‘One of the best days of my life’ – MAN v FAT’s Amazing Losers face off at Stoke City
There aren’t many weight-loss programmes that offer its members the opportunity to play at a professional football stadium – but that’s exactly what nearly 100 MAN v FAT Football players got to do at Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium at the end of May.
MAN v FAT is a simple, proven programme that helps men of all ages lose weight in a healthy, enjoyable way – by playing football.
The concept is fairly straightforward, with players joining teams of guys looking to shed some kilos by playing weekly games, officiated by qualified referees.
You don’t have to come as a group and can join alone. This helps with the difficulty of men creating and maintaining friendly relationships, too.
Moreover, having a peer support network like with MAN v FAT is proven to be beneficial when losing weight. So, there really is no better way to get healthy and make some great friends along the way.
READ: Everything you need to know about MAN v FAT, the unique way for men to lose weight
The ‘Amazing Losers Day’ saw both the National MAN v FAT XIs Final and the Amazing Losers Match take place, with over 400 supporters in attendance.
The final saw Preston narrowly defeat reigning champions West Brom in a seven-goal thriller, with the Lancashire side winning 4-3 after an enthralling encounter.
Then it was the Amazing Losers Match, featuring over 30 players who had lost 30% or more of their body weight on MAN v FAT.
Managed by former players Jim Magilton and Peter Taylor, it was ‘Taylor’s Titans’ who were 4-0 victors. But it’s fair to say everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day regardless of the result as they got to celebrate their personal achievements from the past 12 months.
Luke Nesbit: ‘It’s been amazing’
After the game, Luke Nesbit of Taylor’s Titans, from Colchester, as well as Abdi Ahmed, from Nottingham were asked about their day.
Luke has lost a staggering 72 kilos so far and puts it down to MAN v FAT and the support he has got from everyone involved with the programme.
“I think the day went really well,” he said. “I played for a team that’s never played together or let alone met each other.
“We gelled so well after a few minutes of settling in and we played like any other 11-a-side team.”
When asked about what it’s like to be able to play at the bet365 Stadium, Luke added: “Oh it’s been amazing. I’ve played at Colchester’s stadium a few times, but playing at a stadium for a team that’s been in the Premier League was amazing.
“Especially having someone like Peter Taylor [as manager] is quite special.”
When asked how he got into MAN v FAT, Luke added: “I signed up for MAN v FAT because I wanted to get back to playing football.
“It’s been amazing for me because I’ve got that accountability each week. We have the weighing in and also the friendship and it’s such a great environment.”
Abdi Ahmed: ‘It was one of the best days of my life’
Luke’s team-mate, Abdi (below), who has lost an amazing 42 kilograms, added: “I’ll be frank, it was one of the best days of my life.
“For someone who loves playing football and to come to a ground like this… most people will never have this opportunity, let alone to be selected in the manner that we did. And, I was lucky enough to get a goal.
“For me, the day kind of calculates the entire journey and shows the entire progress that you’ve made.
“Also, you feel like with the crowd coming to support you – that’s amazing. You could hear their screams all the way through. There were so many voices there… It was priceless for me.”
Asked what motivated him to sign up for MAN v FAT, Abdi said: “It was on my birthday, a year ago.
“I was at the hospital, and I realised I spent my birthday very worried about my health and my future.
“It was a real wake-up call, to know that if you don’t change your life you’re gonna shorten your lifespan.
“I went home that night and thought to myself I can’t continue to live life as I am now… that was the awakening point for me.”
Start your MAN v FAT journey today
There is no better time to start your MAN v FAT journey than right now.
If you want to turn your life around just like Luke and Abdi have, it’s incredibly easy to sign up.
All you have to do is find your local club and start playing! With the fun of football and the support of the friends you’ll make, you can achieve anything.
READ MORE: Cheers, tears and beers: F365 hear inspiring stories behind innovative male weight-loss programme