MAN v FAT Isle Of Wight Clubs Help Local Men Lose A Tonne Of Weight

MAN v FAT Football clubs in Cowes and Sandown have helped local men from across the Island lose over one tonne of excess weight in 2024.

MAN v FAT is a weight loss initiative that aims to help overweight and obese men with a BMI of over 27.5 lose unhealthy weight through weekly football and lifestyle coaching sessions.

Ray Richardson who plays at the MAN v FAT Cowes has lost an impressive 10 stone with the help of the programme.

He explains:

“I started MAN v FAT at 24 and a half stone, I’m now 14 and a half stone - so I’ve lost 40 per cent of my starting body weight.

“I’ve been playing football since I was 5 years-old, however when I hit 21, I dislocated my knee and couldn’t play for a couple of years. I went into managing teams as I still wanted to be involved, though put on a lot of weight during that time. 

“Nine months later, I have hit my target of losing over 62kg."

Richard Crick, Head of MAN v FAT added:

“Ray is a shining example of how MAN v FAT can facilitate men changing their lives for the better.

His story is just one of many men from across the Isle of Wight who attend our sessions every week initially, with the goal of losing weight, but who also make great friendships with like-minded men in similar positions to their own.

“Ray is now among our top 20 ‘biggest losers’ of all-time in terms of weight loss, but it’s also hugely rewarding to hear that he rediscovered his love of the beautiful game and has become a figurehead at the Cowes club.”

8,400 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 and healthy lifestyle coaching sessions.