MAN v FAT Bristol North’s Paul Stone is closing in on his BMI Boss status and believes the atmosphere in the club has played a big part in his successes.
Paul has shed 13kg since starting on the programme and has relished his time with the lads in the West Country group.
Here’s what he had to say about his time with MAN v FAT so far:-
What is it about MAN v FAT that has worked for you in your weight loss and wellbeing efforts?
What worked for me with MAN v FAT was having a clear, achievable goal to focus on. I’d always known I should lose weight, but after I stopped exercising and got older my weight crept up. Rejoining a gym felt like the right thing to do, but it became a chore and didn’t fit my lifestyle, so I eventually gave up. MAN v FAT gave me a realistic target and a structure I could stick to, which made the whole process manageable and sustainable.
What do you like best about the MAN v FAT Bristol community?
What I like best about MAN v FAT Bristol is the community. On the pitch there’s a healthy competitive edge — everyone wants to play well and win — but off the pitch it’s completely different: people are there for the same reasons, to get healthier, lose weight, enjoy football, and support one another. That mix of friendly competition and genuine camaraderie keeps me motivated, makes attending fun, and turns what could be a chore into something I actually look forward to.
What would you say to any guy in the area thinking of joining the programme?
Just try it — visit a club and see what it’s like. That’s exactly what I did. I was worried about my skill level and whether I’d be able to compete, but that turned out to be the last thing I needed to worry about. The sessions are welcoming, the standard is varied, and everyone is focused on getting healthier rather than judging ability. You’ll quickly find it’s more about having fun, getting fit, and being part of a supportive group than being the best player on the pitch.
What are your longer term health and wellbeing goals?
My long term goal is simple: to stay fit and keep playing every week. With the club’s tracking system and the coach’s support I now know what I should be eating and how to manage my weight week to week. Some weeks are better than others for diet and exercise, but being aware of those fluctuations and having a plan for when they happen is something I wasn’t doing before. That awareness — combined with the routine of training and the social support — helps me maintain progress, protect my mobility, and enjoy football for the long term.
Want to join Paul in action?
We have two great clubs in Bristol – to find out more details, take a look at the Bristol Central and Bristol North homepages!
If Rugby is more your bag, we have that on offer too!
