Tips for your first MAN v FAT Football season

It’s perfectly natural to not know what to expect from your MAN v FAT Football experience – like anything, it’s hard to know what it’s going to be like until you’ve actually done it.

Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of men lose weight through MAN v FAT Football sessions in the UK and Australia. They’ve all been where you are, nervously wondering what it’s going to be like and what you’re getting yourself into, so we asked members of the MAN v FAT Football Player Community on Facebook for their tips for someone who is just starting out with their first MAN v FAT Football season, and this is what they had to say…

“Turn up and don’t worry about how good or rubbish you are at football! With confidence, you’ll improve. Just concentrate on your weight loss – my team came second in the league by 3 points, we only won 1 game on the pitch, yet we bossed the weight loss!”

“Have fun, and don’t take the football too seriously. You’ll make lifelong friends this way. Use the WhatsApp groups to communicate with your team and build a good team spirit. Encourage each other with weight loss tips and be a team through and through. Don’t be hard on players that struggle, encourage them and help them out as you don’t know what they’re going through in life.”

“You’d be surprised at how many players suffer mental health issues and anxiety especially. Everyone is welcoming, and if you can take the plunge you’ll find that you’ll gradually come out of your shell.”

“If you ever struggle with mental health problems, don’t be afraid to speak up, because I guarantee that there are loads of other blokes in your league who are feeling the exact same way and we’re all a friendly bunch.”

“Bond with the rest of the players. Yes, they’re opposition players, but ultimately they’re just blokes wanting to lose weight too and they’ll have tips for you just as much as you them. A new league thrives off a community spirit. Keep the rivalry friendly and on the pitch, off the pitch help each other out!”

“On your first game, you’ll get on that pitch and think you’re 14 years old again in the prime of your fitness. You’ll chase the ball like a loony for 5 minutes and then realise you’re not that young fit lad you used to be. Don’t worry, we all did it!”

“Listen to your body! I can’t stress this enough. I’ve seen players push themselves beyond their limits and end up injured. I did it myself playing with broken ribs and leg injuries, in the end it’s not worth the pain and suffering”.

“If you’re like me and your adult life has been sedentary, don’t forget to buy muscle tape. It helps with those thighs!”

“Get ready for everything to change!”

“Don’t worry if you’re not the best footballer, or if you have weeks that aren’t perfect. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”

“Use the support network you have with your teammates and your coach and celebrate every success you have. Whether it’s a 0.1kg loss or a 10kg loss, treat every one as a huge victory. Set small goals and watch them pile up into huge ones and you’ll notice the difference.”

“Don’t give up. Signing up to MAN v FAT Football is the best choice you’ll ever make!”

“Just know that after the first ten minutes of your first game, you’ll feel like your lungs are bursting! It does, however, get better after that as you get fitter.”

“Enjoy it. Live it, love it, just give it a go and do your best. So many people are there to help you. We’re a family moving together to help each other with our targets, whether they’re physical or mental, we’re all here to help and to create a better life for us and everyone around us.”

“Buy some comfy boots!”