Men who have signed up to a fat-fighting football club in have shed a huge 62 stone between them. The Man v Fat programme aims to help men lose weight through playing the beautiful game. The club meets every Friday night at Truro College, with players weighed at the start of each session to monitor their weight loss progress across a week.
Thirty-minute games of six-a-side football then take place. Extra goal bonuses are awarded to teams based on their weight loss. A team’s combined weight loss and match scores then contribute to its league position within a club.
The main aim of Man v Fat is to lose weight but organisers say participants have also formed strong friendships and improved their mental and all-round physical wellbeing. The clubs encourage body positivity, non-judgemental behaviour and losing weight at a healthy pace. The club’s coach Poppy Wonnacott said: "The best thing about coaching MAN v FAT Football Truro is the players.
All the guys show up for themselves and each other, week in - week out. Despite the natural rivalry and humour between the different teams, they're really supportive and encouraging to each other on and off the pitch, celebrating wins and milestones. It's a privilege to witness.
"I see how friendships, support and camaraderie help to build confidence. It’s an honest environment for the guys to be in. You can say if you're struggling, it's okay to have not had a great week, it's okay to show up as you are.
" According to Public Health E.