Consistency is often the key when it comes to successful weight loss on MAN v FAT.
Whether it’s regular attendance, regular tracking or consistently exercising outside of your MAN v FAT sessions, that positive habit forming can play a big part in achieving your weight loss and wellbeing goals.
For Marcus Elder, a member of our MAN v FAT Bury club, making sure he got along to the weekly sessions at the Neuven Stadium, home of Radcliffe FC, has meant he’s stayed on track with his targets.
Having now surpassed 30kgs lost, we caught up with Marcus to find out how MAN v FAT has supported his efforts.
What is it about MAN v FAT that has worked for you in your weight loss and wellbeing efforts?
When I came to MAN v FAT, I weighed 117kg and I had absolutely no confidence that I could ever lose a significant amount of weight. As soon as I joined there was a first step to achieve and, as I began to lose weight, I could see my personal progress and also how I could contribute to my team’s success. With the support and encouragement of everyone in the club I continued to lose weight.
The team and club Whatsapp groups are brilliant at keeping me honest and connected. The league wins and personal awards I have won have been brilliant in spurring me on to further weight loss and I am proud that since I started I have only missed one week and never gained weight. I can’t put into words how much more confident I feel in my daily life.
From the moment I started in June last year, the support provided by everyone in the club has helped me lose weight. My teams have been brilliant, challenging and celebrating with me and they are now good mates. The social side is great for my general wellbeing. I’m no great shakes as a footballer, but I love playing and I know that doesn’t really matter.
What would you say to any guy in the area thinking of joining the programme?
Do it! The Bury club is full of people like me who thought they could never lose weight. The last year with MAN v FAT completely changed how I look at and how I feel about myself. It’s an amazing community full of honest guys who will help you to achieve your aims if you put the work in too.
What are your longer term health and wellbeing goals?
I reached a healthy BMI at the end of January and since then I’ve hit the 25% target (30kg weight loss). I’m continuing with MAN v FAT, trying to keep my healthy eating and exercise habits and staying within my maintenance weight.
There is a running group which has grown out of the Bury club and it’s become another way to be challenged, increase my activity and keep my healthy lifestyle going. I’ve already managed 5k and 10k runs I thought were definitely a thing of the past for me.
Also, since I started I’ve been focusing on increasing my steps and I want to challenge myself more, heading for the hills more regularly.
Want to join Marcus in action?
You can sign up for Bury via their club homepage! Don’t forget, we have a host of clubs in the Greater Manchester area, so take a look at our website for the one closest to you.
