What Happens to Your Body After Losing 10 Pounds

To some people, losing 10 pounds is everything. Congrats on climbing that hill and give yourself a big, warm, fuzzy bear hug. You’ve reached your peak physique. But for those who need to lumber up a daunting mountain to reach a healthy weight, 10 pounds can seem like barely a molehill. Take heart, though. Shedding 10 pounds is a fantastic feat—even for those who are significantly overweight or obese. Imagine dropping a 10-pound dumbbell that you’ve been carrying with you for eternity. The ascent is nicer, right?

”There’s something magical about that first 10-pound weight loss that I don’t see at other markers,” says Lisa Ellis, R.D., founder of Integrating Nutrition in White Plains, New York. “It tends to foster motivation. And people start to build upon their successes.”

The health benefits of losing 10 pounds can vary depending on your starting weight, the kind of diet changes you make, and how fast you lose the weight. By some markers, “overweight” means being 10 percent over your body’s ideal weight range, and “obese” is 20 percent and higher. So for a 150-pound person, losing 15 pounds can place them in a whole new medical bracket.

The first few pounds you lose are usually water weight, but then you’re really trimming down. While a slow, steady weight loss is key to making permanent lifestyle changes, some quick wins early on will set you up for long-term success. Read on to learn about the benefits of losing 10 pounds, and then check out 50 Ways to Lose 10 Pounds Fast to set you up on the path to a healthier you.