Newcastle man sheds nearly 4.5 stone with MAN v FAT programme
A Newcastle man has shed nearly 4.5 stone after joining a local, FA-accredited football programme.
Luke Foster, 42, weighed almost 23 stone when he first joined MAN v FAT Newcastle in January 2023.
After foot problems forced him to stop for a few months, he rejoined in August 2024 and says he has never looked back.
Mr Foster said: "MAN v FAT has had a massive impact on my lifestyle.
"I used to be very much, go to work, come home, and do nothing.
"Now I am playing football twice a week and have just started to go to the gym again.
"It has helped my relationship with food.
"I really watch what I eat.
"Don't get me wrong, I still have a drink on a Friday night, but it's not as excessive as it once was."
The Newcastle MAN v FAT Football club, which meets every Monday evening at NUCASTLE, the Newcastle United Foundation on Diana Street, has helped 56 local men lose more than 31 stone in excess weight between them in the last year.
MAN v FAT is a weight loss initiative that aims to help overweight and obese men with a BMI of more than 27.5 lose unwanted weight through weekly football and lifestyle coaching sessions.
At sessions, players are weighed, followed by a 30-minute game of six-a-side football, with extra goal bonuses awarded to teams based on their weight loss.
A team's total weight loss and match scores then contribute to its position within a club's overall league table.
Mr Foster said: "I would recommend MAN v FAT.
"Everyone is there to help you, as they are all in the same boat and, if anything, it will get you moving.
"That's the best thing about it.
"I now play on Monday evenings and have started a couple of social games as well."
According to the Newcastle City Council Director of Public Health Report 2023, 64 per cent of adults aged 18 and over in Newcastle are classified as overweight or obese (https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/sites/default/files/NCC%20Director%20of%20Public%20Health%20Annual%20Report%202023.pdf).
Richard Crick, head of MAN v FAT, said: "Luke and all the guys at our Newcastle club have been drawn to our programme through a love of football and being part of a team.
"What they have gone on to achieve both individually and as a key part of the club we have in Newcastle is fantastic.
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"Our Newcastle club has spaces for new players, so if you're looking to make a positive change to your lifestyle, get in touch."
To find out more about MAN v FAT Football and to locate your closest club, visit www.manvfat.com/football.
A rugby club offering on the MAN v FAT model is also being rolled out, with more information available at https://manvfatrugby.com/.
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