Losing half a stone is a goal most of us wish to achieve. It is a realistic target and will almost certainly bring about a confidence boost and smaller jeans size.
Apart from appearances, experts believe losing as little as seven pounds could greatly improve physical health. Speaking to The Times, researcher and teaching fellow in nutrition Duane Mellor said shedding an excess of half a stone provides instant advantages to most folks, reports Wales Online. "There can be a big improvement to metabolic health and joint health and reduced risk of disease with relatively small amounts of weight loss", said Mellor.
He continued: "If you can lose half a stone instead of gaining it in your forties to sixties, then your longevity prospects soar."Roy Taylor, a professor of medicine and metabolism at Newcastle University, said reduced blood fats and cholesterol levels, better sleep patterns and less back pain are some of the benefits that come with initial modest weight loss.Overweight participants in his studies reported huge life improvements after shedding their first 7lbs.Taylor said: "There were mood improvements and they reported being more mobile and energetic, better able to bound upstairs and generally feel more positive about life."Here are 10 amazing benefits of losing half a stone.
According to the NHS, excess weight is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea, which causes breathing to stop and start as you sleep., most often when people sleep on their backs.