A man from Aldershot has lost a fifth of his body weight after he joined a local FA-accredited football-based healthy lifestyle programme known as MAN V FAT.
The 43-year-old said he was struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic with mental health issues and excessive weight gain, but since he joined the programme he says it has enabled him to “breathe again” after losing nearly 3.5 stones (22.1kg).
Ben Kane started with MAN V FAT in September 2023 with a weight of just over 16 and a half stone and had developed chronic health issues. He persuaded himself to join the program after he’d gained another five pounds saying he “felt awful” because he had never been so heavy in his life.
“I tried the gym and felt embarrassed; I tried running and I got injured. In general I just never felt comfortable doing anything in my own skin anymore.” Ben said.
But, since being a part of the programme for over a year, he was excited to say some of the chronic health issues he had developed have “now all completely cleared up (and) I feel amazing”.
Ben had “not played football for around twelve years”, before joining the team in September 2023 where he says “the community and camaraderie between the lads there is amazing”
(Image: Astute)
“The community and camaraderie between the lads there is amazing. Everyone is supportive, we all celebrate health and weight loss together and everyone drives each other on.”
MAN V FAT has teams across the UK, in Surrey, there are teams in Guildford, Woking. Just outside our county you will find teams in the aforementioned Aldershot, Sutton, Slough, Horsham, Wimbledon and many more.
In 2024, a total of 107 players at the Aldershot club have lost a combined 57 stone between them just through playing small-teamed football weekly and incorporating the healthy lifestyle advice the programme provides.
But, they play football with a special twist; firstly, the programme is for men with a BMI of 27.50 or over. But additionally, before battling it out on the pitch, all players are weighed, and the results from matches are combined with a player’s individual weight loss throughout a week. This then goes on to to contribute to an overall league table in which winners can receive real rewards and prizes.
Not only this, but according to MAN V FAT, the programme isn’t just about losing weight, with the men taking part also discovering the mental health benefits of getting active, while also creating new friendships. In addition to football sessions, players also receive off-the-pitch support which includes advice on healthy meal recipe ideas and their more general fitness.
All players also get free access to a bespoke mental health platform through the programme’s partners JAAQ, alongside webinars and other online resources with the MAN V FAT gym.
Before joining the programme, Ben weighed over 16 stone and “felt awful” about his health and fitness
(Image: Astute)
The 43-year-old Ben said: “As someone who has suffered from depression and anxiety, MAN v FAT has been such a natural relief and escape. It’s enabled me to ‘breathe again’.”
“I’ve made new friends in a new area and my mental health has never been better in terms of anxiety, a lot of which came down to excessive weight gain. I feel better now than I’ve felt in the last 15 years.”
According to its website, over 90 per cent of players lose weight and get fitter when they join one of the MAN V FAT teams. It costs £35 a month to join the programme, however participants may qualify for funding through their local councils for members registering with certain postcodes.
All Surrey County Council postcodes can qualify for this funding scheme through One You Surrey, you can find out if you are eligible when you search for your local team on the MAN V FIT website. Depending on which team you join, the weekly sessions can last one to two hours.
“Before joining MAN V FAT, I’d not played football for around twelve years. I missed the banter and camaraderie just as much as the football and the fitness, but I never thought I’d be able to find somewhere that I could keep playing and have such a laugh.”
“The weekly accountability and chance to score points for a team keeps me driven. Also, as someone who has suffered from depression and anxiety, MAN V FAT has been such a natural relief and escape.” Ben went onto say.
To find your closest club and learn more about the MAN v FAT programme, visit www.manvfat.com/football