CHALLENGE POST - What Are The Health Risks From Being Overweight???

[Skailark]

What Are The Health Risks From Being Overweight???
Weight too much may increase your risk for developing many health problems.  If you are overweight or obese, you may be at risk for:

type 2 diabetes
coronary heart disease and stroke
metabolic syndrome
certain types of cancer
sleep apnea
osteoarthritis
gallbladder disease
fatty liver disease
pregnancy complications

TEAM - Please feel free to share any of these conditions that you have that you want to improve OR those conditions that HAVE improved with weight loss.

[TrudieC]

I have watched my father suffer because of his weight for many years.  He had to go on disability when I was a teenager and never worked again.  He is morbidly obese and has osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diverticulitis and is borderline diabetic.  He refuses to change his eating habits.  I feel like I am watching him commit suicide.

My stepmother has also put on a lot of weight over the last 20 years and has high blood pressure and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  She also refuses to adjust her diet.  So sad.

I fight the weight battle and know that I will win.  I will never let myself get like my father.  My blood pressure is starting to rise and cholesterol is just a bit high so am working to get those down with diet and exercise.  

Elaine, I am so impressed at your success.  It definitely shows that just a little bit to start can make a huge difference.

[lucindamartinez]

Great news all around!  I am both pleased to know that so many are aware of the risks, as well as tickled of the wonderful health advantages that have been obtained on this journey.  

As for myself, last year I got quite the shock when I learned that my total cholesterol was 1375.  No typo folks, it was really 1375, even with repeating the test.  Within three months I had cut that by more than half to 634 and am looking forward to my next round of testing soon to see where I place now.  Definitely looking forward to the day when my tests are within normal limits and I can be removed from the two medications that I take to lower cholesterol.  ; )  

[Ranaesheart]

Elaine - Thank YOU for sharing your personal story and for providing such motivation for all of us!  YOU have proven to yourself and to us that determination and fortitude, combined with small changes, makes a WORLD of Difference!

Just look at YOU!!!  Down 100 lbs .. 5 mins of exercise to an Hour!  Whooo Hoooo .. YOU ROCK!  

Laughing with you and Helen .. there are many people that are needle phobic .. loll

You have diabetes and arthritis both on the run .. and just look at how healthy you are becoming!!!

At 330 lbs, I suffered from sleep apnea, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, knee/joint pain and urinary incontinence.  I am THRILLED to report that 150 lbs later, I do not have sleep apnea, my hypertension medication has been cut in half, my triglycerides - cholesterol - and ALL bloodwork are well within normal limits, my knee is most grateful to not carry around 150 lbs and my urinary incontinence is gone.

As Helen so kindly pointed out, my self-esteem has risen as well as my zest for life.  We not only give ourselves a gift physically, but emotionally as well.

Thanks for the post, Skailark .. most informative!  And most inspirational Elaine and Helen .. you are setting great examples for all of us to follow!  Keep up the great work and reap your rewards!

[Skailark]

Wow! what an inspiring story is your's!  Thaks for sharing and um so happy for you!
Way to go!!!

[elaine1961]

Thanks for that Helen! now the whole of the forum knows what a big baby i am! lol
That should read 156lbs not 158lbs

[Got_To_Do_It]

Elaine you have done fantastic -  making huge strides and are a perfect example of how being over weight can and does effect your health -  also you are a perfect example of how you can turn it around and have a positive influence on your health....

oh and if anyone doubts Elaines needle phobia (which was a big catalyst in making her change her life-  the though of injecting herself every day was not an option) then don't I can 1000000000000000% confirm her needle phobia is very real -  I witnessed it for myself this week!

[Got_To_Do_It]

Its not really medical as such but I think a HUGE risk from being overweight which has an impact on health is LOW or NONE EXISTANT self esteem... feeling of worth, validity for life...

[elaine1961]

i have been well over 300lbs for many years,then in march last year i topped 358lbs and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Its one of the things that i said will never happen to me, well it did. I was put on metformin twice a day, and was told i had a 95% chance of being insulin dependent, i was heart broken and im needle phobic.That was the start of a new way of life for me.I cut my food intake, i dont have anything now with added sugar and everything i eat at home is homemade. On the first of april i enrolled at the gym this was hard as i used a mobility scooter to go everywhere becouse of the arthritis, i rode my scooter to the gym and walked the tread mill 5 mins each day. 11 months on, i am now very near 100Lbs lighter, im on one metformin a dayand my chance of being insulin dependent is 0%, i no longer use my mobility scooter to go to the gym and i do a variety of exercices for about an hour. i also do aqua arobics twice a week. i still have arthritis but not as painfull. I still have another 140lbs to loses but im well on the way.on the thought of having those insulin injections keeps me on the right path.