What Are the Health Benefits of Losing 25 Pounds?

If you are overweight or obese, the excess fat on your body can increase your risk of developing a number of serious health conditions. Losing as little as 5 percent or 10 percent of your body weight can have a significant impact on your overall health. If your goal is to lose 25 pounds, knowing the health benefits that your weight loss will bring can serve as a great source of motivation.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Weight loss can have a significant impact on the heart and circulatory system. By losing 25 pounds you will reduce your risk of developing coronary artery disease and will have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Your risk reduction depends largely on the number of risk factors you have, though risk factors such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome are reduced as well when you lose weight. This in turn can reduce your risk of a heart attack and other serious cardiovascular problems.

Type 2 Diabetes

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Overweight and obese individuals have a significantly higher chance of developing Type 2 diabetes than those with healthy body weight. Losing weight lowers blood sugar levels and makes the body's use of insulin more efficient, two factors that can significantly reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. By losing 25 pounds, you could reduce your chance of developing Type 2 diabetes by up to 2.5 percent or more.

Gallstones

Gallstones can occur when excess cholesterol is excreted by your liver, causing more cholesterol to be present than the bile in the gallbladder can dissolve. This cholesterol can stick together with other components, forming hardened yellow stones that clog the gallbladder. Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for developing these cholesterol gallstones, so losing 25 pounds reduces your risk of them forming.

Cancer Risk

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Certain types of cancer such as breast cancer and cancers of the esophagus, kidneys and colon have been linked to obesity. Studies such as a 2007 study compiled by the National Cancer Institute have found that as many as 4 percent of cancer cases in men and 7 percent of cancer cases in women may have obesity as a primary factor. Losing 25 pounds or more can reduce the risk of developing some of these cancers.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition characterized by the overproduction of androgen hormones in a woman's body and the formation of fluid-filled cysts in the ovaries. Though a number of factors, including genetics, can influence whether a woman develops polycystic ovary syndrome, research funded by organizations such as the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists found that many women with the condition are overweight or obese. Losing weight can help manage the condition by normalizing hormone levels.

Breathing Problems

If you are significantly overweight or obese, the extra weight that you carry can cause breathing problems by making it harder for air to pass through the windpipe and inflate the lungs. Losing weight reduces the amount of fat surrounding the esophagus, lungs and diaphragm, eliminating some or all of the breathing difficulties you may experience.

Increased Energy and Focus

As you lose weight, you'll find that you have more energy and improved mental focus. You may also develop a more positive outlook and a decreased risk of depression. This is in large part due to the balancing of hormones and the more efficient use of sugar. Reaching your goal of losing 25 pounds can also give you a sense of accomplishment that results in higher self-esteem and a greater sense of self worth.

Losing Weight Safely

Losing weight too quickly can be unhealthy and lead to a variety of problems. See your doctor for a physical first. Break your weight loss goal into smaller increments to serve as milestones to make losing the weight seem less daunting. Combine a reduced-calorie diet with exercise to lose weight while developing muscle and increasing your overall metabolic rate.