CheqUp vs Second Nature

Jump to: Core Approach Differences | Clinical Credibility & NHS Partnership | Programme Structure | Support & Coaching | Pricing & Accessibility | Long-term Outcomes | Take Home Message

This article is accurate to the best of our knowledge as of May 2025.

When choosing between Second Nature and CheqUp for medication-supported weight loss, the most important difference is clinical credibility.

At Second Nature, we’ve been delivering NHS-commissioned weight-loss services since 2017, with seven years of published clinical outcomes supporting our effectiveness.

Our programme combines medication with comprehensive habit-change support from registered dietitians or nutritionists.

In contrast, CheqUp is relatively newer to the UK weight loss market, positioning itself primarily as a medication provider with supporting services, including an exclusive partnership with WeightWatchers to access their app.

Both programmes offer weight-loss injections alongside support. Second Nature’s longer track record and comprehensive approach provide greater peace of mind for patients seeking a clinically-proven path to sustainable weight loss.

The most significant differences between these programmes are:

• Core approach: At Second Nature, we build sustainable habits through behavioural psychology alongside medication, while CheqUp prioritises medication efficacy supported by WeightWatchers’ app and points-based food system
• Clinical evidence: We’ve been delivering NHS-commissioned services since 2017 with peer-reviewed outcomes, while CheqUp is newer with limited programme-specific research
• Support structure: We provide registered dietitians and nutritionists with GLP-1 expertise, while CheqUp offers Health & Wellness Coaches and WeightWatchers app integration
• Food philosophy: We promote balanced nutrition without restrictive tracking, while CheqUp utilises WeightWatchers’ points-based system, which may lead to demonising food groups based on energy density

This guide will help you understand which approach aligns better with your health goals, preferences, and budget.

Second Nature vs CheqUp: At-a-glance comparison

Feature	Second Nature	CheqUp
Core Approach	Psychology-based habit formation alongside medication	Medication-first with WeightWatchers integration
NHS Partnership	NHS-commissioned since 2017, used by over half of UK Health Boards	Registered with CQC, describes itself as “recommended supplier” to NHS
Clinical Evidence	Multiple peer-reviewed publications showing 6.2kg average weight loss at 12 months	Internal surveys claim 15% greater weight loss with coaching
Health Support	UK-registered dietitians and nutritionists with GLP-1 expertise	Health & Wellness Coaches and WeightWatchers app access
Medication Options	Wegovy, Mounjaro	Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda, Rybelsus, Orlistat
Digital Tools	Custom-built app with flexible tracking, recipes, and education	WeightWatchers GLP-1 Support App with points-based tracking
Weight Loss Claims	6.2kg average at 12 months (NHS trial); 6.5kg after 12 weeks on medication	Up to 25% body weight loss cited (from medication trials)
Monthly Cost	£229-£299/month (all-inclusive)	£119-£219/month (dose-dependent) plus £99 initial blood test
Post-medication Planning	Comprehensive transition strategies and ongoing support	Less explicitly addressed in materials
User Satisfaction	4.8/5 from 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews	4.4/5 on Trustpilot

Clinical credibility & NHS partnership

The foundation of any effective weight loss programme lies in its clinical validation and evidence base. This becomes especially important when medication is involved.

Second Nature: NHS-trusted approach

At Second Nature, we’ve built our reputation on a strong foundation of clinical trust and evidence since our inception.

Since 2017, the NHS has commissioned us to deliver weight loss and type 2 diabetes programmes across the UK, with two-thirds of UK NHS Health and Care boards now using our services.

This partnership with the NHS reflects the confidence healthcare professionals place in our approach, which is grounded in behaviour change psychology and sustainable habit formation.

The effectiveness of our approach is supported by peer-reviewed research published in the British Medical Journal:

• Our members lose an average of 5.9kg at 12 weeks
• 62.5% achieved at least 5% weight loss by 3 months
• 40% of type 2 diabetes patients reduced HbA1c below diagnostic thresholds

More recently, we published research on our medication-supported programme in JMIR Formative Research, showing participants lost an average of 6.5kg (6.4% of body weight) after 3 months, with 62.5% achieving at least 5% weight loss.

Notably, Weight Watchers was removed from the NHS National Diabetes Prevention Programme in 2022 due to poor results, while research from the same programme identified Second Nature as the most effective weight-loss programme among five providers.

CheqUp: Emerging provider

CheqUp is registered with the Care Quality Commission in the UK and describes itself as “a recommended supplier of weight loss management services to the National Health Service” that has been “awarded the NHS Digital Technology Accreditation Criteria.”

