Lose weight - Better Health (2024)

If you're overweight, losing weight has many health benefits. It might help reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Making small, simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking can really help you lose the pounds.

Lose weight - Better Health (1)

Download the free NHS Weight Loss Plan

Download the free NHS Weight Loss Plan to help you start healthier eating habits, be more active, and start losing weight.

The plan is broken down into 12 weeks so you can:

  • set weight loss goals
  • plan your meals
  • make healthier food choices
  • get more active and burn more calories
  • record your activity and progress

Don't worry, the app makes it easy for you – just take it one week at a time. Let's make "one day" today!

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Advice and tools to get you started

Healthy eating when trying to lose weight Learn what a healthy diet looks like when you're trying to lose weight, and see our tips, tricks and advice to help you stick to one.
Calorie counting Find out what calories are, why it can be useful to count them and how doing so can help you lose weight.
BMI calculator Use this calculator to check your body mass index (BMI) and find out if you're a healthy weight.

Free weight-loss programmes

There is lots of help and support available to lose weight. Get going with these free health programmes.

Weight loss plans

You may prefer using one of these weight loss plans. We have teamed up with these partners to create special offers for you.

Why should I lose weight?

Gaining weight is often a gradual process – it happens over the years as a result of modern-day life and the odd unhealthy habit.

Extra weight causes fat to build up around vital organs, making it harder for the body to fight against diseases like cancer, heart disease and now COVID-19.

If you are overweight or living with obesity, lowering your weight can help reduce your risk of developing serious diseases.

You can learn more about obesity and get support from Obesity UK, the leading charity dedicated to supporting people living with obesity.

Can my weight affect my blood pressure?

If you are overweight, you might be more at risk of having high blood pressure. If left untreated, high blood pressure can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

High blood pressure does not usually have any symptoms, so the only way to know if you have it, is to get a check. If you are 40 or over, live in England and haven’t had a check in the last 6 months, you can get your blood pressure checked for free at your pharmacy today.

If your blood pressure is high, then it can be managed through lifestyle changes or medication.

Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks
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Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes causes the level of sugar in the blood to become too high.

It can lead to serious complications such as sight loss, kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. You can reduce your risk by eating more healthily, losing weight and being more physically active.

You may be at a higher risk if you:

  • carry extra weight, especially around your middle
  • are from South Asian, African-Caribbean or Black African descent
  • have a parent, brother, sister or child with type 2 diabetes

To find out if you’re at risk of type 2 diabetes, take a couple of minutes to check your risk score.

If you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes - get free NHS support online to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Healthy eating

Tips and advice on healthy eating and managing your weight.

Our healthy recipe of the month

Old school sausage and mash Healthy eating does not need to be dull – give this tasty recipe a try!

Did you know?

Small changes (like swapping sugary drinks for water or ditching sugar from your tea) can make a big difference in the long term.

Get active

Being healthier is not just about what you eat – it's also about regular physical activity. Even 10 minutes a day counts!

Check out our tools and tips on weaving exercise into your daily routine.

Get active

Did you know?

Veggies keep you full for longer. They are low in calories and high in fibre – they make great snacks too.

Take care of your mind too

Your mental wellbeing is just as important as your physical health.

Answer 5 quick questions to get your free mind plan from Every Mind Matters – including tips to help you deal with stress and anxiety, improve your sleep, boost your mood and feel more in control.

Get Your Mind Plan
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Dietary advice

Better Health cannot provide individual dietary advice. If you or someone you care for has special dietary requirements, medical needs or an eating disorder, please seek advice from a registered healthcare professional. If you would like more information on eating disorders, Beat has lots of useful advice for adults and children.

Lose weight - Better Health (2024)

FAQs

Can losing weight improve overall health? ›

If you're overweight, losing weight has many health benefits. It might help reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Making small, simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking can really help you lose the pounds.

Can losing weight fix health problems? ›

Obesity increases your risk for many health problems. Losing the extra weight can help eliminate those health problems or lower your odds for them. Weight loss can reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also slash risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and osteoarthritis.

