I need a boost right now so I hope people can post the great health benefits they've gotten from losing even a small amount of weight. I know they're out there!!
Unfortunately, my body is betraying me lately--my cholesterol has gone down 11 pts. since I last had it checked, a good thing, but it's still too high at 232, with the LDL still above normal. I wasn't allowed to donate blood last week because my iron was too low, lower than the time before that when it was on the absolutely borderline number. Still have reflux because I still have a hiatl hernia. And the really bad one is that my blood glucose level was 97, which is on the high side of normal (99 is the cutoff according to my physician--fasting blood draw in the lab, not a finger stick). That one scares the heck out of me because my Dad has diabetes, and I've seen all the problems he's had, taken care of his ulcers, etc. On the plus side, my blood pressure is darn low, but then even at my heaviest it was normal.
Sorry if this was a downer--I needed to vent. I know there are people on this forum who've had some remarkable health changes, and I hope to gain some inspiration from their stories.
What health benefits I HAVE NOT noticed would be a much shorter list!
I feel better all the way around. I've made only a half a**ed attempt to lose weight for a few months now. In that short amount of time I could tell a huge difference in my mood, energy level, self-esteem - and that was eating well and exercising half the time! I can't imagine the dump I would be in if I really, really gave up.
Since I've gotten back on track all of those things have improved and it has only been a WEEK! Plus, overall, I can still remember how I felt at 214 pounds. I was miserable. My feet and back hurt all of the time, I'd sweat in the dead of winter, I was lazy, standing was a chore, I didn't sleep well. All that was bad enough - nevermind the health problems (cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc.) that could have KILLED me.
And remember when you first started to lose weight? Remember that feeling of accomplishment. I for one knew that if I could do THIS I could do ANYTHING - and I like that feeling.
My cholesterol has gone down from 239 to 214 just eating oatmeal every morning, before I even tried losing weight. Now I'm trying to lose weight because my sugar level was up to 107, and I'm being retested in another couple of months. My mom got diabetes later in life from bad eating habits, and I certainly don't want to follow in those steps!
I don't know what test you had done for blood glucose level, but normal ranges for fasting finger-stick blood sugar is from 60 -110mg/dL. Most physicians wouldn't worry until you are consistently at or higher than 120.
Let's see:
- no more snoring
- knee doesn't hurt/buckle under me going up stairs
- I walk/run up stairs!
- lower blood pressure! (119/83 the other day)
- no naps needed every evening
I'm sure there's more, but that's what popped in my head!
Fortunately, I don't have any measurable health issues like blood pressure or blood sugar. I do notice more strength, especially in the past two weeks of going to the gym regularly.
My feet seem to be hurting less than they were a couple weeks back. Even though I haven't lost very much yet, maybe it has been enough to start helping.
Let me share what happens if you let it come back as I foolishly did.
My blood glucose is now running 114 fasting. It was 98, right where the dr. wanted it.
I get winded on just a short walk. I'd been spending an hour at a time on the treadmill.
I truly HURT all over, from my shoulders to my hands, down my spine, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. I got to the point I could barely walk in just about 5 months.
Can you tell I'm back on track? It's definitely worth it.
I haven't had my cholesterol checked but will soon. I know that my blood pressure is good (120/70) but I never really had a problem with that even when I was heavier. Sometimes it would run closer to borderline high if I was stressed. I have a lot less stress now because I feel so much better. I used to have a problem with lactose intolerance and since I started WW in November, I don't have that problem anymore and I still drink milk and eat ice cream. Whatever changed that is a good thing!! I used to avoid the steps up to the hospital where I work - they are very steep and there is a ton of them and then when they stop it is still a very steep walk up the sidewalk. Now I take them every day and am not ready to keel over when I get to the top.
I've always been a high energy person, but I have way more energy than before. I also used to get hot easily when doing housework, etc. and now I'm cold most of the time. I can clean my house with long sleeves on and not break a sweat. Of course I still sweat when exercising.
When I'd been good my bg went from 148 to 98. My cholesterol dropped down to a very normal reading. I had energy to do things, which meant I laughed a lot more. I stopped hurting. DH and I spent more time doing things together.
It was great to hear the comments of people who hadn't seen me in a few months at a major event. I hadn't been complimented that much or sincerely in 30 years!
What health benefits have you noticed?
