinks, and fast food.
Enhanced Sleep
When you’re overweight, it’s not uncommon to wake up after what you thought was a restful night’s sleep, only to still feel tired. In part, that can relate to your weight. You can be at a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and restless leg syndrome. This is because excess fat can disrupt your breathing, increase pain levels, and worsen underlying conditions.
While people of a healthy weight can still have these problems, you may find that losing weight reduces the severity of sleep apnea and snoring. With better sleep, your daily energy levels may be higher.
Reduced Joint Pain
Many men notice significantly less pain in weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees, when they begin to lose weight. This is due to lower physical load and reduced systemic inflammation.
According to a study of obese and overweight older adults with knee osteoarthritis, just one pound of lost weight resulted in a four-fold reduction of the load exerted on the knee per step during daily activities. When accumulated over thousands of steps per day, this reduction can be clinically meaningful. When weight loss has resulted in less joint pain, you may also be at a reduced risk of needing hip and knee replacements.
Increased Energy
When you work long hours and have a stressful job, it’s only natural to feel tired at the end of the working day. You may even regularly look forward to your weekends when you can sleep in and relax.
Losing weight doesn’t mean you won’t feel fatigued, but you may notice significant improvements to your energy levels. Losing weight boosts your physical capacity, reduces the burden on your body, and improves your overall metabolic function. As a result, you can feel stronger and more energetic.
With your newfound energy, you may feel more excited about trying new things, like hiking, and making the most of your free time.
Lower Cancer Risk
No one is immune to cancer. The sobering reality is that nearly 39% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. However, losing weight means you’re at a reduced risk of obesity-related cancers.
A number of cancers are linked with excess body weight, including breast cancer, colon and rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, and esophageal cancer. Growing evidence suggests that intentionally losing weight might reduce the risk of some cancer types.
Body changes that occur with weight loss may also contribute to that lower risk. For example, people with excess body weight who lose weight also reduce the levels of certain hormones linked to cancer risks, such as androgens, estrogens, and insulin.
Currently, excess body weight is linked to approximately 7% of all cancer deaths. Its effects can manifest in many ways, such as inflammation, hormone levels that fuel cell growth, and cell and blood vessel growth.
Of course, looking slim and fitting into smaller clothing is a wonderful feeling when you lose weight, but it’s not all you have to gain from the process. You can reduce your risk of health issues, sleep better, and feel generally healthier.
