A FREE 12-week programme to slim down is on offer in North Somerset as figures show over half adults in the area are overweight or obese.

The initiative includes dietary advice, physical activity guidance and behaviour change support to help local people start and maintain healthier habits.

The in-person sessions are available in Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead and Weston for people committed to losing weight who have a body mass index equal to 25 or more (adjusted to a BMI of 23 or more in adults of Black African, African-Caribbean and Asian origin or those with comorbidities).

Programmes available from September include:

  • Choose 2 Lose – group support to improve healthy habits with a focus on healthy eating and exercise. It is designed to give people the tools they need to make small but sustainable changes that can be maintained long-term, supporting people to lose weight and maintain weight loss. This programme is available at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre. in Nailsea, and Weston's Hutton Moor Leisure Centre. For more information contact Kylie Taylor on email Kylie.taylor@legacyleisure.org.uk or call 01934 425900.
  • Fit Robins – a wellness and weight management programme at Portishead Youth Centre, designed to empower people through providing expert guidance, personalised support, and the tools needed to achieve wellness goals. For more information contact Daisy-May England (email daisy.england@bcfc.oc.uk or call 07423 418922).
  • Postnatal Health Exercise Nutrition – a healthy lifestyles course for mums who have given birth in the last year delivered at Vision North Somerset in Weston-super-Mare. To find out more or to book a space on the next course visit www.betterhealthns.co.uk/information/hen-postnatal, email healthylifestyles@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 01934 426349.

North Somerset Council’s Health Improvement Service within the Public Health and Regulatory Services Directorate have set up these weight loss programmes in partnership with Legacy Leisure and Bristol City Football Club.

North Somerset Council also provides a free Healthy Lifestyles Advisor service for residents, offering one-to-one support to lose weight, eat well and get active.

In person sessions are available in Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare.

For further information about support from the Healthy Lifestyles Advisors, the eligibility criteria and other weight management support available to residents visit www.betterhealthns.co.uk/lose-weight, email healthylifestyles@n-somerset.gov.uk or call 01934 426349.