MAN v FAT Exeter member Paul Bitmead has had his life transformed by being a part of the south west club – recently hitting his 35% weight loss total.
65-year-old Paul has continued to hit new landmarks throughout his time with MAN v FAT and, after struggling with weight for most of his life, now finds himself down to 81kg.
He told us: “About a year and half ago I weighed around 21 stone, and I made the decision that I had to do something to address my weight.
“I realised that diet and exercise were the key, but I also realised that I had to find a way to be accountable for my decisions. I also wanted to find something that could make the journey fun.”
The community spirit and fun at weekly sessions delivered by the Exeter City Community Trust has proven to be a great find for Paul, who told us: “I came across MAN v FAT and thought it sounded interesting, so I signed up.
“It was the best decision I’ve made. It is the cornerstone of my success.
“The staff are really supportive, but it’s the other players that make it such a positive experience.
“It’s a really supportive and non-judgemental environment. We all celebrate each other’s successes, and we all go out of our way to offer our support and encouragement when others are struggling.
“It’s also really, really good fun. The football is played at a decent level but, importantly, is played in the right spirit. Skill levels vary, but I’ve never heard anything bad said when someone makes a mistake. I’ve made loads.”
The Exeter club continues to go from strength to strength and Paul has urged anyone thinking of getting started to get involved.
He finished by saying: “I would encourage anyone who thinks they might like to join, to pop along to a session and see it for themselves.
“I was over 21 stone when I started. I had a 50 inch chest and a 44 inch waist. I’m now under 13 stone with a 40 inch chest and a 32 inch waist.
“It’s been hard, but I genuinely believe I couldn’t have done it without the help of my friends at MAN v FAT.”
Want to follow Paul’s lead?
If Paul’s successes have inspired you, then you can join your local MAN v FAT club today! Take a look at Exeter’s homepage here or find your closest club by searching on our website.
