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Benefits BY THE Pound It's no secret that healthy weight loss can do wonders for a person's well-being, but the sheer number of benefits may surprise you. Sure, you can fit into your favorite jeans from college, feel more comfortable at the beach and enjoy a little more room on an airplane, but weight loss can do far more for your health than you might expect. From your head to your toes, your shrinking body will go through changes that will benefit you physically and mentally. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that if a person who weighs 200 pounds were to lose just 10 pounds, it could go a long way in reducing chronic diseases associated with obesity. By simply losing some excess weight, your body and mind can profit in the following ways: PHYSICAL BENEFITS: Happy heart—Being overweight increases a person's risk of heart disease and stroke. Losing this weight reduces these risks, decreases your heart's workload and eliminates some of the dangerous fat that surrounds it. Jolly joints—Just 10 extra pounds can increase the force on your knees by 30 to 60 pounds with each step, according to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. Dropping weight can spare your joints from taking more punishment than they have to. MENTAL BENEFITS: Sleep soundly—While a good night's rest is important for physical health, it's absolutely crucial for your mental well-being. According to Harvard Medical School, losing weight can greatly improve, or even cure, sleep-related conditions such as sleep apnea. This will help you and your brain rest and operate at full potential. Mind over matter—Research done by Kent State University found that overweight people struggled more with memory challenges than people at a healthy weight. Maybe your mind feels the weight of those extra pounds, as well. To discover the ways in which you can lose weight, visit CHIStJoseph.org/ weightloss. Diet Drinks: Not What They Seem When it comes to your favorite beverage, "diet" does not necessarily mean healthy. Although artificial sweeteners found in these diet sodas reduce the calories you consume, compared to sugar-sweetened drinks, some research has linked drinking high amounts of diet soda to increased risk for chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Instead, try healthier drink options, such as: Water—If you don't enjoy the taste, try adding lemon or lime juice, or buying an infusion pitcher to add other fruit flavors or mint to your water. Low-fat or nonfat milk—If you can't have dairy, try almond or other milk alternatives. Unsweetened teas—Hot or cold, there are many types of tea available, including black teas, green teas and herbal options. Juice—Always look for 100 percent juice options that contain no added sugar. 14 CHI ST. JOSEPH HEALTH /// CHIStJoseph.org