Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. There are no Affiliate Links Included in this post. All thoughts are my own and no others. This post is now in the guidelines of the FTC. We all know it’s not good to be overweight. There are a number of different health risks associated with having a high BMI (body mass index), and health officials, the government, and figures of authority seem to constantly be telling us to be careful about what we’re eating and to exercise more.  Yet being told what to do doesn’t always work, and it’s a far better idea to learn about why you are being asked to do something. This way, you can come to your own conclusions, and you’re more likely to follow instructions because you know what the end result will be, and what will happen if you keep eating poorly and not exercising enough. With that in mind, here are some of the significant health risks associated with being overweight. Once you know about them, you can choose your own next step, whether that be continuing as you are, losing weight by yourself, or getting help such as a gastric sleeve revision.  Breathing Problems  Larger bodies mean that lungs have trouble expanding fully, and the muscles associated with helping you breathe may be restricted. In other words, those who are overweight or obese will have difficulty breathing because they can’t take in enough oxygen. This will leave them breathless even after doing simple things such as climbing the stairs.  Image from Pixabay Although being overweight won’t cause conditions such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or asthma, it will exacerbate them, so you could feel a lot more unwell than you would if you were lighter.  Fatty Liver Disease  When you think of gaining weight, you might not immediately think of your internal organs, if at all. However, your organs can become obese, like any other area of the body, and your liver is at most risk. Fat can build up within the liver and can cause scars to form. This is known as cirrhosis which is more commonly associated with those who drink too much alcohol but is also often found in obese people. Eventually, this condition can cause the liver to shut down entirely.  Doctors are studying this condition as they don’t yet know why the liver is so susceptible. This means there is no cure, and in order to avoid it, it is best to lose weight.  Osteoarthritis  Osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition that, in the worse cases, makes it impossible to walk or even move without pain. Yet even the ‘minor’ versions of this disease are incredibly painful, and doing everyday tasks such as using a knife and fork, typing on a computer, cooking, or washing yourself might become complicated and, over time, impossible.  When you are overweight, you are putting more strain on your joints and the cartilage (cartilage protects the ends of the bones). By losing just five percent of your overall body fat, you will relieve a lot of stress that is currently happening. Regular exercise, eating more healthily, and, if required, gastric band surgery will all help you to live a longer, more fulfilling life.  Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. There are no affiliate links included in this post. All thoughts are my own and no others. This post is now in the guidelines of the FTC.