Slimmers score at football programme
MAN V FAT CHALLENGE HITS THE BACK OF THE NET
A football weight loss programme exclusively for men who want to lose unwanted pounds has celebrated the end of a successful season. Sixty-one men who have taken part in the national Man v Fat Football project have lost a combined weight of 44.4 stone during the 14-week programme. The programme combines organised and competitive sport with an easy to follow diet and 24/7 online and offline support. There are traditional weighins before each game which are followed by a 30-minute game of 6-a-side football. Players are put into teams and battle against each other in their own Man v Fat Football league. Teams gain points for results in their matches as well as points for achieving their weight loss goals. George, who takes part in the sessions every Wednesday evening at the Beacon of Light said: “I joined the Man v Fat Football programme to get healthier and try to lose some weight. “It has been a complete lifestyle change and by taking part I have lost two stone and two pounds, which is nearly 10% of my body weight. “It has been hard but with the support of the group and playing football it didn’t seem like a weight loss programme. I now feel better than ever and motivated to keep losing.” Recruitment is now underway for the next season, which starts this week, and players can enrol at www.manvfat. com – please note, you do not have to have a team to enter the programme. Liz Barton-Jones, head of sport and wellbeing added: “It’s great to see how much weight the men have lost. I have seen how hard it has been for them and how much work they have put in. Obesity is a problem in the region and by offering a programme like this at the Beacon of Light we aim to continue to help making a change.” Foundation of Light is launching a women’s weight loss and health programme in October called ‘Ha’Weigh the lasses!’ Man v Fat and Ha’weigh The Lasses are delivered from the Beacon of Light, Sunderland’s newest sports, events, health and education venue which includes a 4G indoor rooftop football barn capable of hosting 7-a-side and 5-a-side games, a versatile indoor arena and more.
which will similarly aim to improve women’s health through small lifestyle changes and fun exercise sessions. For more information, follow @FoL_Beacon on Twitter