The UK's most complete GLP-1 guide
Every Question Answered. Every Side Effect Explained.
- How GLP-1 medications work
- Mounjaro vs Wegovy compared
- Injection instructions
- Side effects & solutions
- What to eat on treatment
- FAQs answered
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Stomach Weight Loss Exercises at Home in the UK
Targeted stomach exercises can help strengthen your core and support overall weight management at home. However, sustainable weight loss requires a combination of exercise, dietary changes, and sometimes prescription support. If you're struggling to lose weight despite exercising regularly, prescription weight loss medication may be worth discussing with your GP. This guide covers both home-based exercises and UK-licensed medical options available for eligible adults seeking professional support for weight management.
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Enter your height and weight below. Supports both imperial (stone & lbs) and metric (kg). Results include NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity adjustments.
What Is BMI and Why Does It Matter?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most widely used screening tool for assessing whether your weight falls within a healthy range. Used by the NHS, GPs, and weight management services across the UK, BMI provides a quick snapshot of your weight relative to your height. The formula is simple: your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared (kg/m²).
While BMI isn't a perfect measure — it doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, or fat distribution — it remains the standard first step in identifying potential weight-related health risks including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and certain cancers.
The NHS also recommends adjusted thresholds for people of South Asian, Chinese, or Black African heritage — a BMI of 23 or above is classified as overweight, and 27.5 as obese. Our calculator includes this adjustment as a one-click toggle.
UK Prescription Weight Loss Options for Home-Based Programmes
For many people in the UK, combining home exercises with prescription weight loss medication can significantly improve results. Three medications are currently licensed in the UK for weight management: Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Saxenda (liraglutide).
- Mounjaro — a once-weekly injection that activates two hormone pathways (GIP and GLP-1). Clinical trials showed participants lost an average of 15–21% of their body weight alongside lifestyle changes.
- Wegovy — a once-weekly GLP-1 injection. STEP trial data showed approximately 15% average body weight loss over 68 weeks.
- Saxenda — a daily GLP-1 injection option, though less commonly prescribed than weekly alternatives.
These are all prescription-only medicines requiring clinical assessment. Eligibility typically includes a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease. Use our free GLP-1 weight loss calculator to see potential outcomes at different doses.
Clinically BackedWeight Loss
No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just care — from a UK-regulated online pharmacy.
How It Works
Three simple steps to understand your weight and take action.
Enter your height and weight in our free calculator. Get your BMI, NHS category, healthy weight range, and ethnicity-adjusted thresholds instantly.
If your BMI suggests you're overweight or obese, explore our GLP-1 calculators to project potential weight loss on Mounjaro or Wegovy.
Use our progress tracker to log your weight weekly, visualise your journey with charts, and stay motivated — all stored privately in your browser.
Free Weight Loss Tools & Guides
Everything you need to understand your weight, explore medication options, and track your progress — completely free.
How to Access Weight Loss Medication in the UK
There are two main routes to prescription weight loss medication in the UK: NHS specialist services and private prescribing. Through the NHS, your GP can refer you to a tier 3 specialist weight management service, though waiting times vary significantly by region and availability is limited in many areas. Privately, you can access prescription weight loss treatment through an online consultation with a UK-licensed prescriber, with medication dispensed by a GPhC-registered pharmacy.
Before starting any medication, a prescriber will assess your medical history, current medications, and whether weight loss treatment is appropriate for you. Prescription medications work best when combined with reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity — not instead of lifestyle changes. Discuss your weight management goals with your GP to explore all available options, including medication eligibility.
- Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 22.5% body weight loss (SURMOUNT-1)
- Weekly injection, dose escalation over 20+ weeks
- Available via private prescription in the UK
- Doses: 2.5mg → 5mg → 7.5mg → 10mg → 12.5mg → 15mg
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Up to 15–17% body weight loss (STEP trials)
- Weekly injection, 5-step dose escalation
- NHS & private prescription available
- Doses: 0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → 1.7mg → 2.4mg
Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Head-to-Head
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular GLP-1 weight loss medications available in the UK.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Wegovy |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Avg. weight loss | 15–22.5% | 12–17% |
| Key trial | SURMOUNT-1 (2022) | STEP 1 (2021) |
| Max dose | 15 mg weekly | 2.4 mg weekly |
| Escalation period | 20–32 weeks | 16–20 weeks |
| Administration | Weekly injection (pen) | Weekly injection (pen) |
| NHS availability | Private prescription only | NHS & private |
| Approx. private cost | £150–£250/month | £150–£300/month |
| Common side effects | Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea |
Data sourced from SURMOUNT-1 and STEP 1 clinical trials. Costs are approximate and vary by provider. Always consult a prescriber.
Am I Eligible for Weight Loss Medication?
In the UK, eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy is based on your BMI and overall health profile.
- BMI of 30 or above (obese)
- Age 18 or over
- No contraindicated conditions
- Committed to lifestyle changes
- BMI of 27 or above
- Plus type 2 diabetes
- Or high blood pressure
- Or obstructive sleep apnoea
Use our BMI calculator to check whether your BMI falls within the eligible range.
How We Built These Tools
Every calculator and guide on myweightcheck is built with accuracy and transparency in mind. Our BMI calculator uses the standard WHO formula with NHS-aligned category thresholds. Our GLP-1 projections are modelled on published clinical trial data from SURMOUNT and STEP studies.
All data stays on your device. We don't require sign-ups, and we don't store your health information on any server. Your progress tracker saves data locally in your browser using localStorage, so only you can see it.
We're based in the UK and our tools are designed specifically for UK users — supporting stone & lbs by default, referencing NHS guidelines, using NICE-approved medication data, and linking to GPhC-registered pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BMI, weight loss medications, and our free UK tools.
Can stomach exercises alone help me lose weight?
Abdominal exercises strengthen core muscles and can improve posture, but they won't create the calorie deficit needed for weight loss. You lose weight through overall calorie deficit, which requires both exercise and dietary changes. Spot reduction of fat from specific areas isn't possible through exercise alone.
What's the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy?
Both are once-weekly injections for weight management. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) activates two hormone pathways and showed average weight loss of 15–21% in trials. Wegovy (semaglutide) activates one pathway and showed approximately 15% average weight loss. Individual results vary, and a prescriber assesses which is suitable for you.
Am I eligible for prescription weight loss medication on the NHS?
NHS eligibility typically includes a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with weight-related conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. However, NHS availability varies by region — your GP can assess your eligibility and discuss options including specialist referral or private prescribing alternatives.
How quickly can I expect results from weight loss medication?
Weight loss typically becomes noticeable within 4–8 weeks on prescription medication, though the first 2–4 weeks may show minimal change. Most significant weight loss occurs between weeks 8–20. Results vary between individuals and depend on dose, diet, and physical activity. Use our GLP-1 calculator to estimate potential outcomes.
Do I need to keep exercising if I'm on weight loss medication?
Yes. Prescription weight loss medications work best combined with regular physical activity and a reduced-calorie diet. Exercise maintains muscle mass during weight loss, supports cardiovascular health, and improves overall wellbeing. Medication alone without lifestyle changes is less effective long-term.
Ready to take control of your weight loss journey?
Start with a free BMI check, explore your GLP-1 options, or begin tracking your progress today. No sign-up. No cost. Just results.