For their weight loss outcomes, CheqUp primarily references drug trial data (e.g., Mounjaro’s 25% weight loss in 12-18 months) rather than studies of their specific programme.

While they conduct internal surveys claiming 15% greater weight loss with coaching, we couldn’t find peer-reviewed studies examining CheqUp’s programme effectiveness.

CheqUp’s partnership with WeightWatchers for their digital support tools means their approach is partially based on the WeightWatchers methodology, which some nutrition experts have criticised as “just expensive calorie counting.”

Their points system assigns values to foods based on calorie, sugar, protein, and saturated fat content.

Programme structure & philosophy

The underlying philosophy of a weight-loss programme profoundly influences not just your immediate results, but your relationship with food, body, and health for years to come.

Second Nature: Building sustainable habits alongside medication

At Second Nature, our programme is built on a foundation of behavioural science, developed through years of NHS collaboration.

We recognise that lasting weight loss requires more than willpower.

Rather than focusing on restriction or simplified point systems, we help you understand the complex interplay between your biology, psychology, and environment that influences eating patterns and weight.

Our comprehensive approach includes:

• Building sustainable habits that work with your unique body and lifestyle
• A non-restrictive nutrition philosophy that doesn’t require calorie counting
• Structured educational content based on clinical evidence
• An intuitive app with food journals, recipes, and progress tracking
• Supportive peer groups with others on similar journeys
• Both medication-supported and non-medication options

Our framework acknowledges that weight management isn’t simply about willpower or discipline; it’s about creating an ecosystem of habits and understanding supporting your health in the long term.

We view medication as a tool that works best when combined with healthy habits.

CheqUp: Medication with WeightWatchers tracking

CheqUp positions itself primarily as a medication provider with complementary support services:

• Emphasis on GLP-1/GIP medications as primary drivers of results
• Access to the WeightWatchers GLP-1 Support App through their exclusive partnership
• 1:1 calls with Health & Wellness Coaches
• Management of the medication journey with side effect support
• Automatic dose titration for medications
• Initial blood test (£99) for biomarker analysis
• A wider range of medication options (Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda, Rybelsus, Orlistat)
• Onboarding through online consultation with clinician review

CheqUp’s WeightWatchers integration means their digital support is based on the WeightWatchers points system, which assigns values to foods based on their calorie, sugar, protein, and saturated fat content.

Some nutrition experts have expressed concerns that this points-based system may promote restriction-binge cycles in vulnerable individuals and can sometimes oversimplify nutrition by focusing more on calorie density than nutritional quality, potentially deterring consumption of healthy high-calorie foods like nuts and avocados.

As noted by dietitian and nutrition writer Abby Sharp in her review of WeightWatchers’ programme, the points system to create a ‘food budget’ can be unnatural, potentially promoting restriction and bingeing cycles common in people with disordered eating patterns.

Support & coaching

When taking weight-loss medications like Mounjaro, having the right support transforms your experience, helping you navigate side effects, adjust your eating patterns, and maintain motivation through challenges.

Second Nature: Professional guidance and peer support

At Second Nature, we provide access to UK-registered dietitians and nutritionists who specialise in supporting members on weight-loss injections.

These qualified professionals are available five days a week via both group and private chat as part of your standard programme cost.

Our health coaches receive specific training in side effect management, ensuring you receive personalised guidance through the physical and emotional challenges that sometimes arise during medication treatment.

We place you in a small group with others on similar journeys, creating a supportive community where you can share experiences and strategies.

This community aspect provides emotional support that’s crucial for long-term success.

Our programme is explicitly designed with post-medication life in mind:

• Focus on sustainable habit formation from your very first day
• Personalised transition plans for maintaining results after medication
• Ongoing access to support resources even after completing the programme
• Community support from others at similar stages

CheqUp: Coaching with WeightWatchers tools

CheqUp offers “1:1 calls with our brilliant team of Health & Wellness Coaches” who have “backgrounds in nutrition, eating behaviour, bariatric healthcare.”

They emphasise that their team helps users “build long-term healthy weight loss habits” and provides ongoing support throughout the weight loss journey.

CheqUp also provides 24/7 side effect management support, which can be valuable when first adjusting to medication.

Their partnership with WeightWatchers gives users access to the WeightWatchers GLP-1 Support App.

This app allows you to track food, weight, and activity, and access recipes and behaviour-change guidance based on the WeightWatchers framework.

CheqUp emphasises ongoing support throughout your weight loss journey, but their materials provide less explicit focus on preparation for life after medication use ends; an important consideration for long-term planning.

Pricing & accessibility

Understanding the full financial commitment helps you make an informed decision that aligns with both your health goals and financial circumstances.

