Diet club users on their experiences: ‘I’ve turned my life around’ – The Guardian
You were sure you would stick to them this year. But, seven days into January, your resolve is weakening and those new year resolutions you made to eat more healthily, get fit and lose weight this year are in danger of falling by the wayside.
If you need some help to stay on track, one tried-and-tested method is to follow a weight management programme. These typically reward you for cutting down on junk food, encourage you to increase the amount of exercise you do, and motivate you to try new recipes that are low in fat or calories. Most also seek to help you reframe your relationship with food.
But which offer the best value? And how do the perks and benefits compare?
Get help from the NHS or your local council
First, it is important to note that a weight-loss programme doesn’t have to cost anything if you are overweight. Check your body mass index (BMI) to work this out.
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure and your BMI is greater than 30 (or 27.5 if you are from a black, Asian or other ethnic minority background), you can get free online access to a programme for 12 weeks via the NHS. Your GP or a local pharmacist will need to refer you. Their referrals will be triaged to determine the level of support people can access, from a digital-only plan to time with a “coach”, such as a dietician, who can offer more personalised support.
In your local area, the BMI eligibility criteria for support may be lower, and you may not need to have any medical conditions to qualify for free help from your local council.
For example, in locations including Essex, West Sussex, Derbyshire, Cambridgeshire, Haringey and Devon, you can currently join a local weight-loss programme if you are overweight – which typically means a BMI 0f more than 25 – even if you do not have any other medical conditions.
Google the name of your council and “weight loss” to see what is available where you live.
Even if you are not eligible for a funded place, the NHS offers various other free resources such as an online 12-week weight-management programme and the Weight Loss Plan app.
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