Latest news with #MANvFAT
BBC News
20-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'I lost eight stone playing football and can see my kids grow up'
A man who lost 8st 7lb (55kg) by playing football said he was happy to have the chance to watch his children grow Hammond, 45, from Ipswich in Suffolk, weighed 21st 6lb (137kg) and was "addicted to food" prior to to change his life, in May last year he joined MAN v FAT Football, a league where men with a body mass index (BMI) of 27.50 or over can play while earning points for losing said he was welcomed with "open arms" and had a "bright future" ahead of him. While Mr Hammond could lose weight easily, he struggled to keep it had heard of MAN v FAT before, but felt he could not take part as he believed he was not good enough at football until a friend convinced him to join."I'm a tryer as they say, but once I went and did the tester I realised it's not about the football, it's about the journey and the weight loss. That's the most important thing," he said."It was nerve-racking going because I thought everyone was going to judge me. "I was a big lad and I couldn't play football, but I was welcomed with open arms."Everyone was really friendly. They took me in as part of the team straight away. They made me so comfortable, it was unbelievable, and it made me want to come back week after week." Mr Hammond added MAN v FAT was not only a place where men could meet friends, but where they could also discuss their struggles openly without being judged. Following his weight loss he said he felt like a "different person", which meant he could be more active with his children as well as the youth football teams he coaches at Ipswich Exiles. "I know it's very much a cliche, but when I was bigger I didn't see living past 50 because I was going down a road that, unless I made changes, I wasn't going to be able to turn around from," he said."Now I see a bright future. Hopefully, I'll be able to see my kids grow up, them have kids, and watch their kids grow up and maybe watch them play football."I'm trying to be a better role model to my children and anyone else I can help." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Wales Online
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
These men lost 29 stone by doing something they love and it changed everything
These men lost 29 stone by doing something they love and it changed everything One player lost 13st, while the entire team lost 29st during the season Dylan Painter lost a remarkable 82 kilograms (nearly 13st) A Welsh football team set up to help players lose weight has achieved remarkable results, transforming the bodies and lives of the men who signed up. The MAN v FAT Bridgend club is part of a national programme for players with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27.5 or over. The club has dozens of players, split into eight teams who compete for results on the pitch and weight loss off it. Players are weighed before each match, earning points that go towards their end of season total. One of the teams, KFC Scoffenheim has now won a national award for Team of the Year after the nine players involved lost an incredible 185.2kg (over 29 stone) during the season. One of the club's players, Dylan Painter, has lost 82 kilograms (nearly 13st) alone since becoming involved, while assistant club manager Jean-Luc Howe, 30, has also had an incredible weight-loss journey, losing 52 Kilograms (more than 8st) after joining the league two years ago. Dylan won the Amazing Loser award at the annual ceremony, while the national Community Hero Award went to Dave Hughes for his charity work and helping others Jean-Luc said: "Losing weight has completely changed my life in ways I never thought possible. A few years ago, I couldn't imagine running more than a few minutes. However, I've now completed a full marathon (with many half and full marathons booked!). Article continues below Jean-Luc Howe at the start of his journey "I feel fitter, healthier, and more confident than I've ever been. But it's not just about the physical changes; the biggest difference has been mental. I've found a new sense of belief in myself, a positive mindset, and a real passion for helping others. "MAN v FAT has been a huge part of that journey, giving me the support, motivation, and community I needed. I've since qualified as an FAW referee and now support others as an assistant coach at MAN v FAT Bridgend. "Being able to give something back and see others achieve their own goals is incredibly rewarding because I know first-hand how life-changing it can be." Jean-Luc Howe has lost 52kg The MAN v FAT club in Bridgend has won three awards at their annual awards ceremony, whilst providing a brilliant opportunity for people to lose weight through football. Jean-Luc revealed how he first got involved after putting on weight during Covid, saying: 'It was just through the course of getting a job where we were forced to work from home during Covid and then just staying at home, I just built some really bad habits eating-wise, exercise-wise, I didn't really take care of myself as I should have. 'When I joined, I was about 131kg and through the process of being here now over the two years I've gone on to be the captain. I'm now assistant coach at the club. 'There was a period of time where I did hit a plateau. I did think about whether sticking at it was still the right thing to do. I was discovering other things that I really enjoyed like going to the gym and I got into running and marathons and half marathons. 