What Happens To Your Heart When You Lose Weight- Heart Health Month

4 Positive Effects Of Weight Loss On Your Heart

Lower Blood Pressure

If you are overweight, your heart has to work extra hard to pump blood through your body. The harder your heart pumps, the higher your blood pressure. This can put you at risk for a heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and heart disease. Do at least 30 minutes of exercise each day and eat a balanced, nutritious diet with low sodium to help improve your blood pressure. 

Lower Cholesterol

Being overweight does not necessarily mean that your cholesterol levels are high. A lot of other factors can contribute to high cholesterol such as genes, hormones, and other environmental circumstances. However, if you are overweight and eat a poor diet filled with processed foods, baked goods, and fast food, you could be at higher risk. Losing weight can help lower your cholesterol and balance the fats in your bloodstream, therefore, improving your chances of avoiding heart problems.

Reduce Your Risk Of Getting Diabetes And Blood Clots

There is a strong connection between obesity and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes elevates your blood sugar levels putting you at risk for heart attacks and strokes. Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet will help manage your blood sugar levels and will help your heart function normally. Sometimes your blood can also slow down and can form clots. Healthy weight and lower blood pressure generally mean fewer blood clots so losing weight will reduce the risk of a blood clot forming and breaking away to travel to your heart, lungs, or brain. 

Exercises For Heart Health

To improve your heart health, you should be incorporating aerobic exercises with strength training exercises. Aerobic exercises (cardio) will get your heart rate up to strengthen your heart and burn off fat. Strength training will also work to help you lose weight while also building up strength in your body. 

Common Strength Training Exercises:

• Squats
• Hip thrusts
• Pull-ups
• Lunges
• Chest press
• Common Aerobic Exercises:
• Swimming
• Running
• Cycling
• Walking
• HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)

Improve Your Heart Health With Calgary’s Best Weight Loss Coaches

Your heart is a muscle and it gets stronger and healthier the more active you are. It is never too late to start leading an active lifestyle no matter your age or starting point. Set small goals such as going for a 20-minute walk every day for yourself to help you lose weight and improve your fitness. Also, make the effort to avoid fast food and instead opt for balanced meals that contain fruits and veggies. To help motivate you to take care of your health and improve your fitness, hire a personal trainer who can help you reach your goals and give you the motivation to exercise regularly.

At Jensen Fitness, our personal training, fitness coaching, and weight loss programs will provide you with all of the support you need to achieve your personal goals while helping you sustain your new healthy habits for the long term. To start your weight loss or fitness journey, contact our team of personal trainers in SE Calgary by calling 1-403-200-0199 or by filling out our online contact form.

FAQ

Q: What food should I avoid to help me improve my heart health?
A: Avoid sodium-rich foods, processed foods, and fatty foods that can contribute to higher blood pressure and weight gain. Try to incorporate fruits and veggies into every meal you have, and opt for snacking on healthy items throughout the day such as carrots, nuts, and whole grains. 

Q: Is it possible to strengthen my heart at any age?
A: Your heart is a muscle and can therefore be exercised no matter what age you are. You are always able to improve the health of your heart through exercise and a healthy diet. 

Q: How often should I work with a personal trainer?
A: This will depend on the time you have, your goals, and your budget. It is common to work with a personal trainer 2-3 times per week, however, you can work with your trainer as much or as little as you want.