Ashley Rowen
While we may feel as though our lives are pretty mundane, the truth is that humans are ever-evolving; we’re always experiencing different things that change who we are and alter our day-to-day lives. And while there’s no denying that things like losing a loved one, getting married, and starting a family are big friggin deals, few things are as transformative as losing weight—especially when it’s a substantial amount. And that’s because, for many, their weight defines how they feel about themselves and how others view them.
Our body image dictates how we interact with others, how confident we feel, and impacts how healthy we feel going about our day-to-day lives. So, while you’ve likely mentally prepared yourself for some of the changes synonymous with slimming down (i.e. buying new pants), there are a number of things—some good and some sort of strange—you may have never realized come along with a trimmer figure.
Read on to discover 30 who-knew consequences of shedding the pounds.
1. You May Get A Raise
Infuriating but true: Your boss may treat you better after you’ve slimmed down. Obese people, especially women, make about 2.5 percent less than their normal-weight co-workers, according to a study in Health Economics. While that may not sound too astronomical, that’s the difference of making $60,000 per year versus $61,500. That’s enough extra cash to go on a vacation or buy a fancy designer bag!
Dropping down to a healthy weight may also up your odds of landing a promotion, according to a recent University of Surrey and University of Oxford report. The psychologists behind the study discovered that weight and perceived attractiveness both play a big factor when it comes to whether or not someone will land their dream job or score a promotion. Basically, they have found that the heavier the person, the lower their odds. It gets worse: If you’re an overweight woman, your chances of career advancement are even lower than your male counterparts.
2. You May Say So Long To Seasonal Allergies
If your eyes used to get itchy every Spring once the flowers begin to bloom, your weight may have been to blame. That’s because being overweight can strain the adrenal glands and respiratory system, exacerbating asthma and allergy symptoms. Now that you’re trimmer, you may be able to ditch your inhaler and cut back on the seasonal pill popping—just don’t do so without speaking with your M.D. first!
3. Food Will Taste Better
Get this: After losing weight, your dinner may taste even better. According to a Stanford University study, overweight people have less taste sensitivity than their slimmer counterparts. The experts behind the report say this may be because taste buds become dulled with overuse. Another theory points to hormonal shifts that take place during weight loss, which may change the way taste receptors communicate with the brain. Crazy stuff!
Eat This! Tip
Try healthy foods you never enjoyed before. In your trimmer frame, they may become new favorites that can help you maintain your weight loss in the long run.
4. You May Be Able To Toss Your Meds
You already know that reaching a healthy weight can ward off things like heart disease and diabetes, but did you know that losing weight can also help improve the symptoms of your current conditions? That means you might be able to take lower doses of your current medications or stop taking certain meds altogether. (Which will save you tons of cash!) Check in with your M.D. and see what types of changes he or she thinks the slimmer you might benefit from.
5. Your Job Will Seem Easier
Slimmer bod, smarter brain? Maybe. Heavier men have poorer cognitive skills than trimmer men, according to a study published in the journal Neurology.
