5 Health Benefits of Losing just 5 % of your Body Weight

Would you consider yourself overweight? If you answered yes, let me ask you another question. Are you trying to lose weight?  A lot of people get discouraged if their weight loss goals don't happen right away. In fact, many people quit their efforts too soon because the pounds are slow to come off. While ridding your body of  excess weight of 20 or more pounds may be ideal, even shedding 5 pounds will be beneficial to your body. Imagine carrying a 5 lb bag of flour around all day every day. Now, imagine the joy of not carrying it. Today, I want to help you recognize and celebrate the  small victories along the way. When you do, you will be motivated to keep going. 

Did you know that losing just 5% of your body weight has a huge impact on your health?

Yep, that's right. If you weigh 200 pounds and lose only 10 you have improved your health significantly.  A study out of the Center for Human Nutrition at Washington University School of Medicine showed that a 5% weight loss can make a very big difference and give you major health benefits.

Though there’s no doubt that “an additional 10 to 15% weight loss continues to cause even more improvements,” the researchers found many benefits come from even small weight loss steps.

Losing weight can be hard and it takes time. Between now and your final goal, make sure that you recognize the good you’re doing along the way. Here are some of the awesome benefits of losing just 5% of your body weight:

5 Major Health Benefits of Losing just 5% of Your Body Weight

1. Boosts Your Heart Health

One of the biggest enemies of a healthy heart is the fatty plaque we all know as cholesterol. It builds up inside of your arteries and puts you at risk.

2. Feel Good About Yourself

Recognize the weight that you’ve lost. Even if it’s just a few pounds it goes a long way towards making you feel proud about what you've accomplished. The confidence you gain from learning how to be consistent and exercising self discipline will keep you motivated to continue to make healthy choices. That self discipline will serve you in every area of your life, so whatever changes you are making, whether it is drinking more water, eating more green leafy vegetables, eliminating sugary beverages, getting 10,000 + steps a day, celebrate that.  A 5% weight loss will make you feel better and will motivate you to  stick to your weight loss plan.

The secret to success? Give yourself credit for what you’ve accomplished and celebrate every milestone!

3. Better Sleep

A study out of the University of Pennsylvania showed that people who dropped just 5% of their body weight got an average of 21.6 more minutes of sleep.

If that doesn’t sound like much, think again. Twenty minutes is a lot, especially if you have insomnia.

Getting enough sleep has big health benefits. 

• Improves your mood
• keeps immune system strong
• Stay at a healthy weight
• Lower your risk for serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease
• Reduce stress and improve your mood
• Think more clearly and do better in school and at work
• Gives you more will power
• Decreases the urge to eat fatty foods

4. Less Pain and Cellular Damage

A 5% drop in weight may seem small, but it goes a long way in fighting inflammation.

Inflammation increases your risk of injury and disease and puts your immune system at risk.  By losing just 5% of your body weight you protect your cells and your long-term health.

5. Lightens the Load on Your Joints

Drop 5% of your body weight and you’re taking a load off of the joints that are most at risk for degeneration.

Your knees, hips and back carry the load of your whole body.

Cutting down on the weight that they carry, even by a little, will keep them working and healthy much longer and reduce your risk of arthritis pain.

So, hopefully you are starting to feel better about the fact that you've “only” lost 7 of those 40 pounds you are giving yourself  as a goal. 

You have nothing to do but celebrate and use that as momentum to release the next 7.....and then the next 7........and the next 7!  Your efforts are worth it. You are realizing you can do hard things. You are making yourself and your health a priority. Oh, and you are totally worth it. 

If you're ready to step into a full program that unlocks sustainable results that will teach you how to make goals and reach them, I'd love to invite you to join us for our next 12 week boot camp which starts October 6th. You will get everything you need to be the best version of you with your mindset, your fitness and your nutrition.  Our theme is Finish Strong because we want to be intentional about giving our best effort through the chaos of the last 90 days of the year. It takes 21 days to make a habit, but it takes 90 days for a transformation?  Are you ready? Click below to learn more!

http://bit.ly/Bodybyruthbootcampfinishstrong

Here's helping you love the life you live!

Hugs!

Ruth :)