When Dan attended his first NHS Health Check with Reed Wellbeing, he had already begun a life-changing journey. After years of struggling with his weight and trying countless diets that offered only short-term results, Dan knew it was time for a different approach.

“I’ve struggled with my weight for most of my life. I’ve tried countless diets, and some worked for a while, but the weight always came back, often with more. Living with Still’s disease, an autoimmune inflammatory condition similar to rheumatoid arthritis, I knew I had to take better care of my health.”

The Norfolk NHS Health Checks service is designed to help residents across the county access free NHS Health Checks. These checks are a great opportunity to take stock of your health and get personalised advice on how to live a healthier life. With expert support and clinically credible wellbeing programmes, the service helps people make sustainable changes that reduce their risk of preventable illnesses and improve overall wellbeing.

“Over the past year, I’ve lost four stone by making gradual, sustainable changes. I focused on creating a calorie deficit, changing how I eat, and becoming more active. I still enjoy treats, but I’ve learned how to balance them. If I eat less at lunch, I can enjoy a bit more in the evening. I now stick to around 2,000 calories a day without much thought—it’s become second nature. Once I reach my goal of 13 stone, I’ll move into maintenance and slowly increase my intake to 2,500 calories, the recommended daily amount for men.

“Thanks to these changes, my BMI has dropped from the obese category to slightly overweight. My blood pressure and cholesterol are excellent, and my cardiovascular risk score is just 1%, which is even lower than the average for my age. I’m also now considered low risk for Type 2 diabetes, which is a huge relief.

“Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. This journey has changed not just my body, but my mindset too. I feel healthier, more confident, and more in control of my future.”