Welcome to a new era of weight management.
The HealthyWeight programme supports sustainable weight-loss through access to a personal dietitian, flexible menus, and daily support.
Introducing weight-loss with medical support
We have introduced a pilot a version of the programme that offers holistic support for qualifying members looking to access weight-loss medicine as part of their weight-management goals.
You received an invitation as part of a small group chosen to take part in our HealthyWeight pilot.
Why join HealthyWeight with medical support?
We understand weight management can feel challenging. For some people, modern weight-loss medicine under medical supervision is a helpful tool to regulate appetite, curb cravings and improve feelings of fullness to support meaningful and lasting weight change.
The goal is better health, confidence and building habits that support your long-term wellbeing.
Join HealthyWeight with medical support and enjoy exclusive boosted rewards
Clinical guidance you can trust
Weight-loss medicine can complement lifestyle changes (if clinically appropriate). A doctor experienced in weight management will assess if medical treatment is appropriate for you and provide clinical oversight, guidance and support throughout your journey.
A personal dietitian in your pocket
Enjoy daily support from your own registered dietitian through WhatsApp to help you build healthier eating habits, exercise regularly, stay motivated and navigate challenges along the way.
A practical, sustainable plan
Stay on track with weekly meal plans tailored to your weight loss journey, with high protein meals, smart grocery lists, dietitian approved recipes, plus progress tracking and tools to support lasting change.
Rewards for building healthy habits
- Earn up to Ð10,000 a month for the first six months of the HealthyWeight programme by engaging regularly with your dietitian and achieving your weekly exercise goals.
- You'll also enjoy an additional 25% back on HealthyFood items at Checkers and Woolworths for the first six months of the programme.
- Plus, pay ZERO activation fees when you sign up for your discounted gym membership.
Start strong in 5 steps
Step 1
Use the link in the WhatsApp invitation to schedule a call with your dietitian to learn more about the pilot and to set your goals.
Step 2
Complete baseline blood tests. We'll support you with this.
Step 3
Book a consultation with the HealthyWeight doctor to go through your results and determine the best approach for you.
Step 4
Begin the HealthyWeight programme for only R295 a month and enjoy daily dietitian check-ins, plus support and guidance from a doctor to keep you on track.
Step 5
Should you qualify, collect your prescribed weight-loss medication if prescribed.
What you need to know
The HealthyWeight pilot with medical support is restricted to a limited number of members. Only members who have received the invitation will be eligible to join at this time.
Your initial call with your HealthyWeight dietitian, baseline pathology blood tests and consultation with your HealthyWeight doctor to review your blood tests are covered by Discovery Vitality.
The following will be at your own cost:
- If you qualify for weight-loss medicine, you'll need to join the 6-month HealthyWeight programme at R295 per month.
- Plus, your weight-loss medicine (such as GLP-1) prescription which will be sent to you after joining HealthyWeight
You will need to complete a Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test, a Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test and a Urea Creatinine test, to determine if you qualify to join the HealthyWeight pilot with medical support.
The TSH test is a blood test that checks how well your thyroid gland is working by measuring TSH levels. A hormone in the pituitary gland tells the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) that control metabolism. These measures how effectively your brain is signaling your thyroid gland to manage your metabolism.
A HbA1c test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months, helping to diagnose and manage diabetes.
A Urea Creatinine test checks kidney function by measuring waste products, urea and creatinine, in your blood. This helps doctors spot issues like dehydration or kidney disease, often using the results to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to gauge kidney filtration efficiency.
For the HealthyWeight pilot, our partner pathology labs are Ampath and Lancet laboratories. You will inform the HealthyWeight dietitian of your preferred pathology lab during your first introductory call. Your pathology tests will be funded by Discovery Vitality.
Once you have completed your blood tests, your dietitian will send you a link to book your consultation with the doctor through WhatsApp. Results are usually available from 24 to 48 hours.
Once your blood tests results are available, your dietician will send you a link on WhatsApp to make a booking with the HealthyWeight doctor on the Recomed platform.
The HealthyWeight doctor will determine if you qualify for weight-loss medicine and discuss your treatment plan with you, including the medication and dose that is most appropriate for you. Your HealthyWeight dietitian will contact you to complete joining and onboarding of the HealthyWeight pilot and payment for the weight-loss medicine. Once you've paid, the HealthyWeight doctor will send your script to your nearest Dis-Chem pharmacy.
If you do not qualify, this means weight-loss medicine is not clinically appropriate for your weight loss approach, your HealthyWeight dietitian will asset up a follow-up call to discuss your next steps - you can still join HealthyWeight on a non-medicated pathway so that we can support your weight loss journey
Important to note before starting the programme
Using medicine for weight loss may not be suitable for everyone. A dietitian will call you to discuss your goals and how best to support them. Following the call, you'll complete initial blood tests and a consult with a doctor at no cost, to go through your results and determine the best approach for you.
The doctor will assess whether weight-loss medicine is clinically appropriate for you. Should you qualify, you may choose to join the HealthyWeight programme with or without medical treatment for just R295 a month for six months. Your prescribed weight-loss medicine will be for your own account.