The "Ups" and "Downs" of Weight Loss

The Ups and Downs of Weight Loss.

The Ups? You will lose weight and you will feel and look better! The Downs? Having to wait on that loss. But ya know what, anything worth losing to gain your health happiness back takes time!

What are some of your Ups?

Staying positive during your journey is so important for your mindset!

There are so many Ups to losing weight, the list can go on and on and on!

Here are just a few benefits – even I have noticed with my own weight loss:

• Even a modest weight loss of 5% to 10% of your total body weight can make improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars. All of these have come way down with my weight loss!

• Even a modest weight loss of 5% to 10% of your total body weight can improve mental health and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Weight loss can and already has improved my sleep, raised my self-esteem, and boosted my sex drive and energy levels. (Even in my fifties!)

Recording your day in a journal or on a computer app is so beneficial to keep track of your progress!

I have spent a lot less time sitting around the house. Instead, I get out a lot more. I go for walks, meet new people – socially – I will (you will) feel so much better about yourself to be around other people!

• My energy levels have skyrocketed. Even though I still have sixty-five pounds to lose, when you're carrying around fewer pounds, you use less energy to simply go about your day. Weight loss also improves oxygen efficiency, so you won't find me even the slightest out of breath when climbing stairs or walking down to get the mail.

Exercise is so important to add into your daily routine! Even just doing any kind of movement daily or at least three times a week makes a significant difference in staying active and getting those stubborn pounds off!

So, what about the Downs? Are there any downs to weight loss?

Yes!

• Being impatient is the number one feeling! Having to work hard every week to get those pounds off can be a real downer!

• Reaching a plateau and not losing anything after you have been working so hard, is a big-time downer!

Here are some other downs you may experience or notice in other people:

· Your relationship may be tested. - Losing weight can make you feel sexier, but your slimmed-down body – and that newfound confidence – won’t necessarily strengthen your bond with your spouse. (Especially if you have lost an extreme amount of weight).

· If you were depressed before that may not change. - While most people feel happier after they’ve lost weight, it’s not a cure-all. “For a smaller percentage of people, mood will not improve even after they lose 100 pounds”. That may be because weight loss doesn’t address any underlying problems that caused the weight gain to begin with. Seek professional mental counseling to help you get through this phase.

· Foods might taste differently. - Losing a lot of weight in a small amount of time might alter your taste buds. (I think this may be a good thing though!)

So even though there are ups and downs of weight loss – I wouldn’t have it any other way. Finding my health happiness is the most important trip to make no matter what they are!

And yours will be too!