6 Unexpected Benefits of Weight Loss

Many start their weight loss journey in hopes of improving their self-esteem and physical health and appearance. And while weight loss can lead to benefits such as having a more positive body image and more room in your favorite jeans, there are also several unexpected benefits of weight loss. Every weight loss journey is unique, but the benefits are not. If you’re looking to not only lose weight but improve your overall quality of life, here are six surprising weight loss benefits you can look forward to.

More Than Physical Improvements

Oftentimes, our physical results end up becoming the main point of discussion when it comes to weight loss. And while those improvements are certainly worth celebrating, there are also numerous mental benefits to shedding excess weight. Some of these benefits include:

• Improved Memory: Do you find that you have a hard time remembering people’s names or recognizing faces? Well, weight loss can help with that. One side effect of excess weight, that is not often discussed, is it can impact our neurocognitive abilities. However, studies have found that weight loss can alter brain activity, improving our memorization abilities, as well as our ability to encode information and store new memories.
• Positive Self-Image: Losing weight and achieving other health-related goals can provide a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride. Our self-esteem also improves as we begin seeing results, feeling stronger, and getting recognition for our hard work in social settings.
• Improved Emotional Health: Weight loss can help foster a more positive outlook on life and lead to a generally better quality of life, which can help decrease feelings of depression, fear, and anxiety.

The physical perks of weight loss are great, make no mistake. However, it’s also just as important to recognize the mental benefits. Not only to stay motivated and focused but so you can feel even better when you crush all your health and fitness goals.

Take Better Care of Your Skin

While improving the condition of your skin may be the last thing you’re worried about, it is another unexpected benefit to weight loss. Our diet and our skin’s health, more specifically our skin renewal cycle, is interlinked. This means that consuming a lot of things such as fried foods, sugar, and even alcohol can have an impact on the health of our skin. But how?

When done properly, weight loss isn’t solely about limiting certain “unhealthy” foods. Most health experts will tell you healthy weight loss also involves adding more essential nutrients and vitamins to your diet. This aspect of weight loss — the more fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts in your diet — is what can give a much-needed boost to your skin’s health and vitality. Put another way, weight loss can benefit you from the inside out.

Have a New Form of Stress Relief

It’s easy to roll your eyes whenever you overhear someone claiming the gym as their “happy place.” Don’t write that off too quickly, though. It’s been observed that engaging in activities such as exercise or other physical activity can help break up the circular thoughts and worries that cause stress. So while the gym doesn’t necessarily need to be a sanctuary, exercising can be a great form of stress relief, particularly if you have a lot on your plate at work or have an important deadline approaching.

You also aren’t confined to a gym for stress-relieving activities. Hiking, swimming, and biking are great physical activities that can help you blow off steam and lose weight. Physical activity also releases endorphins, so you’ll replace all that stress and worry with more positive, uplifting feelings and thoughts. At the end of the day, it also just feels therapeutic to push through a challenging workout and come out on the other end feeling like a warrior.  

Spice Things Up in the Bedroom

A surprise that those who have lost weight reported having is improved sexual activity and increased drive. As reported by experts at the JAMA network, an international peer-reviewed general medical journal, patients noted presurgical frustration before receiving Bariatric surgery and after were more likely to experience increased sexual drive. Considering the various mental benefits of weight loss, like improved self-esteem, it isn’t too surprising that people can bring those changes to the bedroom. It also is worth keeping in mind that weight loss typically leads to general improved physical performance, ability, and stamina. If anything, weight loss can help make your sex life less strenuous on your body.

Gain a Different Dining Experience

It may come as a surprise but researchers have discovered that excessive weight can decrease our sensitivity to flavors in food. While there isn’t quite a solid answer as to why this happens, a few theories are:

• The tongue’s taste buds become dulled from overuse; OR
• Our hormones shift after significant weight loss, which alters how our taste receptors communicate with the brain.

Our palate also naturally changes as our diet does. You may discover that you enjoy certain vegetables now that you consume less sugar. Regardless of why this happens though, enjoying more intense and delicious flavors each mealtime is certainly unexpected and welcomed benefit of weight loss.

Have More Money

It may sound cliche but yes, weight loss can even help you save money. Unfortunately, obesity doesn’t only affect our health, it can also put a strain on our finances. While every body is different, excessive weight is known to cause things like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Treating these health conditions can get extremely expensive. Medications, doctor visits, unexpected hospital stays can all add up quickly.

While losing weight may not be a catch-all for every health concern you have, it certainly does improve things. Less medication and doctor visits mean more money in your pocket. There is also the fact that changing your lifestyle to lose excessive weight often involves generally eating less. Consuming less food means having to buy fewer groceries and takeout, which means more money for you to spend on other things. 

No one will argue that it feels great being able to fit into your clothes better and walk around with a bit more confidence. However, weight loss offers so much more than only those benefits. From improved memory to better-looking skin to a more fulfilling sex life, there are numerous, unexpected ways shedding excess weight can positively affect your life.