This week’s Amazing Loser Mark has overcome something that all parents will relate to – that urge to finish off your kid’s leftovers. It does nothing for your waistline, and if we’re honest, cold baked beans and half-eaten sandwiches aren’t exactly haute cuisine, so you won’t be missing out by treating the food bin to a feast instead.
Since getting to grips with calorie counting and making healthy changes, Mark has lost an incredible amount of weight and now has way more energy to boot. Three cheers for Mark!
Name: Mark Lamb
Age: 34
Height: 5’7
Location/MAN v FAT Football league: Oldbury
Occupation: Recruitment consultant
Highest weight: 152kg (23st 13.1lbs, 335lbs)
Current weight: 92kg (14st 6.8lbs, 202lbs)
Weight lost: 60kg (132lbs, 9st 6.3lbs)
How did you get to the position where you needed to lose weight?
During lockdown, food became a crutch. I was beginning to realise that I was lethargic and had lots of headaches, so decided I needed to change.
What negative experiences did you have of being overweight?
I didn’t have enough energy to enjoy time with my kids.
What made you decide to change?
I was buying bigger and bigger clothes and couldn’t exercise at all, which was giving me mental health issues.
What did you do to lose weight?
I tried calorie control initially and tried to get out and start walking to get some exercise.
I have tried to do WW and Slimming World before, but they never stuck long term and I was convinced that if I taught myself about portion/calorie control it would be easier.
I’ve battled with my weight throughout my life so I’d tried to lose weight many times before.
What did you eat before you lost weight?
Breakfast: Large (unweighed) bowl of cereal with whole milk
Lunch: Sandwich, crisps, chocolate bar
Dinner: Large portion of frozen chicken and chips.
Snacks: Sweets and chocolates at night
What do you eat now?
Breakfast: Cereal (40g) and skimmed milk
Lunch: Poached eggs on toast
Dinner: Chicken and vegetable spicy rice is one of my favourites.
My snacks are minimal and calorie-controlled.
You’re a MAN v FAT Football player – how has this helped you lose weight?
When I was halfway through my journey, I started to think that some extra energy would benefit me, so I joined my local league in Oldbury.
The support of my teammates and an open forum to talk about the good and bad points of weight loss without fear of judgement has been incredibly helpful in my weight loss journey.
It works because it gives men a chance to be open, and not feel judged. I used to worry about going to gyms, etc., as I was worried people were staring. But with MAN v FAT Football, you can feel confident with every small step.
What would your advice to anyone thinking of joining MAN v FAT Football be?
No matter your ability on the pitch or what your fitness level is, just do it. Push yourself to do it. You’ll always have support, and you’ll enjoy yourself.
What has been the most difficult thing about losing weight?
I have young kids, and it’s easy to snack on the foods they leave or to grab a takeaway for convenience. But seeing my weight loss results has given me the willpower to avoid these things, and now I can eat my choice of food without the guilt.
How has life changed now you’ve lost weight?
I now run 10km 2/3 times a week. I have so much more energy and I always push myself to try and do new things.
Time for a shout-out! Who has helped you on your weight loss journey?
My wife Lydia and my league coach Neil Glover have both been incredibly supportive with offering advice when I’ve found it hard.
If you could go back to the person you were at your heaviest, what would you say to him?
Make the change, you won’t regret it.
What are your next steps now that you’ve lost weight?
I want to maintain the work I’ve done. I understand calorie control now and I know how I can keep balancing exercise and eating.
You’re Prime Minister for the day – what would you do to help combat the obesity crisis?
Make fruit and veg more accessible financially and put taxes on convenience foods that are just empty calories.
What do other fat men need to know about losing weight?
Take small steps – the weight didn’t go on overnight and it won’t come off overnight.
Be positive – you are your only obstacle, overcome that and it will be much easier.
Talk to people – if things are good tell people and if they are bad, ask for help.
