Little by little and bit by bit is a great approach to weight loss. It may be a cliche, but it’s definitely true that the weight didn’t go on overnight and it won’t come off overnight either.
Amazing Loser Jordan has found this to be the best way to tackle weight loss and it has been very successful. It’s also given him a much-needed confidence boost – because he can do it.
Name: Jordan Skinner
Age: 24
Location: Chesterfield
Height: 6′ 5″
Starting weight: 157.4kg (24st 11lbs, 347lbs
Current weight: 140.6kg (22st 2lbs, 310lbs)
Weight lost: 16.8kg (2st 9lbs, 37lbs)
What was your life like before you joined MAN v FAT Football?
I’ve always been tall, but I’ve been on the bigger side all my life – I was on the other side of big.
I’d tried boxing and the gym in the past but I lost interest in them quite quickly as they just didn’t interest me. I’ve always snacked a lot as it made me feel better, and it was easy to eat and find fatty foods such as takeaways, crisps etc. It was a craving that I found turned into a habit.
Why did you decide to lose weight?
When I used to get out of breath going up the stairs and doing simple things I knew it was time to change. I was tired and lazy a lot. Having no energy makes you really fed up and you soon get into bad habits.
I’d always wanted to lose weight but never found the right thing to keep my head straight and help me carry on without reverting back to bad habits.
I’ve always struggled to find clothes to fit me in shops. I struggle anyway because of how broad and tall I am, nevermind the other part! I’ve also always wanted to make myself a better person for my partner.
What did you eat before you lost weight?
Well, I work in the motor trade so junk food is easily obtained put it that way!
I used to have cereal or toast which is pretty normal for breakfast. However, at work I used to have a snack when the pasty van used to come round before dinner, I thought nothing of it as it was a snack and I kept moving being in a physical job.
Dinner time I used to have sandwiches but with the crisps, the chocolate, sausage rolls etc., it soon mounts up.
Finally, when I got home I used to snack on a bag of crisps or something before tea. I used to either have a takeaway or have something processed which isn’t always good and can soon be a slippery slope.
What do you eat now?
Now I have my usual breakfast but I try to not put sugar on my cereal – or if I do, just a bit. I use low-fat butter for my toast and I have nothing til dinner, just the odd cup of tea and flavoured water.
When dinner comes I try and have stuff like soups and things that are filling but not high in fat. It’s mainly just being careful and having low-calorie foods, a low-calorie chocolate bar and yoghurt.
At teatime, I usually eat a lot of chicken – I love the cook in the bag marinade stuff.
I use my air fryer a lot with low-calorie cooking spray. It’s all about portion control I’ve found. You can still enjoy food just as much.
How hard did you find it to lose weight?
I found it hard at first until I saw that I was losing bit by bit – 0.3kg here and there, the next week 0.1kg.
If I didn’t lose as much one week, I know what I did wrong the past week and what to work on. I think it’s really helped me to have a great bunch of lads that I play with as well.
Week by week, little by little it adds up and that’s what it’s all about, it’s not about all these people online that have lost 6 stone in 2 weeks or something crazy, it works differently for everyone.
The most difficult thing for me was believing in myself. I always used to kick myself but you have to look up and into the future and what you want to be.
How has life changed now that you’ve lost weight?
Life has changed for the better now. I recently joined an 11-a-side team in the summer, this is something I’ve never been able to achieve as I’ve never been fit enough or good enough.
The lads in the team and my managers Chris and Clare have always spurred me on and kept me going. I have recently achieved a most improved award which makes me feel so humbled and so proud of myself.
Knowing that week in week out those on the pitch trust me guarding their goal and also that Chris keeps putting me into the lineup means so much and these things are stuff I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.
What are your next steps?
My next steps are to just keep going as I am, losing the weight little by little. Some weeks I am losing over 1kg, so I still shock myself sometimes at my weigh-in!
I want to get better in my ability as a player and carry on getting fitter.
What has it been like playing football at your MAN v FAT Football club?
MAN v FAT Football was where it all started. I play for L’argentina and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be where I am today.
The lads I play with are such a laugh and spur me on, introducing things like wearing a pink tutu for losing weight etc., it just makes you forget your hectic day to day life and it’s a good escape.
It’s also good getting back into a sport I am so passionate about and love playing this is probably why I have stuck at it and kept going. It’s even taken me to St. George’s Park where England train – now that in itself is an honour!
If you could go back to the person you were at your heaviest, what would you say to him?
Believe in yourself and what you can achieve.
What three things do other fat men need to know about losing weight?
- Believe in yourself!
- Little changes and portion control can do a lot.
- Think about your future.
You’re Prime Minister for the day – what do you do to improve the health of the nation?
I believe healthy foods and healthy snacks should be encouraged more.
You never see the end of aisle sale shelves full of healthy options, it’s just always full of chocolate, crisps alcohol etc.
I think more healthy foods should be made and sold in shops.
