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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Treadmill Exercise For Weight Loss in the UK
Treadmill exercise is an effective way to burn calories and support sustainable weight management, but combining it with other approaches—including prescription medication—can improve your results. While regular treadmill work helps build cardiovascular fitness and create a calorie deficit, many UK adults find that adding evidence-based interventions helps achieve their weight loss goals faster. This guide covers how treadmill training supports weight management and what prescription weight loss options are available to you.
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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.
UK-Licensed Weight Management Medication Options
For eligible UK adults, three prescription-only medications are licensed for weight management alongside exercise and dietary changes. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly injection that works via dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor activation; clinical trials showed average weight loss of approximately 15–21% body weight over 72 weeks. Wegovy (semaglutide) is also a once-weekly injection with GLP-1 mechanism; STEP trial data showed average weight loss around 14.9% at maximum dose. Saxenda (liraglutide) is a daily injection with similar GLP-1 action.
Eligibility includes: BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, or BMI 27–29.9 with weight-related health conditions (type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease). Adults of South Asian, Chinese, Black African, or Black Caribbean heritage may qualify at lower BMI thresholds due to higher health risks at lower weights. Individual results vary significantly—these medications work alongside reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, not instead of them.
Our GLP-1 weight loss calculator can help estimate potential weight loss projections at different medication doses, giving you realistic expectations for your own situation.
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.
NHS vs Private Access and Next Steps
NHS route: Ask your GP for a referral to a specialist tier 3 weight management service. Availability varies by region; some areas have waiting lists of several months. NHS specialist services assess eligibility and prescribe if appropriate.
Private route: Online consultations with UK-licensed prescribers are available without NHS referral. A clinical assessment determines suitability; costs typically range from £129–£320 per month depending on dose and provider.
Start by calculating your BMI using our free BMI calculator to understand your current health category, then discuss your weight management options with your GP. They can advise on local NHS services and whether prescription medication might support your treadmill training and lifestyle changes. Weight loss results improve when exercise, nutrition, and—if appropriate—medical support work together.
- 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.
Will treadmill exercise alone achieve significant weight loss?
Treadmill exercise burns calories and supports cardiovascular health, but sustainable significant weight loss typically requires a calorie deficit of about 500 kcal/day. For many people, combining treadmill workouts with dietary changes and potentially prescription medication achieves better results faster. The NHS recommends losing 0.5–1 kg per week, which generally requires both exercise and dietary adjustment.
What's the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy for weight loss?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) uses dual GIP + GLP-1 mechanism and showed average weight loss of 15–21% in clinical trials. Wegovy (semaglutide) uses GLP-1 mechanism alone with average weight loss around 14.9%. Both are once-weekly injections. Individual results vary; your prescriber assesses which is more suitable based on your health profile and needs.
How do I find out if I'm eligible for prescription weight loss medication in the UK?
Check your BMI using our free BMI calculator on this page. If your BMI is 30 or above (or 27+ with weight-related health conditions), ask your GP about referral to specialist weight management services, or explore private online consultations. A licensed prescriber will assess your individual eligibility after a clinical consultation.
Can I use prescription weight loss medication alongside my treadmill training?
Yes—prescription weight loss medications are designed to be used alongside increased physical activity and dietary changes, not instead of them. Combining treadmill exercise, healthy eating, and—if prescribed—medication typically produces better results than any single approach alone.
What's the difference between NHS and private access to weight loss medication?
NHS access requires GP referral to specialist services; availability varies by region and waiting lists can be long. Private online consultations are available without referral and often faster, but involve private costs (typically £129–£320/month). Both routes require clinical assessment and prescription from a licensed UK prescriber before medication is dispensed.
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.