Mike is proof that you’re never too old to make a positive change to your health. He’s 63 years young, and is one of the fittest players on the pitch at his MAN v FAT Football league, which is an incredible achievement considering he started off finding it too difficult to do any exercise because of his weight…
Name: Mike Colquhoun
Age: 63
Height: 5’10
Location: Hove
MAN v FAT Football league: Falmer
Occupation: Property investor
Highest weight: 93.4kg (14st 10lbs, 206lbs)
Current weight: 72.1kg (11st 5lbs, 159lbs)
Weight lost: 21.3kg (47lbs, 3st 5lbs)
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
I had gradually put on weight over time as I got older. Basically eating what I wanted and eating too much. I didn’t look good in clothes.
I was also not getting enough exercise as I found it difficult to play football and do other aerobic exercises.
What made you decide to change?
I’d tried to lose weight before quite a few times, but it was always with short-term fad diets that initially worked but then didn’t over time.
But this time I genuinely wanted to lose weight and not put it back on and more. I wanted to be more physically active, and to not look overweight anymore.
What did you do to lose weight?
I joined MAN v FAT Football to try and lose weight, and so I could play football again. I really enjoyed it right from the start, and it was good to talk to others who were doing the same thing, especially talking to those who had lost weight already.
What did you eat before you lost weight?
I ate reasonably healthily (or so I thought!) but my portions were definitely too big.
I ate way too much bread and cheese and also snacked too much.
What do you eat now?
A really varied diet of lean meats, fish and vegetables with a lot of fruit. I have cut down on bread and also drink less beer and have mostly cut out takeaways.
You’re a MAN v FAT Football player – how has this helped you lose weight?
It has given me a great focus to lose weight over a longer period of time. It’s helped me adjust to eating less, and to eating healthier as my everyday norm.
It helps because it’s structured, there’s a great team spirit and support network throughout the whole system.
What would your advice to anyone thinking of joining MAN v FAT Football be?
Do it! I’ve lost over 3 stone and am one of the fittest players on the pitch when we play football – and I’m also one of the oldest!
What has been the most difficult thing about losing weight?
It took a while to get into a routine of eating less and not snacking, but apart from that, I’ve found it quite easy. Just watching the scales every week gave me the confidence to continue.
How has life changed now you’ve lost weight?
I am far more active now. I play football, sometimes 3 times a week, I go for long hill walks in the South Downs, I cycle, play golf, do lots of cardio exercises and am generally a very fit person.
It has totally transformed my life. I had a bad back from being overweight before I lost weight, and my back is much better now.
Time for a shout-out! Who has helped you on your weight loss journey?
I also joined MAN v FAT Challenge and this has been a huge help too. My team captains have been great – Patrick Dargen when I first joined, and then Phil Stonell (who is also an Amazing Loser, read his story here). Everyone within MAN v FAT Football has been really helpful.
If you could go back to the person you were at your heaviest, what would you say to him?
Get a life and lose weight! Just look at what you can achieve.
What are your next steps now that you’ve lost weight?
I plan to maintain my weight as it is, and I’m going to continue to be really physically active.
You’re Prime Minister for the day – what would you do to help combat the obesity crisis?
Tax the hell out of unhealthy fast food, run far more education programs about eating healthily.
What do other fat men need to know about losing weight?
Fad diets are a waste of time.
Take control of exactly what you eat and drink.
Built it into everyday life.
