Why Lose Weight?

Posted by: lucas on October 12, 2011 Under: weight loss|

It’s hard to avoid the messages that we receive every day from the media and from society in general about being overweight. For decades, thin people have been viewed as the most attractive individuals, especially by the fashion and beauty-obsessed media; however, many people are choosing to fight back by asking “why lose weight?” The movement is known by many names, including the “size acceptance” and “fat acceptance” movement, but the general idea is the same among its followers: that being overweight is not something that should draw ridicule or discrimination, and that overweight people should feel more comfortable with their bodies. No one would argue that overweight people shouldn’t face discrimination solely because of their weight, but is it possible that “fat acceptance” could be damaging to the very people who it tries to help?

Why Lose Weight: Confidence and Self-Esteem

Many fat acceptance advocates take issue with the fact that overweight people tend to have poor self-esteem because they draw ridicule and discrimination from others. Fat acceptance advocates argue that overweight people should be allowed to feel more comfortable with their bodies and should have higher self-esteem. It’s certainly true that no one should deny another individual the chance to feel confident and happy, but there is something to be said for the confidence that an individual can build through the hard work of sticking to weight loss programs.

Losing weight is both a physical and mental journey; the physical aspects include eating right and exercising more, but it also takes determination, willpower, and resiliency. A successful weight loss plan can prove to an individual that he or she has the ability to complete a difficult task, and that kind of success builds natural confidence. Being comfortable with one’s body despite the overblown messages from the media is certainly commendable, but losing weight can instill even more confidence and inspire an individual to take action in other areas of his or her life.

Why Lose Weight: The Health Benefits of Weight Loss

There is no doubt that losing weight is beneficial to one’s health, and that remaining overweight continues to put an individual at risk for a host of complications that can be reduced or eliminated through a weight loss regimen.

Just some of the benefits of weight loss include:

— Reduction in factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance, which are known to be related to cardiovascular disease and heart failure.

— A reduction in the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes, and improvement of symptoms such as blood sugar levels in those who already have the disease. Unmanaged diabetes can lead to nerve damage, vision loss, and amputation of limbs, yet weight loss can drastically reduce the chances of all those outcomes.

— Reduction in symptoms of sleep apnea. A 10 percent reduction in weight in those who were already overweight significantly improved their sleep apnea conditions, improving sleeping patterns and reducing daytime fatigue.

While the size acceptance movement has its heart in the right place, it may not be the best advice for overweight individuals to simply learn to feel comfortable with their bodies. We should all strive to reach a balance between ensuring our future long-term health and feeling comfortable with ourselves, and weight loss plans can be a vital part of that equation.