Comprehensive pricing overview

Second Nature options:

• Without medication: £28-£38/month after £9.99 trial
• With Mounjaro: £229-£299 monthly (£100 off the first month; increases with higher doses)
• Minimum commitment: £9.99 (14-day trial) for non-medication programme

CheqUp pricing:

• With Mounjaro: £119-£219 monthly (dose-dependent)
• Initial blood test: £99 one-time fee
• Minimum commitment: First month medication plus blood test

While CheqUp’s starting monthly price for medication appears lower, the required initial blood test brings first-month costs closer together.

Additionally, what’s included in the monthly fee differs significantly.

At Second Nature, our monthly fee includes:

• Medication costs and delivery
• Full access to our app
• Support from our registered dietitians and nutritionists
• Placement in peer support groups
• All educational content and tools

CheqUp’s offering includes:

• Medication costs and delivery
• Access to the WeightWatchers GLP-1 Support App
• 1:1 calls with Health & Wellness Coaches
• 24/7 side effect management

Long-term outcomes

Second Nature: Building for lasting results

At Second Nature, our outcomes approach focuses on:

• Sustainable weight loss: 6.2kg average at 12 months (NHS trial non-medication trial); 6.5kg after 12 weeks on our medication programme
• Metabolic health: Improving broader markers beyond just weight
• Habit formation: Creating enduring lifestyle patterns that support health
• User satisfaction: 4.8/5 on Trustpilot across 6,000+ reviews
• Post-medication planning: Comprehensive strategies for maintaining results long-term

Our approach acknowledges that while dramatic weight loss makes compelling marketing, more moderate, sustainable changes often lead to better long-term health outcomes.

We’ve seen that strict calorie restriction can risk putting your body into ‘metabolic adaptation’; essentially, a starvation response that triggers a cascade of events designed to encourage us to eat more and regain any fat lost.

That’s why we help you determine what level of intake works for you, which, surprisingly, can lead to more weight loss in the long term.

CheqUp: Medication-driven results

CheqUp emphasises:

• Significant weight loss: Up to 25% body weight loss cited (from medication trials)
• Enhanced coaching impact: Claims users with coaching lose 15% more weight over six months vs. self-managed plans
• User satisfaction: 4.4/5 on Trustpilot
• Post-medication planning: Less explicitly addressed in their materials

CheqUp highlights impressive weight loss numbers drawn from medication trials, which while significant, may not reflect the varied experiences of all users, particularly regarding weight maintenance after stopping medication.

Take home message

Weight-loss medications like Mounjaro can be transformative when paired with the right support programme.

They help calm food-related thoughts and provide the mental space to develop sustainable habits for long-term success.

Your choice between Second Nature and CheqUp should reflect your personal health philosophy, support preferences, and long-term goals.

Choose Second Nature if you value:

• Evidence-based approach: NHS partnership and peer-reviewed clinical outcomes providing peace of mind
• Psychological foundation: Understanding the ‘why’ behind eating behaviours, not just the ‘what’
• Qualified support: UK-registered dietitians with extensive GLP-1 medication expertise
• Sustainable philosophy: Learning habits that last beyond medication
• Flexible relationship with food: No points system or rigid categorisation of foods
• Post-medication planning: Comprehensive strategies for life after medication
• Proven satisfaction: Higher ratings across thousands of independent reviews
• Transparent pricing: Clear all-inclusive fee structure with no hidden costs

Choose CheqUp if you value:

• Medication variety: Broader range of options (Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda, Rybelsus, Orlistat)
• WeightWatchers familiarity: Experience with and preference for the points-based system
• Lower initial medication cost: Starting at £119/month (though additional blood test fee applies)
• Structured tracking approach: Preference for detailed food monitoring and scoring
• 24/7 support: Round-the-clock side effect management
• Broader medication selection: Access to additional medication options beyond Wegovy and Mounjaro

At Second Nature, we believe sustainable weight management continues long after medication use ends.

Our programme teaches you how to build a healthier relationship with food and your body through understanding habits, not points or restrictions.

If you’ve spent years jumping from one restrictive diet to another, our focus on building a healthier relationship with food, combined with human support and NHS validation, provides a foundation for sustainable change.

Remember that the ultimate goal isn’t just weight loss, but creating a healthier relationship with your body that supports your wellbeing for life.

Second Nature’s medication programme

At Second Nature, we provide Mounjaro as part of our medication-supported weight-loss programme.

Why should you choose Second Nature over other medication providers if you’ve decided to try Mounjaro (assuming you’re eligible)?

For peace of mind.

We’ve worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.

While our Mounjaro weight-loss programme is private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built it focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.

We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.