If you've lost weight recently, you're no doubt giving yourself a pat on the back. But for your achievement to really count, you have to keep the weight off. If you want to maintain your weight, you need to adopt a lifelong change to your habits.

Factors crucial for long-term weight-loss success

• You must want to change: believe the changes you are making to your life are worth the effort.
• Be realistic, and set small and achievable goals.
• Value what you have achieved, rather than dwelling on your ‘dream’ weight.
• Plan regular meals and snacks, starting with breakfast.
• Be flexible: plan and enjoy some favourite foods without guilt.
• Recognise ‘all or nothing’ thinking: if you slip up, don't give up, just get back on track.
• Learn to confront emotional problems without turning to food.
• Check your weight at least once a week, but no more than once a day.
• If your weight is rising, take action before it rises by more than 2kg.

Rotherham weight management services

NHS Rotherham’s award winning and nationally recognised Weight Management Services consist of a four-tiered programme and are available to overweight and obese people registered with a Rotherham GP.

The four programmes that make up the service are:

Reshape Rotherham

This is a free service available to all local residents registered to a Rotherham GP, with a BMI of over 25. Reshape Rotherham consists of a series of ten weekly, hour long sessions designed to help people make long term changes towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. People can either self refer by telephoning 01709 307694, email reshape@rothgen.nhs.uk or can be referred into the service by visiting their GP or practice nurse.

Rotherham Institute for Obesity (RIO)

RIO is a specialist centre for the management of obesity. Based at Clifton Medical Centre, RIO offers services including a gym, cooking classes and resource centre, providing specialist support for overweight and obese people. Patients must be referred in by their Rotherham GP. For more information on RIO, please contact Lynn Senior, RIO Supervisor on 0844 4773622.

MoreLife Club

This is a 12-week weight management programme for overweight and obese children aged 8-17 and their families to help them become fitter, healthier and happier. DC Leisure is working in partnership with NHS Rotherham and MoreLife Weight Management to deliver MoreLife Clubs FREE of charge at Rotherham Leisure Complex, Aston-cum-Aughton Leisure Centre and Maltby Leisure Centre. To register your interest, or for more information, please contact Natalie Dunn, Healthy Living Programme Manager at DC Leisure, on 01709 722555 or 07525 702784 or visit: www.more-life.co.uk

MoreLife Residential Camp

MoreLife Residential Camp is a residential summer camp for 8-17 year olds. The camp covers a range of areas including simple lifestyle changes, making physical activity fun and ways to improve your diet. It provides a fun and supportive environment for weight loss. For more information please contact NHS Rotherham on 01709 302746.

Healthy weight calculator checks BMI

Body Mass Index (BMI) can be used to tell how healthy a person's weight is. You can use the BMI to find out if you're a healthy weight for your height. If you know your height and weight, you can work out which weight range you're in using the simple steps outlined below.

• Take your weight in kilograms (kg) and divide it by your height in metres (m).
• Then divide the result by your height in metres (m) again.

Alternatively you can enter your height and weight in to the NHS Choices BMI calculator.
This will automatically tell you if you are a healthy weight and will provide you with personalised information and advice based on your results.

For more information on NHS Rotherham’s Weight Management Services please contact your GP.