Working out is hard. Exercise makes you sweaty, sore and smelly. It takes your time and commitment to see results. So, why do it? Why not sit back, get fat and be happy and lazy for the rest of your life? A little extra weight can’t be that bad, can it? Or can it? Here’s the real risks of having excess body fat you’re carrying around.
Being overweight isn’t fun. You don’t feel great or enjoy the way you look. Clothes don’t fit, and you shy away from any occasion where you have to show a little skin.
Of course, you already know that.
But did you know, you pay a higher price than just cosmetic costs for that excess body fat?
Here are five ways excess body fat ruins your health:
Extra Fat Puts Stress on Your Joints
Your body can only handle a certain amount of weight. When you carry excessive amounts of body fat and not enough muscle, all that extra stress falls on your joints. Mainly, on your hips and knees. It’s like trying to prop up a car with a tv stand… Sooner or later, something is going to give. Your back also feels the pressure. If you’ve ever been overweight, I’m sure you know the aches and pains I’m referring to. It can make life miserable, and complicate the simplest of daily tasks.
Your Heart Works Overtime
Your heart feels it when you’re overweight. The usual offenders are high cholesterol, clogged arteries, and increase in blood pressure. But here’s a shocking fact you may not know. You need an extra mile of blood vessels to support just one pound of extra body fat according to the Obesity Action Coalition and a study conducted by Harvard Professor Judah Folkman. Think about all the additional work your heart has to do if you’re 20, 40 or 100 pounds heavier than you should be…
Obesity Increases Your Risk of Disease
Let’s be direct. If you’re overweight or obese, you’re at an increased risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Some Cancers
These risks are according to a report from the Center for Disease Control on the health effects of obesity. And that’s not even the whole list. Life itself is all the reason you need to shred all that excess body fat.
Excess Body Fat Impacts Your Sleep
Obesity and excess body fat can lead to poor sleep due to body aches and discomfort. But, there are also more severe effects. According to the same report from the CDC, being overweight can lead to an increased risk of sleep apnea and difficulty breathing. That’s some pretty serious stuff when you start talking about not breathing in your sleep. At a minimum, you’re not sleeping well. And when you don’t sleep, you don’t feel like exercising and you tend to eat more. It’s a hellacious cycle.
Mental Health
The impact of excess body fat can go beyond physical issues. Carrying around extra body fat can impact your mental health as well. According to the American Psychological Association, obesity and depression are often linked. Which one causes the other is unclear, but the two usually come hand-in-hand. At a basic level, when you’re overweight, you aren’t happy about your image. You’re more likely to have low self-esteem and a lack of body satisfaction. You may also use eating as a coping mechanism for a variety of feelings, including stress and feelings of sadness.
And Those are the Real Risks of Excess Body Fat
So, if you think that all the sweat, time and effort it takes to torch your excess body fat isn’t worth it… it’s time to take another look. Carrying around excess weight is much riskier than a bad shopping experience. Clear out at least 30 minutes each day so you can avoid the horrifying risks of being overweight.