Lose Weight, Gain Energy

Losing weight – especially large amounts made possible by weight loss surgery – can bring you more benefits than fitting into a new pair of smaller jeans. 

Weight loss surgery not only improves your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, it also changes how your body uses energy, according to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

Dropping extra weight will make it easier to move around, so you’ll have more energy to get up and get going, making it easier to lose more weight. It’s a life cycle you won’t want to stop, suggests University of Georgia researchers. They found overwhelming evidence that regular exercise plays a significant role in increasing energy levels and reducing fatigue. “Sedentary people who completed a regular exercise program reported improved fatigue compared to groups that did not exercise,” they reported. “It’s a very consistent effect.” 

What results can you expect to see? It’s well documented that if you add more exercise into your day, you’ll:

• Sleep better: Non-exercisers are the sleepiest and have the highest risk for sleep apnea, says the National Sleep Foundation
• Help prevent a wide range of health problems
• Improve your mood. "Usually within five minutes after moderate exercise, you get a mood-enhancement effect,” reports the American Psychological Association
• Become even more energetic

Losing weight also improves your oxygen efficiency. Because your body can use oxygen more effectively, you won’t get out of breath so easily while climbing stairs or playing tag with your kids.

With newfound energy, you can do more of the things that matter most to you. Bring yourself full circle and use that energy to continue building an active life. Try new ways to keep moving every day, such as:

• Avoid elevators and always use the stairs
• Bike to work
• Cut your lunchbreak in half, using part of the time to eat and the rest to go for a walk
• Instead of watching your kids’ practice or game from the sidelines, find a friend and walk around the field 
• Park farther away at the grocery store 
• Play an active video game with your kids
• Turn down a movie date in favor of a hike
• Walk a lap around the grocery store or mall before picking up what you need
• Walk your kids to school

You’ll be happy you did, says Harvard researchers. “It may seem too good to be true, but hundreds of studies demonstrate that exercise helps you feel better and live longer.” Whatever you decide to do with your additional energy, make sure to value it as one more improvement to your life — and one more gift to yourself.

For more information about losing weight and gaining more energy, talk with your doctor or visit Premier Weight Loss Solutions to learn more.