How much weight loss improves health? ›

But if you lose even a small amount of weight, you'll reap benefits that will make a big difference in your health. "The magic number is 5% of your total body weight; that's when we see clinically significant physiologic changes," says Dr.

What is the 30 30 30 rule for weight loss? ›

The 30-30-30 rule involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity, steady state cardiovascular exercise. Beyond these steps, the 30-30-30 method doesn't require any changes to other meals or behaviors, restrictions or counting calories.

What does losing 20 pounds do for your body? ›

Weight loss is strongly associated with increased cardiovascular health. By following a low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-sodium diet plan, you can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

Can losing weight reverse health problems? ›

Research shows you can improve conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and erectile dysfunction with weight loss. Even better, you'll feel improvements immediately after making lifestyle changes and improving your diet.

Does losing 20 pounds make a difference in appearance? ›

How much weight a person needs to lose for it to be noticeable is also subjective as it depends on your frame and starting body mass index, according to Guzman. On average, a 15 to 20-pound loss (approximately 2 to 5 percent of your starting body weight) is enough to notice "significant changes in your body," he said.

What does losing 50 pounds do to your body? ›

Losing 50 pounds is a challenging feat. But the rewards will be worth it in the end! There are many benefits to reshaping your body, such as improved strength and energy levels, better posture and balance, reduced risk of health issues related to obesity or overweight status, and even a boost in mood or confidence.

Does your heart get better if you lose weight? ›

Losing even a little weight can greatly improve heart and vascular health, boost heart function, lower blood pressure and improve metabolism.

Does losing weight clear your arteries? ›

Losing weight reduces risk for coronary artery disease and stroke. Being overweight or obese isn't simply about how you look or how it places strain on your joints. It's one of the key risk factors for developing coronary artery disease when plaque builds up in your arteries, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

How long will it take to lose 20 pounds? ›

That said, many healthy weight-loss guidelines say you should aim to lose one or two pounds per week (whether you have five or 50 pounds to lose), that means it could take anywhere from 10 to 20 weeks to lose 20 pounds.

Why does losing weight feel so good? ›

You'll find that weight loss means you have more energy, which enables you to say “yes” to more and more invitations. Your enjoyment of these social engagements will grow because you'll be better able to participate in team sports, dancing, other forms of movement - and the later nights.

What is the fastest way to lose 30 pounds? ›

Reducing your calorie intake, cutting back on processed foods, eating more protein and fiber, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can all help you lose 30 pounds.

What is the 80 20 rule to lose weight? ›

What Is It? The idea is simple: Eat healthy meals 80% of the time, and have more freedom with the other 20%. But how it's done and how it will affect your weight can be different for everyone.

How many pounds should you lose in 30 days? ›

So what is the magic number to lose weight and keep it off? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , it's 1 to 2 pounds per week. That means, on average, that aiming for 4 to 8 pounds of weight loss per month is a healthy goal.

Will losing weight solve all my problems? ›

And while most people feel happier after they've lost weight, it's not a cure-all. “For a smaller percentage of people, mood will not improve even after they lose 100 pounds,” he says. That may be because weight loss doesn't address any underlying problems you may have, says Saltz.

Did losing weight improve your life? ›

Some possible changes to your life from losing weight

You could have more energy, improved mood, improved mobility, decreased joint pain and better sleep. You'll lower your risk of some cancers and other obesity related diseases and improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

What are the positive effects of losing weight? ›

You'll reduce your long term risk of disease. Losing just 5% of your body weight can have a positive effect on blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood sugar levels and heart health. Being overweight increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and fertility problems.

How does losing weight change your body? ›

Notably, as much as 5% weight loss may significantly improve the health of an overweight or obese individual besides reducing the risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, impairment in liver and kidney function, etc. Additionally, it leads to an overall reduction of fat and an increase in healthy muscle mass.

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