Hey I’m far from being a health nut and I never really got deep into the health issues of why lose weight, but some things really hit home when it comes to eating well and living a healthy lifestyle.
Maybe you need another reason to justify why lose weight?
You see, I know a Big Mac is over 500 calories (and almost half of that is fat!) and I know that pizza and a cold one is not always the best food choice, but I believe in moderation and I know that abstaining from these “pleasures” once in a while would only give me cravings – and that is not a good thing.
Chances are you probably already knew that too, right? I mean people are pretty informed about calories, and sugar, and fat content in food. And these reasons why lose weight are pretty much common knowledge as well :
- increased risk of heart disease
- shorter life span (how many obese octagenarians have you seen?)
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- diabetes (over 80% of people with diabetes are overweight)
- increased risk of cancer
- increased risk of arthritis and asthma
- hypertension and cardio-vascular disease
- problems with joints
- and on, and on…You can read more detailed information on the health effects of obesity and why lose weight from the American Heart Association website.
Yet despite that, 65% of adults and 15% of children are overweight or obese! I featured a video by Dean Ornish in a previous post on why lose weight but today I want to share one more reason that you may not be aware of.
A recent report from the Cenegenics Medical Institute, provides another reason why lose weight. It refers to a few studies that show a correlation between visceral (belly) fat and brain volume. While there is no conclusive evidence yet that a big belly is related to increased risk of Alzheimer’s, the studies do show a relationship to decreased cognitive ability and significant risk of dementia!
So maybe if all the other reasons why lose weight weren’t enough for you – perhaps you will be motivated by this one!
Personally, I kind of like the thought of retaining my cognitive ability, thank-you very much!
So what does the question why lose weight have to do with living with purpose and living fulfilled?
Well, we all decide what our purpose in life is. We all decide what it is that we need to do to live a fulfilled life. We all will be our own judge of that in the end.
I recently met someone who had lost 60 pounds and was aiming to lose 50 more because he absolutely wanted to skydive! He was motivated to reach the maximum permissible weight to jump out of a plane…Hey, whatever works, right? He was living with purpose and he was taking action.
So the question is, if living healthy is something you plan on doing someday when you have the time or the money, but you just never seem to get around to. Ask yourself this – if you were to look back on your life, would you regret not having done things that you can’t do because you are overweight? If the answer is yes, then what are you waiting for? What is your reason why lose weight?
Aloha Patch, very true we all need to look after ourselves and not rely on someone else to do it for us. If this was so, we would be in the predicament we are in. I can say I have a few family and friends that are unhealthy and there health is not the best, but they can make a change and do it better for them. Glad I came by and thanks for sharing! Lanikee.com 🙂
PS..come by and share a sweet comment. The benefits are sharing is caring. Mahalo!
Great article! Your writing is so refreshing in comparison to most other writers. Thanks for posting when you get the chance to, I will be sure to subscribe!
Thanks Tobie!
I think the bigger question is…what’s the reason NOT to lose weight?? 😉
Good post Patch!
As an overweight person, I can say it’s not that simple. I love how healthy people say why not loose weight? What’s wrong with you. Are you lazy? I can’t speak for anyone else but I can speak for me. I am afraid. I am 36 and have been overweight most of my life. I didnt wake up and choose to be this way. But I know that as a younger adult, I didn’t always handle my emotions as good as I could have. I ate when I was depressed. And when I was happy. I was not taught proper nutrition, I was ignorant.
I have dieted back and fourth for many years but a year ago I was convinced I had the answer. Bariatric surgery. I went to my doctor and was told I was not obese enough. So what did I do? Went home and ate to purposely get fatter. Then my husband had to switch jobs and when I went back to the doctor 25 lbs heavier, I was finally approved! I got home and contacted my insurance only to find out my insurance doesn’t cover it. So that’s when more depression started and you know what comes with my depression, more eating. I’ve tried a few more diets here and there, and when I got a compliment that I was starting to look thinner, I would sabotage my diet and gain what I lost right back. I’m not sure why. The only thing I can really think of is I know I’m going to end up right back here again eventually. It’s crazy, I know. But now I’m really paying for it, and so are my two amazing children. I have COPD, it’s a terminal disease. Not sure how I got it because I or anyone around doesn’t smoke. But now I’m told I will increase my life expancency if I am healthier. Well, I still don’t know what that means. But I have to invest money that I don’t have to find out and dig myself out of this pit that I put myself in. Everyday is a struggle. And it seems so simple… “what do I put in my mouth that will help me live or die?” If it’s that simple, why is that information not FREE and available to everyone? You can walk into a clinic to abort you baby but you can’t walk in to get help getting healthy. That doesn’t make sense to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve purchased excersise videos and tried different plans but was not able to put it all together. There are more diets and people telling you how to get healthy if you buy their products than religion. Who’s right? Life happens, I’m really happy and proud of those people who can make a difference in their life but I’m not one of them. So don’t judge me. I already judge myself, everytime I look in the mirror or try on clothes that don’t fit. When my 10year old daughter asks me to go ride the bike with her and I can’t. Or everytime I go somewhere and get treated like crap because I’m not thin and beautiful. So the next time you see me, just shut your mouth and watch me die.