Isle Of Wight Football Mad Men Shed The Pounds

Isle of Wight men have shown the red card to more than 425kg of weight, with help of football-focused MAN v FAT healthy lifestyle programme.

Working in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council and in line with the local authority’s ‘We Can Be Active’ strategy, the football-focused weight loss programme has helped 50 men from the Isle of Wight get playing and get fitter.

Following the early success, weight loss provision for men on the Island is to be extended in the coming months, to also incorporate MAN v FAT Challenge, an online weight loss programme for men aged 18+.

The MAN v FAT Football club on the Isle of Wight takes place at The Bay CE School, The Fairway, Sandown on Tuesday evenings from 8pm. MAN v FAT is specifically aimed at overweight and obese men with a BMI of higher than 27.5.

The Isle of Wight side has spaces for new players and its organisers are encouraging more local men to get involved. In addition, new players from certain postcode areas on the Island may be able to benefit from a free first 14-week season (subject to a £10 refundable deposit upon completion of the course) funded by Isle of Wight Council, which works in collaboration with MAN v FAT.

Before matches, players are weighed, which is followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on the amount of weight players have lost. Weight loss and match scores then contribute to teams’ league positions within a club. Players receive additional support, including healthy meal recipe ideas and tips on general fitness.

Brett O’Harrow, a player at the Isle of Wight club who has lost 42 pounds (3 stone) after only 10 weeks with MAN v FAT, said:

“The scoring system really motivates you to lose weight because you can gain so many extra goals from weight loss and this can positively affect your team’s standing in the league table.

“There is a real sense of achievement and everyone is very welcoming. The programme is really beneficial and as a club we have seen many other health benefits as well as great combined weight loss. It’s great to have the opportunity to play with like-minded men who are all on the same journey. There is no judgement either, just support and a chance to have a kick-around too.”

Graeme Craig, who coaches the Isle of Wight club, added:

“We’re extremely proud of the crop of players that joined the new club, who are scoring goals on and off the pitch - and who are working hard towards a healthier future for themselves.

"Losing weight requires real dedication and the accountability to each other that MAN v FAT brings, places emphasis on losing weight together, as a team.”

For men on the Island who may not fancy football as a means to lose weight, MAN v FAT also offers a digital programme challenge, where weight loss and wellbeing is supported by weekly nutrition and exercise challenges. Men work in teams to win their weekly fixtures by scoring the most points in those tasks.

Ben Middleton, MAN v FAT Challenge Lead, said:

“Following on from the amazing successes of MAN v FAT, we are really pleased to announce Challenge, a digital weight loss programme just for men. Still utilising the same gamification element of weight loss, men are put into teams and complete weekly challenges based around nutrition, exercise, and building healthy habits. This fun way of losing weight can be done around a hectic work/life balance, and is already seeing some great results!

“The club has spaces for new players and we welcome anyone who is looking to lose weight through football to sign-up via the website and come and join us for a kick-about. MAN v FAT isn’t just about football, it’s making a positive change, learning about healthy lifestyle, making new friends and having fun.”

MAN v FAT is an FA-affiliated scheme, which has more than 8,000 players taking part in over 150 clubs across the UK. The programme was created by Andrew Shanahan, who, fed-up with traditional weight loss classes primarily aimed at women, decided to develop a programme that combines the beautiful game with achievable weight loss goals for men.