The World Cup has had everyone focussed on the beautiful game but, across the USA, men participating in MAN v FAT are playing a different version of soccer.
Through the course of their first season with MAN v FAT Soccer, we’re keeping in touch with a number of players to find out more about their time with us.
Here’s the latest!
Michael Vayner, Katy
How are you settling into your MAN v FAT Soccer team and league?
It’s been really good. The guys in our group are really motivated and excited. Lots of support for each other and cheering each other on to achieve goals. Supporting each other on the pitch.
What have you enjoyed the most and what have you found the most challenging?
Meeting the guys, getting to know them and their stories has been one of the best parts.
Challenging, just keeping the mindset of keeping to a strict mindset of what to eat, and not getting lost in the pantry!
How are the team starting to bond, on and off the field?
Bonding is great. We are all getting along well, and we play pick games every Friday night with all 4 Houston Clubs. World Cup is also bringing us together sharing pictures and stories of this year’s games.
What has been the biggest revelation or ‘Eureka!’ moment for you so far when it’s come to losing weight with MAN v FAT?
It’s not hard to lose weight if you just stay disciplined enough to understand what works and what doesn’t. Zac our coach has been great in supporting that for us.
Haadi Haasan, Katy
How are you settling into your MAN v FAT Soccer team and league?
I am settling well into MAN v FAT! I am learning the game and having a lot of fun doing so. I really enjoy being with my team. We have been winning on the pitch and on the scales, which has felt awesome!
What have you enjoyed the most and what have you found the most challenging?
The weight cut has been the most challenging, people all of a sudden are offering me the most delicious food and I have to refuse! All jokes aside, trying to create a sustainable routine and relationship with food has been tough but I’m enjoying the process.
The most enjoyable part has been the camaraderie with my team and other players.
How are the team starting to bond, on and off the field?
The team is awesome, I think the success of our games has really brought us together and we motivate each other to be better.
What has been the biggest revelation or ‘Eureka!’ moment for you so far when it’s come to losing weight with MAN v FAT?
The ‘Eureka’ moment for me was learning how water weight works and how to retain and lose it. It has been great for me and the scales.
Steve Kim, Carrollton Wednesdays
How are you settling into your MAN v FAT Soccer team and league?
Settling in to MAN v FAT has been an ultra smooth process! It really is a matter of simply showing up on Wednesdays. The encouragement for tracking your eating habits is probably the “hardest” thing… as it really makes you come to terms with your dietary habits. Awareness precedes change!
What have you enjoyed the most and what have you found the most challenging?
I love my teammates and the team I’m on! Everyone is supportive not only on game day but also throughout the week. It’s been fun joking around with ’em and having the World Cup happening in the background definitely makes it more fun and easier to chat. Our captain is also a great representative of our team – he’s kind, committed, understanding, level-headed, and encouraging.
As far as most challenging, ensuring buy-in to the process across all team members, like getting tracking going and consistent weight loss. The off-field points are where the gold is at!
How are the team starting to bond, on and off the field?
I have had a couple people join me in an entirely separate, personal pick-up group session that I organize. It’s great not only to have more people playing, but also it’s an additional effort towards losing weight!
What has been the biggest revelation or ‘Eureka!’ moment for you so far when it’s come to losing weight with MAN v FAT?
Tracking! When it hits you in the face of what you’re putting in your body, it really puts it into perspective. Bodies really are made in the kitchen. I might be increasing my caloric output with additional futbol sessions, but I can’t be eating Jack in the Box afterwards! And tracking has helped me put this bad habit to rest. Eating fruit has felt like a bit of a cheat code!
Brian Thorpe, West Houston
How are you settling into your MAN v FAT Soccer team and league?
We have a great group of guys on our team that support and encourage our teammates to lose weight each week. Even when they do not have a successful week, we stay positive and tell them to get back on track for the current week.
The league we are in is supportive of one another and everyone seems genuinely happy to see everyone each week on our shared journey. We compete on the field but before and after it feels like everyone is on the same team.
What have you enjoyed the most and what have you found the most challenging?
I have really enjoyed the entire group of men in our league. Everyone has been supportive regardless of what team they are on. It has been a fun experience. I also didn’t realize how much I missed playing football. It was my favorite sport to play and it feels really good being back on the pitch.
The most challenging part has been moderating my portions but using the calorie counter in my food journal has helped me make better decisions on the amount and types of food I am consuming.
How are the team starting to bond, on and off the field?
Our team is starting to finally come together. We have had a few injuries that have left us a little short handed but I think we are close to having a full squad which has been nice.
Off the field, our team is pretty active on WhatsApp. Checking in on our injured or absent teammates and providing encouragement and advice for those asking questions or needing information.
What has been the biggest revelation or ‘Eureka!’ moment for you so far when it’s come to losing weight with MAN v FAT?
For me the biggest revelation was choosing to eat healthier and tracking what I was eating which has enabled me to lose weight each week since joining MAN v FAT. When you are honest about what you are eating you tend to make smarter choices.
Want to join the guys in action?
You can check out all of our current MAN v FAT Soccer locations by visiting www.manvfatsoccer.com!
We’ve got several more stories to tell over the next few days – and we’ll be back in touch with the guys in a couple of weeks’ time!