'I'm really thankful that I did sort of get over that and did work through it and that is part of really why I guess I ended up getting the assistant coaching role. I think it was part and parcel of just seeing and trying to put an arm over people who are struggling for whatever reason and there are opportunities in the clubs for all different things such as community heroes and assistant coaches, play facilitators, refereeing that kind of thing.' Jean-Luc also emphasised the importance of the social side of the club, with members being able to make friends whilst enjoying events like end-of-season parties, nights out and social walks. Current members range in age between late teens to in their 50s, showing the inclusivity of the club, which provides a community for its players. Jean-Luc added: 'We've got a lot of support for players on WhatsApp, which is just a great tool for everybody in the club. You've got team chats, you've got the club overall chat, but you're also able to reach out to anyone at the club, but especially the coaching team, we're always on hand if people need us for whatever reason. 'We embrace that as much as we can and give them the support that we can. And that I would hesitate to say that's ever a solo endeavour, people do reach out, one to one and that kind of thing. I'd say as a club were brilliant for doing it as a group. I'd say that as a club, there's been so many instances of it. 'It was weird for me to embrace that competitiveness, but it's all done in a really friendly way, it's not about putting down people who might not have a great week, it's about celebrating people who have. And because it's team based, you might go on a streak of seven or eight weeks where you were just absolutely nailing it, but then a birthday comes around or you are going on all inclusive holiday or something like that, and life happens, and you don't have a great week. The team in Bridgend have changed their lives 'When you're on your own in a weight lost journey, that can be a real setback. But because you're in a team, your team's there to carry you that week and put an arm around you and say, 'you know, you've done well for seven weeks in a row don't let week eight be the reason that you fall off the horse.'' The club also has strong connections with many different charities, with over £3,500 raised and over 100 Kilograms of food donated to food banks in Bridgend. There has been success on the pitch for Jean luc's side Scoffenheim, though they just fell short of becoming double treble winners after winning all three leagues -the scales, pitch and combined leagues, the season before. With eight teams now included in the Bridgend club, Jean-Luc believes the next steps for the Welsh side could be to split the league into two as a long term goal. MAN v FAT Football explained Aimed at men with a BMI of higher than 27.5, MAN v FAT Football has more than 8,000 players taking part at 150 clubs across the UK. Article continues below At MAN v FAT Football sessions, players are weighed, this is followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side football, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on their weight loss. Weight loss and match scores then contribute to teams' league positions within a club.
Wales Online
09-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
'I ate 13 times a day and weighed 27stone, but I found the answer'
'I ate 13 times a day and weighed 27stone, but I found the answer' As well as intermittent fasting and exercising Tomas gave up one thing - and it has changed his life Story from Jam Press (Weight Loss Transformation) Pictured: Tomas Marks before with his friend, Ken Richard. I weighed 27 STONE and couldn't fit in chairs on dates now Ive found love after friends advice changed my life' A security officer who weighed over 27 stone has revealed he has found love after years of being too big to fit in chairs or go on dates. Tomas Marks, 25, says he was constantly out of breath and battling crippling anxiety due to his size. At his heaviest, he weighed just over 27 stone and says even sitting in booths at restaurants became a source of shame. But after a friend recommended a weight loss programme, Tomas completely transformed his life. And now, after years of disappointing dates, hes found a truly wonderful woman who makes him feel like himself. I've had too many embarrassing moments in my past to list them, Tomas told What's The Jam. The main ones happened when I was out in public and I was too big to do an activity, or when out in a bar or a restaurant and I didn't fit in the chairs or struggled to get into booths. That really embarrassed me and made me feel terrible about myself. The airport security officer from Christchurch, Dorset, explained how his size affected every part of his life, from his mobility to his mental health. He said, I felt terrible both physically and emotionally. I really stood out when out in public, which caused me to have really bad anxiety due to the fear that everyone was looking at me and judging me for my size. Tomas admits his eating habits had spiralled out of control, with a typical day involving not just three meals but constant snacking in between. He said: Id have three meals plus around 10 snacks throughout the day, which, looking back, is wildly unnecessary. A full day