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
Free tracker included with every download this week
TEE Calculator — Understanding Your Energy Needs
Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) is the total number of calories your body burns each day through activity, digestion, and basic metabolic function. Understanding your TEE is essential for effective weight management in the UK, as it forms the basis for creating a sustainable calorie deficit. Whether you're aiming for healthy weight loss or maintaining your current weight, knowing your TEE helps you make informed decisions about nutrition and exercise. Our UK health guide explains TEE, how it's calculated, and how it connects to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight according to NHS guidance.
10,000+ calculations today · NHS-aligned thresholds · 100% free
Calculate Your BMI Instantly
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.
How TEE Works and Why It Matters for Weight Management
Total Energy Expenditure is calculated from three main components:
- Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) — the calories your body burns at rest, maintaining core functions like breathing and circulation. BMR accounts for approximately 60–75% of total daily energy expenditure.
- Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) — calories burned during digestion, accounting for roughly 10% of TEE. This varies by macronutrient — protein requires more energy to digest than carbohydrates or fat.
- Activity Energy Expenditure (AEE) — calories burned through physical activity, exercise, and daily movement. This varies significantly between individuals based on occupation, exercise habits, and lifestyle.
The standard formula is: TEE = BMR × Activity Factor. Common activity factors range from 1.2 (sedentary lifestyle) to 1.9 (very active). NHS health guidance emphasises that creating a sustainable calorie deficit — typically 500 kcal below your TEE — supports steady weight loss of approximately 0.5 kg per week, which aligns with safe, sustainable weight management recommendations.
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.
Using TEE for Sustainable Weight Loss in the UK
Understanding your TEE helps you set realistic weight loss targets that work alongside NHS healthy weight guidance. If your TEE is 2,500 kcal per day, a sustainable deficit would be around 2,000 kcal daily, supporting approximately 0.5 kg weight loss per week. This approach avoids extreme restriction and supports long-term lifestyle change rather than rapid, unsustainable loss.
For those considering weight management support — whether through dietary changes, increased physical activity, or prescription options like GLP-1 medications — knowing your TEE provides a baseline for tracking progress. Our free BMI calculator helps you assess whether your current weight falls within a healthy range for your height, and our weight converter makes it easy to track your weight in stone, kilograms, or pounds as you work toward your goals. Your GP can provide personalised advice on whether your TEE and weight loss plan are appropriate for your individual health needs.
- 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.
What's the difference between BMR and TEE?
BMR is the calories your body burns at complete rest, while TEE includes all energy expenditure — rest, digestion, and activity combined. TEE is therefore always higher than BMR and is more useful for weight management planning since it reflects your actual daily calorie burn.
How can I calculate my TEE accurately?
Several formulas exist — the Mifflin-St Jeor equation is widely considered most accurate. You'll need your age, sex, height, and weight. Multiply your BMR by your activity factor (1.2 for sedentary, 1.5 for moderate activity, 1.9 for very active). A healthcare professional or registered dietitian can help calculate your individual TEE.
Can my TEE change over time?
Yes. TEE decreases with age (approximately 2–3% per decade after 30), increases with muscle mass, and varies with lifestyle changes. Weight loss itself can lower TEE slightly as your body has less mass to maintain. Regular physical activity can help maintain or increase TEE.
Is TEE the same for everyone at my weight?
No. Two people of the same weight, age, and height can have different TEEs due to genetics, muscle mass, hormonal factors, and metabolic variation. This is why individual assessment — ideally with a GP or dietitian — is valuable for personalised weight management guidance.
How does TEE relate to NHS weight loss recommendations?
NHS guidance recommends a 500 kcal daily deficit from your TEE for safe, sustainable weight loss of approximately 0.5–1 kg per week. Understanding your TEE helps you achieve this deficit through diet and activity without extreme restriction, supporting long-term lifestyle change and health improvement.
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.