Stevenage man says losing a fifth of his body weight in less than a year
on local health and wellbeing driven football club has significantly
improved his mental health
A 24-year-old Stevenage man who lost a fifth of his body weight in less
than a year on a local FA accredited health and wellbeing football
programme says it has significantly improved his mental health.
Joseph Partridge, who weighed over 17 stones (110kg ) when he began
taking part in MAN v FAT Stevenage in April 2024, says now goes on two
or three 8k runs each week, something he says he could never have dreamt
before he started.
“Losing weight has been a problem for me since I stopped playing
football regularly,” explains Joseph.
“I tried running, especially through lockdown when all group activities
came to a halt but just couldn’t get on board with it. Then I found MAN
v FAT Football scrolling on Instagram. I thought this would be a way to
lose weight in a way that wouldn’t feel like exercise because football
is my biggest passion.”
Stevenage’s MAN v FAT Football club, which meets every Thursday evening
at the Shephalbury Sports Academy on Broadhall Way, has helped 46 local
men lose over 25 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 over 27.5 lose unwanted weight through weekly
football and lifestyle coaching sessions.
At 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. A team’s total weight loss and match scores then
contribute to its position within a club’s overall league table.
Joseph says the community aspect MAN v FAT, how everyone participating
is essentially in the same boat with the same end goal, that appealed to
him:
“We’re all in it to lose weight, perhaps different amounts, but
essentially, we are losing weight through playing a great sport. I would
recommend it to anyone. Whether you like football or not, I have lost so
much weight. There are players in our MAN v FAT group who have never
played before or have never intended to play, but still the best time.
Plus it’s more than just football once a week. You get access to meal
prep, home workouts, access to different recipes so there is lots more
to it than just kicking a ball around every week.”
And, he says, 100 per cent changed his life:
“I have made many friends, it has significantly improved my mental
health and thinking all the time of new forms of exercise I could
participate in like cycling, trampolining, swimming. Exercise is a great
way to relax and MAN v FAT with its friendly community feel, really
helped me to overcome a dark period in my mental health.”
Public Health England data published in April 2023 suggests that around
71.6 per cent of adults in Stevenage are overweight or obese.*
Richard Crick, Head of MAN v FAT adds: “Joseph and all the guys at our
Stevenage club have been drawn to our programme through a love of
football and being part of a team. What they gone on to achieve both
individually and as a key part of the club we have in Stevenage is
fantastic.”
“MAN v FAT players regularly tell us about improving their mental health
through the programme, not just because of weight loss – but due to the
sense of belonging, community and collaboration that team sports can
bring.
“Our Stevenage club has spaces for new players, so if you’re looking to
make a positive change to your lifestyle, get in touch!”
8,500 men currently take part at more than 150 MAN v FAT Football clubs
across the UK. The programme was created to differ from traditional
weight loss classes and combines the beautiful game with achievable
weight loss goals for men.
Aimed at men with a BMI of higher than 27.5, the total amount of weight
lost by MAN v FAT players in the UK currently stands at more than
750,000 pounds.
In addition to football sessions, MAN v FAT players also 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.
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.
Find out more at: https://manvfatrugby.com/
To find out more about MAN v FAT Football and to locate your closest
club, visit www.manvfat.com/football
