If you are overweight, weight loss can benefit your overall health. Making simple changes to your eating and exercise routine can help you lose weight. It can also reduce your chances of developing weight-related health problems such as back and joint pain, heart disease and diabetes.
Get started on your weight loss journey
- BMI calculator - BMI (body mass index) is a measure of your height and weight, to work out if your weight is healthy
- Live Well - NHS
- Lose weight - Better Health - NHS
- The Eatwell Guide - NHS
- read further information if you are concerned about your child’s weight
There are lots of free smartphone NHS apps available to help you out:
- NHS Food Scanner app - start finding healthier swaps today!
- Couch to 5K app - a running app for absolute beginners
- BMI Calculator app - check your body mass index
- Easy Meals app - meal ideas, recipes, cooking tips
- Active 10 app - track and build up your daily walks. Start with 10 minutes every day
Get active outdoors in Wirral
- find your free local walking groups
- join in weekly park runs in Birkenhead Park
- download 1-mile maps for jogging or walking around Wirral
Get active at home
- equipment-free Strength and Flex exercise plan
- 10 to 45-minute Fitness Studio videos
- 10-minute workouts
Cooking simple food
Cooking is a useful skill to help you lose weight, while using good-for-you ingredients and saving you money.
- get easy recipes for each meal of the day, including snacks, puddings and lunchbox ideas
- find what produce is in season
Additional weight management support in Wirral
You may be able to access free weight management support in Wirral. To access the support, you must be referred by a health professional at your Wirral GP who will check if this support is right for you. To do this, they will measure your height and weight to find your BMI and check that you meet the criteria.
NHS Digital Weight Management Programme
This service offers 12 weeks’ online weight management support, with options to customise the support.
- BMI of 30+ (lower with other conditions)
- aged 18+
NHS Wirral Weight Management Service
This service is a customised support plan with classes on nutrition, as well as supervised exercise sessions, advice on changing your mindset, and health plan reviews. This service is offered to those with a higher BMI over 39.9.
- BMI of 39.9+
- aged 18+