Adult healthy weight programme
Our adult healthy weight service is a free 12-week programme that provides support for people looking to achieve a healthy weight.
You can choose from face-to-face group sessions, virtual group sessions, or a fully digital programme. All options offer expert guidance to help you build lasting, healthy habits and improve your overall health and wellbeing.
How does it work?
Once you’ve registered, you’ll be supported to choose the programme that best suits you:
Face-to-face group programme
A 12-week group course, led by an experienced healthy weight advisor. Created by experts including nutritionists, fitness professionals and behavioural coaches. The programme is not a diet; instead, we give you tools to help you be in charge of your own weight loss journey.
Virtual group programme
A 12-week virtual group course, led by our experienced healthy weight advisors and created in the same way as our face-to-face programme, but with the flexibility of joining online.
Digital weight management programme
A flexible, app-based programme with online learning, peer support and one-to-one professional support. Read more about our digital programme.
What to expect from our group programmes
Our team will help you plan personalised changes that fit with your life and your goals. You know what works best for you and what you are most likely to stick to, but you’ll also have the chance to share your experiences, learn from others and build a sense of community with others on the programme.
- Weekly sessions cover core healthy eating principles, such as healthy carbohydrates and fats, alongside behaviour change techniques to help build small, sustainable habits
- One week you might focus on portion control and personal goal setting, another on meal preparation, reducing ultra-processed foods, or building a success team around you
- Other topics include mindful eating, eating on a budget and sleeping well
- You can choose either a face-to-face session local to you, or you can choose to do your sessions online. They are run on different days and times, so you can choose the one which suits you best
The first session is 2 hours with the following weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes.
If you would prefer to receive online support, read more about our digital programme.
Am I eligible?
You qualify for our free 12-week programme if you:
Are 16 years or older (18 years for our digital programme)
Live, work, or study in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, or Milton Keynes (or are registered with a doctor in one of these areas)
Have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
Or:
Have a BMI of 25 or above and have health conditions such as
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Dyslipidaemia
- Non-diabetic Hyperglycaemia
- Sleep Apnoea.
Or:
If you have a BMI of 23 and you are from Black African, African-Caribbean, or South Asian communities.
How to join
Self-referral
Complete our online form. Once your form has been processed a health and wellbeing coach will be in touch to book your first appointment.
Referral by health professionals
If you are a health professional, you can refer a patient through our online form.
Support outside of your area
If you live outside of Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes you might find your local services below
Take control
Even if you’re not sure if you’re ready to make a change, we’d like to hear from you. Our specialists can guide you through the process.