There were goals and gut-busting weight loss stories aplenty as the annual MAN v FAT Finals Day played out at Manchester City’s Etihad Campus earlier this month.
Like an incisive through-ball through a stubborn defence, MAN v FAT has proven to be decisive in helping men lose weight in an inclusive environment, tackling the worry of taking to the scales through the simple wonders of a kick-about.
Mike Wallbank, turning out for Bolton MAN v FAT on the day, has lost 35% of his body weight since joining the programme, but achieving a healthy BMI has been the icing on a well-deserved cake. The camaraderie of joining a team means the mental health benefits can be just as big.
“The process is amazing, it’s been life-changing really,” he tells us. “I wouldn’t have said I was an unhappy person before. but since doing MAN v FAT I know I’m a happier person. I put myself out there more. I’ve been made captain and done the Manchester half-marathon which is a real achievement.”
The concept of MAN v FAT is pretty straightforward, with players joining teams of guys to lose some timber by playing weekly matches, officiated by qualified referees. Players don’t have to come as part of a group and can just join alone, which helps with the difficulty of men creating and maintaining friendships.
Often, just getting moving is the kick-start to a whole host of physical and mental health benefits, and the fact that games are decided by weight loss, as well as goals scored, removes some of the pressure of having to perform, making the whole thing a lot more fun.
Having a peer support network is proven to be beneficial when losing weight, and the backing of a football team helps MAN v FAT players resist reaching for the tub of Roses, especially at Christmas time, with football easing the isolation of trying to lose weight, which can often feel like a solitary battle.
MAN v FAT players get access to The Dugout, an exclusive members’ area, allowing them to track their progress and access various matter-of-fact resources that help guys carrying a bit of heft, from healthy eating recipes to sexual health and wellbeing advice.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about MAN v FAT, the unique way for men to lose weight
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