of eating back then was easily 3,500 to 4000+ calories. My snacking was truly out of control. I would find myself in bed regularly at 11 pm and just suddenly feel the need to go and raid the cupboards in the kitchen. It was like a quick trip to a drive-thru or a whole bag of Doritos and a whole pot of dip. My worst snacking was always really late at night, which is something I heavily avoid these days. I'd go out for a meal with friends and after dropping them all home, I'd get myself something from McDonalds on the way home. Eating was sort of a coping mechanism for me, and it was a short-term fix to make me feel slightly better. After years of feeling hopeless, a friend suggested he try MAN v FAT, a UK weight loss programme for men that combines weekly football matches with support to help players lose weight. The decision marked the beginning of a major transformation - one that led to Tomas shedding an incredible 9.3 stone. The 25-year-old credits the club and intermittent fasting for his weight loss success. He said: I rekindled my love for the sport and for playing in goal, which was something I hadn't done since my time playing youth football. I also adopted an intermittent fasting routine between the hours of 8 pm and 11 am the next day. Fasting is something I would highly recommend. Tomas says cutting out alcohol and learning to meal prep also massively contributed to his weight loss success. He said, I still focus on portion control and making sure the meals all have balanced macros. I did meal prep a lot at the height of my diet, so I knew exactly what I was eating and how many calories were in things. And as the weight came off, Tomas says his self-worth grew. He said: The first signs that it was working were when I was no longer feeling tired after doing tasks that would've had me exhausted before. Friends and people who I worked with noticed and asked if I'd lost weight, which was a really big boost to my confidence. I had always struggled with clothes and brought the majority of my clothes from online shops that specialised in bigger men, but the biggest change for me was being able to buy normal clothes in any shop. I remember a specific moment when I was trying on jeans in a changing room. I put them on and realised that they were now fitted. I couldn't help but get a bit emotional and felt an immense wave of pride. And after years of unsuccessful dating attempts, Tomas says hes also finally found happiness in a relationship. He said, "I had tried dating on and off throughout the years, but due to my size and lack of confidence, I had little to no success. It really demoralised me and made me feel hopeless about myself. I've only just recently had some success, and I've managed to find myself a truly wonderful person, Faye, whom I just clicked with. I feel comfortable even with my anxiety issues. "Dating was a big change for me. Gradually over the course of my weight loss, I slowly built up my confidence to the point where I was comfortable with being able to go out and meet new people." But Tomas says the biggest change of all has been in his mindset. He added: When I look in the mirror, I see a completely different person from what I was before. Before, when I looked at myself, I hated myself and the way I looked. Now Im happy and Im more confident in myself. ENDS EDITOR'S NOTE: Video Usage Licence: (EXCLUSIVE) We have obtained an exclusive licence from the copyright holder. A copy of the licence is available on request. Video Restrictions: None. A security guard who weighed over 27 stone and was so big he couldn't fit into restaurant booths says his size made his so anxious he couldn't even go on daytes. But Tomas Marks, 25, has now found love after losing more than nine stone. Tomas says he was 'constantly out of breath' and battling crippling anxiety due to his size, until a friend recommended one weight-loss programme. Tomas said: 'I've had too many embarrassing moments in my past to list them. The main ones happened when I was out in public and I was too big to do an activity, or when out in a bar or a restaurant and I didn't fit in the chairs or struggled to get into booths. 'That really embarrassed me and made me feel terrible about myself.' Tomas Marks before his weight los The airport security officer from Christchurch, Dorset, explained how his size affected every part of his life, from his mobility to his mental health. He said: 'I felt terrible both physically and emotionally. I really stood out when out in public, which caused me to have really bad anxiety due to the fear that everyone was looking at me and judging me for my size.' Article continues below Tomas admits his eating habits had spiralled out of control, with a typical day involving not just three meals but constant snacking in between. He said: 'I'd have three meals plus around 10 snacks throughout the day, which, looking back, is wildly unnecessary. 'A full day of eating back then was easily 3,500 to 4000+ calories. My snacking was truly out of control. I would find myself in bed regularly at 11pm and just suddenly feel the need to go and raid the cupboards in the kitchen. 'It was like a quick trip to a drive-thru or a whole bag of Doritos and a whole pot of dip. My worst snacking was always really late at night, which is something I heavily avoid these days. 