Well done! You’ve decided to make some healthy weight changes. We understand there is so much information about weight loss that it can be hard to know where to start and which options are suitable for you.
Don’t worry; many weight loss options can work for you and your current lifestyle. Different things work for different people.
Support services
The All-Wales weight management pathway outlines support for weight management to meet your individual needs.
It includes specialist weight management services including psychology.
It also offers weight management programmes that address diet, physical activity and behaviour change skills. They normally include referral to commercial provision, dedicated primary or community services delivered by dietitians, other professionals, or digital services.
Some people may benefit from additional weight loss support, e.g. if you have a BMI over 30 and/or health conditions. The pathway offers assessment for bariatric surgery to identify person suitability and treatment needs.
You can also contact your GP and/or practice nurse for additional help and support.
Self-help
Seeing support from others can be important to give you confidence during your weight loss journey.
You may find group-based support with people on a similar journey to yourself helpful if you find it hard to make the changes alone.
Your local health board will offer a range of services to help support your weight loss journey depending on the support you need.
Other self-help options
Effective self-help approaches for weight loss include:
- supporting your mental well-being
- making changes to your food and drink intake
- being physically active
- strengthening motivation and confidence
- using behaviour change tools like goal setting, self-monitoring, getting support and having positive routines.
Our research found that personalised content is more appealing and helps keep motivation.
It is important that the changes fit in with your life and can be maintained over time.
These options will add to the help and support provided by the specialist services and may be included as part of your future healthy weight goals.
Continue your journey
Click on the next page Getting back on track after set backs to continue your journey.
