Websites, apps, resources and organisations to help you get fit and stay healthy
The NHS website has a wealth of information on healthy eating including 5-a-day, healthy recipes, vegetarian and vegan diets, losing weight, digestive health, eating disorders and much more! Click the following links for more information.
Links on this website are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. They do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Sleights and Sandsend Medical Practice. Sleights and Sandsend Medical Practice bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links.
NHS weight loss plan
Developed in association with the British Dietetic Association, the NHS weight loss plan is a free downloadable 12-week diet and exercise plan.
Eat healthier versions of the foods you love. You’ll find delicious, easy meal ideas in this free app.
- Great tips and advice to help you cook healthy and tasty meals.
- Search recipes by meal time.
- Find your favourite recipes and create shopping lists.
The Change4Life Food scanner app is designed to show quickly and easily how much sugar, sat fat and salt is inside your food and drink – just by scanning the barcode.
Stopping smoking
The NHS website has a wealth of information on stopping smoking. Find out about different treatments, health benefits, join the quit smoking community forum and much more.
Download the Smokefree app
Did you know…?Stop smoking for 28 days and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
Stoptober is a great way to kick the habit with great support tools such as: a free app to track your progress, see how much you’re saving and get daily support wherever you are; social media groups to share tips and chat with other people trying to quit; advice on stop smoking medication; and much more.
Local organisations
Smokefreelife North Yorkshire is a free stop smoking service commissioned by North Yorkshire County Council helping local residents to stick to their goal of giving up the habit for good.
More support
Bowel Screening
Bowel screening is an effective way to detect bowel cancer before symptoms show. When diagnosed at the earliest stage, more than 9 in 10 patients will survive bowel cancer for more than 5 years.
Please visit CRUK for information on screening and an animation on how to do a bowel screening test.
There is a free bowel screening centre helpline on 0800 707 606
Bowel screening works better if you take part each time your invited, even if your previous result is negative!
Getting active
Get running with NHS Couch to 5K
Taking up running can seem like a scary prospect, especially if you feel out of shape or unfit.
NHS Couch to 5K will help you gradually work up towards running 5K in just nine weeks. It is a running plan for absolute beginners. It was developed by a new runner, Josh Clark, who wanted to help his fifty-something mum get off the couch and start running, too.
The plan involves three runs a week, with a day of rest inbetween, and a different schedule for each of the nine weeks.
There are podcasts (also available as an app) to guide you through the sessions, explaining when you need to run and when it’s time to walk. The podcasts also feature music to motivate you through the workout.
More support
Fitness resources from the NHS including physical activity guidelines, getting active with a disability, video workouts, cycling for beginners, 12-week fitness plan, strength exercises and much more!
Mental wellbeing
NHS Moodzone
Am I depressed? How can I feel less stressed? Why am I so anxious?
Whatever you need to know about coping with stress, anxiety or depression, or just the normal emotional ups and downs of life, the NHS Moodzone is here to help.
It offers practical advice, interactive tools, videos and audio guides to help you feel mentally and emotionally better.
Mental wellbeing podcast/audio guides
These audioguides are available to listen to our series of in your own time, in private, to help you through times when your mood is low or you’re feeling anxious:
Living Life to the Full
Free online courses covering low mood, stress and resiliency. Work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm, tackle upsetting thinking and more. Our courses are free for individuals using them in their own lives.
Reading Well Books on Prescription
The Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme helps people manage their own health and wellbeing through recommended self-help books endorsed by health experts. People can be recommended a title by a health professional, or they can visit their local library and take a book out themselves. The titles can be searched for and requested online or ask at your library and request them free of charge.
Currently four book lists are available:
