Losing weight is often seen as a superficial goal, something we do to look better in a bathing suit or to fit smaller dress sizes. In reality, our weight is a matter of life and death, literally. The renowned Framingham Heart Study has shown that overweight people lose around three years of their lives and obese people as much as seven years. This means that the impact of obesity on our life expectancy is significant and should not be underestimated.

It’s easy to get caught up in societal pressures to be slim and prioritize looks over health, but it’s important to remember that our weight affects much more than our looks. It can have serious consequences for our overall health and well-being. Obesity is linked to a number of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even certain types of cancer. Not only do these diseases shorten our life expectancy, they also reduce the quality of the years we have left.

It’s time to rethink the way we think about weight loss. Instead of just focusing on looks, let’s see it as a way to improve our health and prolong our lives. Nobody wants to give up those precious last years of life, and we must do everything we can to live long and healthy lives.

That doesn’t mean we can’t keep striving to look better; there’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel confident. However, it is important to keep the big picture in mind and prioritize our health above all else. Viewing weight loss as a matter of life and death makes it easier for us to make the necessary lifestyle changes and stay motivated to maintain a healthy weight.

So the next time you think about starting a weight loss plan, think of the big picture. It’s not just about how you look, it’s also about improving your health, extending your life expectancy and improving the quality of your remaining years. When you view your weight as a matter of life and death, you will be more willing to make the changes that really matter and maintain a healthy lifestyle.