'I'd go out for a meal with friends and after dropping them all home, I'd get myself something from McDonald's on the way home. Eating was sort of a coping mechanism for me, and it was a short-term fix to make me feel slightly better.' Tomas weighed 27 stone After years of feeling 'hopeless,' a friend suggested he try MAN v FAT, a UK weight loss programme for men that combines weekly football matches with support to help players lose weight. The decision marked the beginning of a major transformation - one that led to Tomas shedding an incredible 9.3 stone. The 25-year-old credits the club and intermittent fasting for his weight loss success. He said: 'I rekindled my love for the sport and for playing in goal, which was something I hadn't done since my time playing youth football. 'I also adopted an intermittent fasting routine between the hours of 8 pm and 11 am the next day. Fasting is something I would highly recommend.' Tomas says cutting out alcohol and learning to meal prep also massively contributed to his weight loss success. He said, 'I still focus on portion control and making sure the meals all have balanced macros. Tomas joined a weight loss and fitness programme 'I did meal prep a lot at the height of my diet, so I knew exactly what I was eating and how many calories were in things.' And as the weight came off, Tomas says his self-worth grew. He said: 'The first signs that it was working were when I was no longer feeling tired after doing tasks that would've had me exhausted before. 'Friends and people who I worked with noticed and asked if I'd lost weight, which was a really big boost to my confidence. I had always struggled with clothes and brought the majority of my clothes from online shops that specialised in bigger men, but the biggest change for me was being able to buy normal clothes in any shop. 'I remember a specific moment when I was trying on jeans in a changing room. I put them on and realised that they now fitted. I couldn't help but get a bit emotional and felt an immense wave of pride.' Tomas Marks with his partner Faye Morgan And after years of unsuccessful dating attempts, Tomas says he's also finally found happiness in a relationship. He said, "I had tried dating on and off throughout the years, but due to my size and lack of confidence, I had little to no success. 'It really demoralised me and made me feel hopeless about myself. I've only just recently had some success, and I've managed to find myself a truly wonderful person, Faye, whom I just clicked with. I feel comfortable even with my anxiety issues. Dating was a big change for me. 'Gradually over the course of my weight loss, I slowly built up my confidence to the point where I was comfortable with being able to go out and meet new people." Article continues below Tomas Marks now But Tomas says the biggest change of all has been in his mindset. He added: 'When I look in the mirror, I see a completely different person from what I was before. Before, when I looked at myself, I hated myself and the way I looked. Now I'm happy and I'm more confident in myself.'
Wales Online
29-04-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Chef loses 6 stone in 18 months only having one thing before 12pm
Chef loses 6 stone in 18 months only having one thing before 12pm Ricky set out to lose weight after the death of his 15-year-old brother and ditched 30% of his body weight Ricky before his weight loss A man who decided to lose weight so he could take part in a rugby match in honour of his brother managed to ditch six stone in 18 months. Ricky Emery, 40 from Bridgend has lost over 6 stone with the help of his local MAN v FAT Football club, since starting the programme 18 months ago. Ricky said: 'My 15 year-old brother sadly passed away in the summer of 2023, and in his memory, our community organised a memorial rugby match that was due to take place on Boxing Day later that year. It was a bit of a wake-up call to be honest, as I knew that I needed to get fit and shift weight fast. So, I joined MAN v FAT Bridgend, a local club that helps men in the area lose weight through weekly football and healthy lifestyle coaching sessions. 'Joining MAN v FAT was a revelation. The mix of playing team sports again and the incentive of losing weight through doing so was a brilliant motivation factor for me. Ricky before his weight loss 'The best thing about MAN v FAT is all abilities can join and contribute, whether you are young or old. And it's not just about the scores on the pitch, because how you do during the week in terms of your own weight loss matters as well. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking to lose weight, in fact I have - and a few of my mates have joined the club too. Around 8,500 men currently take part at more than 150 MAN v FAT Football clubs across the UK. Article continues below The programme was created to differ from traditional weight loss classes and combines the game with weight loss goals for men. Designed for overweight and obese men with a BMI of above 27.5, at a typical MAN v FAT session, players are weighed, before battling it out on the pitch where results from matches combine with a player's individual weight loss throughout a week. Individual weight loss results and scores on the pitch then contribute to a team's position in a club's overall league table. The total amount of weight lost by MAN v FAT players in the UK currently stands at more than 800,000 pounds. In addition to football sessions, MAN v FAT players receive off-the-pitch support including healthy meal recipe ideas and tips on general fitness. Ricky has lost more than six stone Rick said: 'I joined the programme weighing 20 stone, with my initial goal at the time being to reduce my weight to 15.5 stone. I have managed to reduce my weight to just under 14 stone - basically I've lost 30 per cent of my starting bodyweight since joining MAN v FAT. 