If you’ve ever felt frustrated or defeated because you can’t lose weight or get fit, you’re not alone. Millions of people try to shed pounds and increase their fitness every year, but not everyone succeeds. The unfortunate truth is that being overweight or unfit comes with some serious downsides. In addition to being more prone to common diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, carrying excess weight and not exercising regularly will have a negative impact on your overall quality of life as you get older. Avoiding the truth about your weight and fitness has serious consequences for your physical health, your self-confidence, and even your future relationships with partners, friends, and family members. To help you face the music now instead of later, here are some harsh truths about being overweight or unfit that you don’t want to hear—but need to know.

You will feel worse about yourself every day.

Feeling beautiful is a state of mind—but being overweight or unfit has a way of damaging your feelings about your body and yourself as a whole. The more you weigh and the less fit you are, the more critical you’ll be of your appearance. And the more you obsess over what you don’t like about your looks, the more likely you are to develop an unhealthy obsession with food and weight loss. A study published in the Journal of Health Psychology found that as women’s weight increased, so did their level of obsession with food and weight loss. This unhealthy obsession with your looks can lead you to make poor choices, like abusing diet pills, skipping meals, or participating in extreme fad diets that aren’t healthy or sustainable.

You will have a harder time breathing and exercising.

Many people who are overweight or obese have trouble taking in enough oxygen and getting the physical benefits of exercise thanks to a condition called obesity hypoventilation. Obesity hypoventilation is a condition in which excess weight makes it harder for you to breathe deeply, which can make exercise more of a chore and leave you breathless. Studies have found that obesity hypoventilation is more common in men and people who are morbidly obese. In addition to potentially making your favorite activities less enjoyable, obesity hypoventilation can also lead to sleep apnea, a condition in which your breathing is interrupted when you sleep. Sleep apnea can lead to higher rates of heart disease and stroke, as well as an increased risk for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

You’ll be more likely to get sick and stay sick.

Being overweight or unfit doesn’t just make you feel bad—it makes you more likely to get sick and stay sick. Research published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health found that each kilogram (2.2 pounds) of excess weight increases your risk of contracting a viral illness by 5.5 percent. When you contract a virus, like the common cold, it can put you out of commission for several days. But when you’re overweight or obese, your body has to work harder to fight off viruses, which can make you sick longer.

People won’t want to be around you—and that might cost you your closest relationships.

A study published in the journal Personal Relationships found that when people were asked to describe their ideal partner, they didn’t list someone with a high body mass index (BMI). Researchers followed up with the participants a year later, and they found that people who’d wanted to date partners with a low BMI were in relationships with people who had a low BMI. People who’d wanted to date partners with a high BMI were still single a year later. In other words, people want to be around people who inspire feelings of health and vitality—not people who make them feel unhealthy and lethargic just by being nearby.

The only way out is through sweat and discipline.

Most people who are overweight or obese have tried to lose weight before. And while it’s true that some people are genetically predisposed to be heavier, it’s also true that anyone can become more fit and lose weight by following an exercise routine and eating a healthy, balanced diet. Diet and exercise aren’t quick fixes, but they are effective ways to lose weight and reduce your risk of serious health problems. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Obesity found that diet and exercise are the most effective ways to shed pounds, decrease your BMI, and reduce your risk of disease.

Bottom line

Obesity is the most pressing health issue of our time. It’s estimated that two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and this has cost our country dearly. Obesity is linked to a slew of health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and a shorter lifespan. If you’re overweight or obese, know that you’re not alone. Millions of people are in the same boat, and it’s time for us all to recognize the gravity of the situation. If you feel like you’re struggling with your weight, it’s never too late to make changes. Start by setting attainable goals for yourself, like eating one more salad a week or going for a 15-minute walk after work every day. Once you start making small changes for the better, you’ll find that it’s easier to keep going.

DISCLAIMER

All the content on this blog, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, are solely to provide information only. Any information/statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should NOT be a substitute for health and medical advice that can be provided by your own physician/medical doctor.  We at Nano Singapore Shop, encourage you to consult a doctor before making any health or diet changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.