Whether It's 2 lbs or 20, Every Little Bit of Weight Loss Counts!

Losing weight is no easy task, but if you’re looking for reasons to lose even a pound or two – you’ll find the motivation here. Read below to see how even small amounts of weight loss can contribute to significant, life changing health benefits.

Lose 2 lbs – to ward off diabetes. Overweight and obesity lead to improperly metabolized blood sugars which can contribute to type two diabetes. In a study conducted by researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health, investigators found that for every 1% of weight loss (about 2 lbs) obese subject’s risk of diabetes decreased 16%. For minimal effort, that’s a significant reward.

Lose 10 lbs – to save your joints. When a group of 150-lb women shed 10 lbs from their frames, they cut their risk of knee pain by half. The American College of Physicians reported that each pound of excess weight translated to 3-6 lbs of increased weight on the knees when walking or jogging – a force joints cannot happily endure. Losing weight, even a small amount, can prevent osteoarthritis and reduce aches and pains.

Lose 15 lbs – to help your heart. Overweight people who lost 15 or more pounds reduced their risk of hypertension by 20-30%. Weight loss typically lowers pressure within the blood vessels which consequently decreases strain on the heart.

Lose 20 lbs – to lower your breast cancer risk. Overweight women who lost 20 lbs lowered their risk of breast cancer by nearly 20%. Fat cells produce excess estrogen which might play a role in the proliferation of cancer cells. Although more research is in the works, significant weight loss seems to contribute to reduced risk of breast cancer.