The Essentials PLUS Healthy Weight For Life™ program (includes phased use of KicStart VLCD) aims to support the management of a range of chronic health conditions.
No cost (100% funded) for eligible nib members.
Click here for more details on member eligibility.
The in-home program is suitable for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 who have an existing chronic health condition (eg. mental health, respiratory, infertility, musculoskeletal conditions) and are motivated to:
- lose around 5-10% body weight
- improve their overall health
- gently increase physical activity and muscle strength
All the products and tools are delivered directly to the individual's home so the entire program can be done in the comfort of their own home.
The program has been expertly researched and developed to integrate:
5+% weight loss
Proven to significantly improve blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep apnoea and overall cardiac health.
Lower body strength
Targeted lower body strength exercises to help increase endurance, improve mobility and general well-being.
Gentle exercise plan
Gentle exercise such as walking improves physical function, assists weight maintenance and promotes general well-being.
Risk factor management
Targets key elements of overall cardiovascular health.
Digital member hub
A secure personal web portal to track progress, access great resources and message your support team.
Monitoring and support
A specialised healthcare team to provide support and guidance via phone, SMS, email, private online message board and post.
The program includes:
The Healthy Weight For Life portion planning and lifestyle modification system (view details)
Phased use of KicStart VLCD meal replacements (view details)
Digital Member Hub - personal online tracking and resource web portal (view details)
Unlimited phone, sms, email and personal message board access to the specialised allied health Care Support Team (view details)
All the resources you need to do the program will be posted out to you at no cost (following the approval from your health fund).
For more information:
Call the Healthy Weight For Life team on 1800 226 180.
Request a program Information Pack - click here.
Member feedback
Shirley at week 18 - April 2020
It is an easy to follow and well supported program. The information and guidelines provided are realistic, providing everyday support and explanations. The way the breakfast, lunch and dinner options were listed was so easy to follow and remember for future reference. The book is a great asset to the program with very revealing information for use in life. It is easy to apply and doesn’t require anything special. A wonderful educational program!
Janet at week 18 - November 2019
I am so grateful for the OAHWFL program. I lost 10kg and 9 inches around my waist in the 18 weeks, thanks to the meal replacements and recipes and dietary advice. I had tons of energy and got motivated to exercise more. My hip replacement was last Feb, and I now ride 4kms on the cycle path every second day or so, and enjoy it. I lost a whole clothing size and feel healthy. Best of all, my hip pain is negligible and my chronic back pain is much less frequent. I can perform pretty much all household and gardening tasks that I was doing 2-3 years ago before my hip got bad.
Denis at week 18 - March 2020
It helped me drop blood pressure medications, more energy and overall well being. Fitter than I was 18 weeks ago, dropped 10cm off belt size!
Meredith at week 18 - December 2019
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight For Life program.
It has been life changing for both of us. I look in our pantry and the change is amazing. No more sweet biscuits, no snacks, no treats. More cans of beans etc for salads. Sugar is lasting twice as long as before and without a doubt the best tool has been the plate divider.
Frank is so much more mobile and has regained a confidence I have not seen for a very long time. He has increased his exercises (group based) and moves virtually independently within the house.
Other health issues have decreased dramatically and I can pinpoint the program as being the catalyst for improvement.
We are both grateful to have been offered this program and are determined to maintain the improvements we have achieved. We are both healthier, happier and a lot more mobile than in July/ Aug when we started.
Glen at week 18 - March 2020
This program has been very effective in assisting me to NOT require Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery. This is a major factor in my improved sense of well-being achieved throughout the last 16 weeks. I was scheduled by one orthopaedic specialist to undergo TKR on the 25th October, and, after seeking a 2nd opinion, that specialist clearly adopted a different paradigm to rushing to surgery. This has been so important, and my knee pain has improved significantly, as evidenced in my return to 'normal' activities' and reflected in my survey responses over time. My GP has been extremely impressed, and, most importantly, the impact of the support has been critically important in my not requiring TKR surgery, which has substantial risks and potential complications.
Dragana at week 18 – March 2020
"It helped me to lose ~17 kilos, my glucose levels are in normal ranges, my cholesterol reading much better and I feel full of energy almost all the time. I couldn't be happier with the results."
* Clinical and policy eligibility criteria apply. Waiting periods apply.