Health & Wellness

The benefits of losing 10% of your body weight

Losing just 10% of your body means lots of great news in regards to your health.
Published 2 August 2016

Health benefits of losing body weight


Aside from looking better and feeling more energetic, there are significant health benefits, too! You can’t always see or feel them, but they are just important as the numbers on the scale. If you're ready to lose 10% of your body weight, learn how the WeightWatchers weight loss program can help.


Health benefits of weight loss


  • Lowers your body’s cholesterol levels
  • Can improve blood sugar control
  • Reduces aches and pains
  • Improves mobility
  • Can improve your breathing
  • Helps you to sleep better
  • Reduces the risk of sleep apnoea
  • Helps prevent angina – chest pain caused by decreased oxygen to the heart.
  • Decreased your risk of sudden death from heart disease or stroke
  • May stop the need for regular medication
  • Reduces the risk of certain cancers


Reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes


For most people 5% is enough to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Your weight-loss success may also mean that you help to lower your blood pressure. There are many other health benefits, too – research has shown that a loss of 5–10% of your starting body weight can make a real difference. Your emotional health will also benefit. People who have lost 5-10% of their body weight report improvements in quality of life, a noticeable reduction in depression symptoms, increased energy, plus a more positive attitude to life.


Slow weight loss is best for keeping it off


When it comes to weight loss, some people are unduly hard on themselves. They feel that they won’t be truly happy until they have lost three or four times the amount necessary to start seeing a difference. The trick is to be realistic about your weight-loss goals and how long it will take to achieve them. Don’t discount the small losses you’ve accomplished either – they are very significant and should be used to spur you on. Trying to lose too much too quickly can undermine your efforts and work against you, and is more likely to result in your weight yo-yoing, which is detrimental to your progress.


Set yourself small weight loss goals


Breaking your weight-loss journey into small, manageable goals of 5–10% may help. If you have a lot of weight to lose, reaching your goal weight may seem like a daunting task, but having a set of measurable targets will help you to stay on track and keep you focused. As you achieve each milestone or goal, it will give you that all-important momentum to keep going and achieve your goal weight. Ready to take the first step? Calculate your BMI.