UNEXPECTED HEALTH BENEFITS - Weight Loss Part 19

Having just completed yet another exhausting, but satisfying, 5 minute HIIT workout I started thinking about the health benefits I've noticed since losing ten stone and regaining a normal level of fitness.

Of course, there's the obvious: My energy levels are up in general, I can walk faster, I am more flexible, I have more stamina, I can walk and talk easily, I can go up the stairs without getting out of breath, and getting hot and sweaty takes a lot more effort than it used to!

But I've noticed a few other, less obvious things. Some significant health improvements that I didn't fully expect.

I've mentioned suffering from lower back and knee pain several times before.

I do occasionally still get some lower back pain, but it doesn't last long and is usually caused by sitting at my desk too long. I cannot, however, remember the last time I had to take pain killers for my back. This is a BIG deal!

So why has my back pain improved so much? When you're obese it can result in excess pressure on your spine, causing lower back pain. Standing, or just generally being on your feet for long periods of time puts even more strain on your spine. Bar shifts often resulted in me doing back stretches and taking pain killers to get through the night. Thankfully, this seems to now be a thing of the past!

So, what about my knees? They would often get sore and stairs could be an issue. Frequently, when walking down a flight of stairs, one knee (it alternated) would get so sore when I bent it that I would have to go down the stairs one step at a time to avoid bending that knee and hold onto the banister. Sometimes both knees would go, which made things really difficult and painful!

This happened in Paris when I was going down a very steep, long alley of steps from Montmartre. I was about a third of the way down when it happened, and it was in both knees. I was in agony and close to tears, and had to stop several times on the way down. There were also parts where there was no banister and I had to hold onto the wall of the building, which was not easy. Not an experience I wish to repeat!

I can't remember the last time I suffered from sore knees, or had any difficulties with my knees in general. This, has resulted in finding a freedom I didn't realise I was lacking!

There is a third, and very unexpected, health benefit that I've found from losing weight. My very regular severe headaches, or migraines, seem to have disappeared. I used to think that they were caused by my sensitivity to light, atmospheric pressure and high levels of humidity. I have realised however, that although these were contributing factors, it seems they were not the main cause.

It turns out that being overweight may increase your migraine risk. Like my knee pain, I can't remember the last time I suffered from a severe headache. I say severe because ordinary paracetamol never ever had any effect, and my headaches would only get worse.

All three of these things, which I simply accepted as something I couldn't do anything about, have improved beyond any expectations. I knew my back and knees would slowly improve, but I did not expect this extent. The disappearance of my headaches, however, were a very unexpected, but welcome bonus!

I'm pretty sure this also has a lot to do with the change in my diet as well. Eating more vegetables and lean proteins than before has definitely helped. But greatly reducing my sugar and carb intake, and eating less processed foods is likely the biggest contributing factor.

I imagine my weight loss and improved fitness has resulted in other health benefits. Although I am yet to notice what they might be. Either way, the three things that caused me the greatest discomfort are all but gone!

*DISCLAIMER: Just a wee reminder that this is what has worked for me. There's no guarantee that it will work for everyone as we are all different. I’m not a professional!