'The weight loss hasn't been the only benefit of joining though. I've met so many new people and gone from having a quite sedentary life to now being very active. I play five-a-side football and go to the gym three times a week, so I'm feeling a lot fitter and a lot stronger than I was before starting to lose weight. There has been a massive improvement in my lifestyle and that can only be a good thing. 'The hardest thing about losing weight for me was staying consistent. I am a chef, so I am around food all of the time and would regularly drink a lot after work. MAN v FAT gave me the incentive I needed to cut down on both. 'Before I started MAN v FAT an average breakfast was a Greggs bacon roll with extra bacon and a milky coffee with loads of sugar. Or I'd have a full on fry up. Now, I fast until midday every day only drinking black coffee with sweetener until then. Then, my first meal is something high protein like Greek yogurt with berries or overnight oats with added protein. I used to pick and snack all day at work so didn't really have lunch. Now - my average lunch could be something like a jacket potato with cottage cheese or baked beans to keep me full until the evening. Ricky has lost more than six stone 'In the past, that evening meal would have been a big bowl of pasta with varying sauces and loads of cheese with some sort of dessert to finish. Now, I eat lean protein like chicken, turkey mince, or steak, with veggies and a small amount of carbs followed by a protein shake or yogurt for something sweet. 'If there was something that I learned about losing weight, it's that you need to be prepared to step out of your comfort zone. Try something new and find a form of exercise - but that you enjoy doing. That's what made MAN v FAT so perfect for me.' In addition to football sessions, MAN v FAT players receive off-the-pitch support including healthy meal recipe ideas and tips on general fitness. Players also get free access to a bespoke mental health platform through MAN v FAT partners, JAAQ. Article continues below 2025 will see MAN v FAT expand its offering with the launch of 10 new rugby-based weight loss clubs across the UK. The rugby clubs will follow MAN v FAT's key principles, offering overweight and obese men the opportunity to lose weight at a sustainable pace, through weekly rugby, health, and wellbeing sessions.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Newcastle man sheds nearly 4.5 stone with MAN v FAT programme
A Newcastle man has shed nearly 4.5 stone after joining a local, FA-accredited football programme. Luke Foster, 42, weighed almost 23 stone when he first joined MAN v FAT Newcastle in January 2023. After foot problems forced him to stop for a few months, he rejoined in August 2024 and says he has never looked back. Mr Foster said: "MAN v FAT has had a massive impact on my lifestyle. "I used to be very much, go to work, come home, and do nothing. "Now I am playing football twice a week and have just started to go to the gym again. "It has helped my relationship with food. "I really watch what I eat. "Don't get me wrong, I still have a drink on a Friday night, but it's not as excessive as it once was." The Newcastle MAN v FAT Football club, which meets every Monday evening at NUCASTLE, the Newcastle United Foundation on Diana Street, has helped 56 local men lose more than 31 stone in excess weight between them in the last year. MAN v FAT is a weight loss initiative that aims to help overweight and obese men with a BMI of more than 27.5 lose unwanted weight through weekly football and lifestyle coaching sessions. At sessions, players are weighed, followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side football, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on their weight loss. A team's total weight loss and match scores then contribute to its position within a club's overall league table. Mr Foster said: "I would recommend MAN v FAT. "Everyone is there to help you, as they are all in the same boat and, if anything, it will get you moving. "That's the best thing about it. "I now play on Monday evenings and have started a couple of social games as well." According to the Newcastle City Council Director of Public Health Report 2023, 64 per cent of adults aged 18 and over in Newcastle are classified as overweight or obese ( Richard Crick, head of MAN v FAT, said: "Luke and all the guys at our Newcastle club have been drawn to our programme through a love of football and being part of a team. "What they have gone on to achieve both individually and as a key part of the club we have in Newcastle is fantastic. READ MORE: Royal Visit Durham: Hundreds turn out for King and Queen HMP Frankland prison officer still in hospital after attack Santoro's in Yarm hits market months after shock closure "Our Newcastle club has spaces for new players, so if you're looking to make a positive change to your lifestyle, get in touch." To find out more about MAN v FAT Football and to locate your closest club, visit A rugby club offering on the MAN v FAT model is also being rolled out, with more information available at
