Getting back on track: Why you deserve another chance
Being part of MAN v FAT means you’ve already made the important decision to put your health first. You made a commitment to show up, participate, and give yourself a real opportunity to make lasting changes. Each member also knows that the journey is not perfect. Life gets busy. Motivation dips. Diet faux pas. Some weeks seem easier than others. None of this makes you a failure. It makes you human.
International Men’s Day is a good moment to remember something important. Men deserve second chances. You deserve another try after a setback, another chance to refocus, and another moment to remind yourself why you started. At MAN v FAT we see this every week in football and rugby communities across the country.
Your weekly chance to reset
Each MAN v FAT session gives you a structured, focused opportunity to put effort into your physical and mental health. The match itself may be short and intense, but what surrounds it is just as important. Warm-ups, team discussions, extra weight, and encouragement from others all add up to a strong weekly routine.
Over the course of a season, this consistency builds real, lasting progress. Even when you feel out of the game, you still have the opportunity to reset, contribute to the game, enjoy it, and move forward.
When progress slows, you’re still moving
Every member has had a week where the scales didn’t change or where their fitness was harder than usual. Progress is not always shown in numbers. Sometimes it shows up in your mood, your self-confidence, your energy levels, or the fact that you feel more connected to the people around you.
Slow progress is still progress. You may notice that you last longer on the field, recover faster, or make better choices outside of sessions. These improvements often occur before weight changes. Every attempt keeps you moving in the right direction even when it doesn’t seem exciting.
You are part of a team that understands
One of the biggest strengths of MAN v FAT is that you are surrounded by people who understand the challenges. Your teammates have felt the same frustration, the same drop in motivation, and the same moments of doubt. They also know what it feels like to turn things around.
Whether you play football or rugby, a community gives you responsibility, support and a sense of belonging. The team environment makes it easy to get back to work, even after a tough week.
Take the pressure off perfection
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you need to be perfect every week. But perfection was never the goal. Appearance matters much more. The little moments add up. A good chat before the game, putting in more effort during the game, or choosing to turn up even when you’re feeling your best all make a difference.
International Men’s Day encourages us to recognize these daily strengths. The strength to try again. The strength to carry on. The strength to seize another chance.
Your next step starts this week
No matter how well the last week went, you have another opportunity coming. You don’t have to be at your peak to benefit. Just show up and give everything you can on the day.
You deserve another chance to feel good about your body, enjoy your sport, and connect with your team. Your next opportunity is already waiting for you.
Your move this week
Do one thing today that moves you forward.
Send a message to your team, get your tools ready, think of one habit you can improve on this week, or simply commit to showing up to the next session. Every effort matters and every restart matters.
You are already part of this. You really belong here. Your next opportunity starts now.