A 31-year-old rugby player from Gloucestershire has made an incredible transformation by shedding almost 70lbs in a year after deciding to switch sports. Josh Witts, who used to weigh 23.5 stone, joined a football group for men called MAN v FAT to kickstart his weight loss journey. Despite being active and playing rugby three times a week, Josh grew tired of always being known as the ‘biggest guy in the room’. He decided to make a change and has since lost over 4.5 stone since April last year with the help of the MAN v FAT programme.
MAN v FAT is not your typical weight loss class. It combines football with achievable weight loss goals specifically designed for overweight and obese men with a BMI above 27.5. During a typical session, players are weighed before hitting the pitch to battle it out, with the results from matches combining with individual weight loss progress throughout the week. These individual weight loss results and scores on the pitch collectively contribute to a team’s position in the club’s overall league table.
Josh shared, “I was fed up of being the biggest guy in the room by quite some distance a lot of the time. I used to be a very active person playing rugby three times a week and other sports, but I had to stop due to health reasons. I gained a lot of weight post-rugby and reached a point where I had enough of being tired and in pain due to my weight.” Despite facing challenges like dislocating his knee five weeks into his weight loss journey, Josh remained dedicated to his diet and continued to lose weight with the support of his MAN v FAT teammates and loved ones.
Before embarking on his weight loss journey, Josh admitted his diet was poor, consisting of sweets, chocolates, crisps, takeaways, and processed foods. However, with the help of MAN v FAT, he has transformed his eating habits by following a structured plan. Josh now sticks to a five-day low-calorie diet, reserving the weekends for indulging in his favorite treats. He has learned that even the smallest progress in weight loss is a significant achievement and keeps him motivated to continue on his journey to a healthier lifestyle.
Through his participation in MAN v FAT, Josh not only saw physical changes but also improvements in his mental and emotional well-being. He emphasized the positive impact of the programme on social connections, stating, “From a mental and wellbeing standpoint it’s brilliant – socially, I’ve made some great friends and the people I’ve met through the programme inspire me.” Josh’s confidence has soared, allowing him to enjoy activities with his energetic family members without feeling self-conscious about his size.
Now, Josh is reaping the rewards of his hard work and determination, having lost 4.5 stone and gained back his zest for life. He encourages others on their weight loss journey to stay positive mentally and celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, as a step in the right direction towards a healthier future. Josh’s inspiring story serves as a testament to the transformative power of making positive lifestyle changes and finding the right support system to achieve personal goals.