We have all heard it a million times: excess weight is (very, very) bad for our overall health. If you browse this site you’ll learn all about the negative effects of obesity and then some. Yet, despite the warnings, many of us don’t take the necessary steps to actively control our weight.
Don’t get us wrong. We know why that is. Changing behavior and breaking routine is one of the most difficult things a person can do. But there are some unmistakable moments in life that send a clear message that change is very much needed in order to avoid dire consequences. Here are some common moments that might strike a chord with you.
1) Your Doctor Tells You Your Weight Is A Health Risk
Improving health is your medical provider’s number priority. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol, it is very likely that your weight is a primary source of the problem. This is the most serious sign that it’s time to change.
2) Your Body Just Can’t Keep Up
Our bodies constantly send us messages with information about our health. Do you feel tired all the time? Are you winded easily playing with your children or going up the stairs? These uncomfortable feelings are your body’s way of telling you something is up. Obese men and women are much more likely to experience fatigue for a number of reasons. Carrying extra weight taxes the body. Also, obese people have higher risks of developing health conditions such as diabetes and sleep apnea, where fatigue is a common symptom.
3) Your Clothes Don’t Fit Right
This one is a sneaky sign because you may not feel it all at once. But as you gain weight, you may gradually find yourself taking deeper breaths to pull on those jeans, or tugging extra hard at your shirt to make sure it stays tucked in. If the trend continues, you will find yourself having to buy new clothes in larger sizes (this moment of truth may be what the frowny face emoji was invented for).
4) You Have Back or Joint Pain
Your back flares up when you bend down to pick something up. Or maybe your knee or hip constantly aches from walking. Chronic back or joint pain can make simple tasks feel unbearable. Joint and nerve conditions that cause pain such as arthritis and fibromyalgia are more common in people who are overweight or obese. Carrying excess weight, especially in your abdomen, pushes your center of gravity forward, putting a huge strain on the muscles in your lower back, which result in the aches in pains you feel everyday.
If you find yourself experiencing one or more of these moments and do not follow through with a substantive weight loss program, you may find yourself in a pretty bad spot. But if you take the warnings seriously, there are plenty of ways to get started, including talking to your doctor about a plan tailor made for your needs. Trust us, you’ll be thrilled never to experience one of these “moments of truth” again!
