Health Benefits of Losing Your First Few Pounds

You’ve heard the success stories and seen the before-and-after pictures. But what you might not realize is that you don’t have to wait until you’ve reached your end goal to start reaping the benefits of weight loss. 

Your body starts feeling the effects of weight loss right from the start. Even losing 5% of your body weight can make a huge difference.

Meridith Womick, MD, and the entire entire team of medical providers and health coaches at Metabolic Medical Center know that motivation is a major stumbling block in many weight-loss journeys. So, we’re here to highlight just some of the ways your body responds almost immediately once you’ve started to lose weight. 

Your heart starts pumping better

A 5% reduction in your body weight can drop your blood pressure by as much as five points. As your blood pressure stabilizes, your cardiovascular system takes on less stress, which decreases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and even dementia. 

Losing weight also helps regulate the amount of “good” and “bad” cholesterol, which contributes to long-term cardiovascular health.  

You start feeling more energized

The heavier you are, the harder your body has to work to keep you moving all day long — even digesting your food is more of a chore. All that extra work zaps your energy and leaves you feeling chronically fatigued.

But, as the weight starts to fall off, your body can use less energy to fuel your basic functions, giving you more pep in your step. 

Your joints hurt less

For every extra pound you weigh, your joints take on four. That means losing ten pounds of excess weight removes 40 pounds of stress on your weight-bearing joints. 

As a result, you feel less pain now, and your joints stay healthier for longer. Bonus: Less joint pain helps you stay more active, which enables you to maintain weight loss. 

Your blood sugar stabilizes

Type 2 diabetes is perhaps one of the most concerning comorbidities associated with being overweight and obese. If you’re predisposed to diabetes and you’re carrying extra weight, the cells in your body become less sensitive to insulin. Fat cells are also known to be more resistant to insulin than muscle cells. 

Losing weight both reduces the amount of fat you have and allows your body to start processing insulin more efficiently. This is great news whether you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetes or you’re still prediabetic. 

Your metabolism ramps up

Being overweight bogs down your digestive system and metabolism, but every pound you lose helps those systems start firing on all cylinders again. An efficient metabolism isn’t just a pillar of overall wellness; it also helps you burn calories faster as you continue your weight loss journey. 

You sleep better

Excess weight interferes with sleep and increases the likelihood of developing sleep apnea. Shedding even a few pounds relieves the pressure on your airways and helps you sleep more comfortably.

You have a better outlook on life

There’s a direct link between physical health and emotional and mental health. As you start feeling better physically, you feel less moody, more energized, and overall happier and healthier. Even if you’re still a long way from your goal weight, hitting those small (but important) milestones does wonders for your self-esteem. 

How do I get started?

Maybe you’ve tried every diet and exercise program under the sun, or maybe you’ve just started to dip your toes in the water — either way, you’re in the right place. We welcome everyone at every phase of their weight loss journey to meet with us and learn more about our comprehensive services. Depending on your unique needs, we may recommend